Privatisation and The IB

[Lager Chimp]

Would there be any need for them if RM is privatised? How many other private delivery firms have a 'secret police force'?

We'll no longer be charged with the edict of protecting the Queen's mail, as it won't be hers anymore.

[Stormproof]

Will the Official Secrets Act still be applicable if we arn't working for the government?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Would there be any need for them if RM is privatised? How many other private delivery firms have a 'secret police force'?

We'll no longer be charged with the edict of protecting the Queen's mail, as it won't be hers anymore.

Guessing here


Yes but they would be outside and independent of RM and probably become a government police force - like the MOD Plods, or absorbed into the proposed national police force FBI style.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Will the Official Secrets Act still be applicable if we arn't working for the government?

For those who have already signed it yes it would still apply as I believe that signing the OSA is a life long obligation.

For new starters, and those already serving I think we would have to sign a non disclosure clause in a reworded contract.

[fmrPOSTIE]

Will the Official Secrets Act still be applicable if we arn't working for the government?

For those who have already signed it yes it would still apply as I believe that signing the OSA is a life long obligation.

For new starters, and those already serving I think we would have to sign a non disclosure clause in a reworded contract.

Any company can be required to sign the Official Secrets Act, it doesnt have to be owned by the Govt.

[fishtank]

Will the Official Secrets Act still be applicable if we arn't working for the government?

For those who have already signed it yes it would still apply as I believe that signing the OSA is a life long obligation.

For new starters, and those already serving I think we would have to sign a non disclosure clause in a reworded contract.

Signing the Official Secrets Act is simply a reminder...the Act itself is LAW and everyone whether they sign it or not is covered by it.
What you sign when you start with Royal Mail is simply a statement saying that you have read and understood the parts of the Act pertaining to the work you do for the business.
Thousands do this in both private and public companies from directors right up to cleaners.
That won't change after privatisation.
You can sign it more than once....i signed a more full-on version in a previous life and then signed the shortened,more RM specific version when i joined Royal Mail.

[dvbuk55]

Will the Official Secrets Act still be applicable if we arn't working for the government?

For those who have already signed it yes it would still apply as I believe that signing the OSA is a life long obligation.

For new starters, and those already serving I think we would have to sign a non disclosure clause in a reworded contract.

Signing the Official Secrets Act is simply a reminder...the Act itself is LAW and everyone whether they sign it or not is covered by it.
What you sign when you start with Royal Mail is simply a statement saying that you have read and understood the parts of the Act pertaining to the work you do for the business.
Thousands do this in both private and public companies from directors right up to cleaners.
That won't change after privatisation.
You can sign it more than once....i signed a more full-on version in a previous life and then signed the shortened,more RM specific version when i joined Royal Mail.

I knew it ft, you were the Scarlet Pimperknuckle weren't you?

[fishtank]

I knew it ft, you were the Scarlet Pimperknuckle weren't you?

I could tell you but then i'd have to kill you and your avatar...and i couldn't bring myself to kill a dumb animal...or his avatar.

[clashcityrocker]

I see we can add lager chimp's avatar to the list killed by Postman. (top of page)

[dvbuk55]

I knew it ft, you were the Scarlet Pimperknuckle weren't you?

I could tell you but then i'd have to kill you and your avatar...and i couldn't bring myself to kill a dumb animal...or his avatar.

Well you got that right - he's smarter than me

[axeman]

Will the Official Secrets Act still be applicable if we arn't working for the government?

For those who have already signed it yes it would still apply as I believe that signing the OSA is a life long obligation.

For new starters, and those already serving I think we would have to sign a non disclosure clause in a reworded contract.

Any company can be required to sign the Official Secrets Act, it doesnt have to be owned by the Govt.

Not quite the right answer and slightly missleading you only are required to sign if it is deemed to be ''i'd say a government dept, or of national security'' only companys involved in the military supplies etc. If others handling mail are not required to sign it then this outdated practise will be phased out

[fishtank]

That's not the case axeman.
I've personally seen brickies,plasterers,painters,cleaners and all sorts having to sign the statement.
As i said earlier it's just a reminder of an obligation that everyone has under the Official Secrets Act.
The fact that you have signed it simply means that you have read and understood those obligations which makes a prosecution under the Act a great deal easier....the actual LAW doesn't apply to you any differently than any other guy in the street.

[axeman]

fish mate i have been around for many a year and unless they are working on government property or the likes of say telecoms engineers , builders etc working in a government building like an embasy then i havent seen or know of any that have had to sign it and i do know many builders and people who work in and around embasy buildings , government contractors etc....and those who don't .