Royal Mail boss Rico Back displaying a sad derogation of leadership by working from home in Switzerland

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 16 Apr 2020, 11:50

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/com ... -home.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Royal Mail employees have courageously kept letter and parcel services operating in the midst of a crisis. Bank statements, magazines and greetings cards arrive in a timely manner.

In some sorting offices, social distancing has proved tricky and posties carefully have to navigate their way through a thicket of self-isolation when making deliveries.

During this period a letter or small parcel on a birthday, anniversary or bereavement is particularly poignant. So it is surprising chief executive Rico Back has chosen, since the shutdown began on March 23, to hunker down with his family in his main residence in Switzerland.

Many of us have learned over the last several weeks how to work from home using apps such as Zoom and Whatsapp. Those running vital services in these trying times do not have the same luxury.

As the head of the Royal Mail one might have expected Back to visit staff in their workplaces (with the right protective gear) to show solidarity.

The boss also should be at hand in case a crisis such as disputes over conditions in sorting offices or a breakdown of services arises. There might be more sympathy for Back were he making personal sacrifices.

Royal Mail investors (who include most employees) have suffered a dividend cut. But Back, who earns an estimated £2.3m a year, has so far failed to volunteer a pay cut or bonus deferral, leaving decisions to the pay committee.

He is displaying a sad derogation of leadership.

Post by **panzer4** » 16 Apr 2020, 14:40

Sums our beloved leader up perfectly F you I’m alright

Post by **fb1969** » 16 Apr 2020, 14:45

I'm just amazed RM haven't doubled the prices, just to screw the general public as well as the people that actually do the work!

Duesouth · Post by **Duesouth** » 16 Apr 2020, 14:56

It's a shame our great leader has fled the uk, great timing and all that. He did though send a letter to all of us saying how we are doing such a great job to keep his back pocket full. Sorry but this guy is a joke and has no consideration and welfare for what the staff are going through.

Rico mentioned we have invested £15 million on ppe. Great that's because you had too or you would have had even more offices walking out. I wish royal mail would take this virus a little more seriously, but even some of the management think that no one will get it. Only takes one and the whole office could be on lockdown.

bucks123 · Post by **bucks123** » 16 Apr 2020, 15:24

Duesouth wrote:He did though send a letter to all of us saying how we are doing such a great job to keep his back pocket full. Sorry but this guy is a joke and has no consideration and welfare for what the staff are going through.

I received that letter today. Yet again, just as in a communication a few weeks ago, there is a paragraph at the end about the future and the financial state of the business which seems to setting us up for some bad news. Even if this was true I think it is wrong for the company to keep pressing this home right now, we should just be thanked for the work we are doing and putting ourselves at risk. It feels like this crisis is being seen as a perfect vehicle to drive through change once this calms down.

Post by **blue1873** » 16 Apr 2020, 15:28

"Duesouth" your great leader has indeed fled the UK and would appear to be giving
everyone the Fingers from afar

whilst still lining his Back pocket

Post by **postareale** » 16 Apr 2020, 15:31

Could this be how Rico Back flees from London to Zurich?

On a GLS private jet?:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... e506daa5ff

You will note that this aircraft is clearly kitted out in the Royal Mail subsidiary GLS's corporate logo and colours.

Nice touches, like the red carpet, smoked salmon, champagne and other delicacies that are served on board. It does not look much like an aircraft designed to be fit for purpose for air freight connections/transportation of intra-European parcels does it?

Interesting to note that the FB post states, "Our Bravo is available out of Linz, Austria or Zurich, Switzerland and fully available for charter flights all over Europe and North Africa." The same Zurich, Switzerland where Rico Back is a resident? - surely some coincidence?

bowie · Post by **bowie** » 16 Apr 2020, 16:16

No surprise Rico is not in the country the guy has no balls,thanks for the letter today thou not sure what the do not bend is all about thou,just going to have a poo now and wipe my arse in it,what a clown you really are

bishopoflove · Post by **bishopoflove** » 16 Apr 2020, 17:42

What an absolute CLOWN this bloke is, running the company into the ground, he leaves the company with a big wedge in his back pocket thats just to get rid of him, its sold off to someone for next to nothing who then turns it around, the share price goes through the roof, and COCO sells his shares and makes a stonking profit, the mans a GENIUS.

bowie · Post by **bowie** » 16 Apr 2020, 18:13

no Shock there

Dorset Plodder · Post by **Dorset Plodder** » 16 Apr 2020, 21:00

Capitalism ... Red in Tooth and Claw! Why should this surprise you guys? Have we ever had a CEO that wasn't in it to line their own pockets... make a short term gain .... at the cost of long term investment .... and then Bugger Off to Greener Pastures?

You're living in Cloud Cuckoo Land if you really think the Higher Echelons of Royal Mail, or indeed any Large Corporation or Government, actually give Two Shites for the people lower down the pile!

Janet Brum · Post by **Janet Brum** » 16 Apr 2020, 21:41

bucks123 wrote:
Duesouth wrote:He did though send a letter to all of us saying how we are doing such a great job to keep his back pocket full. Sorry but this guy is a joke and has no consideration and welfare for what the staff are going through.
I received that letter today. Yet again, just as in a communication a few weeks ago, there is a paragraph at the end about the future and the financial state of the business which seems to setting us up for some bad news. Even if this was true I think it is wrong for the company to keep pressing this home right now, we should just be thanked for the work we are doing and putting ourselves at risk. It feels like this crisis is being seen as a perfect vehicle to drive through change once this calms down.

3 weeks ago he declared RM has 800 milion in banks and 900 milions credit facility, we are busier than last Christmas since the CV 19 lockdown started meaning he can`t lie to us he has no money.

Bad news? I hope it`s him resigning

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 16 Apr 2020, 23:00

The only saving grace is mr Back is in Switzerland where he has probably purchased all the s**t roll and hand sanitiser in the Canton if not for himself but to sell on and make a quick Swiss frank or two!

sfxdby · Post by **sfxdby** » 17 Apr 2020, 22:59

Lions led by a donkey

Royal Mail boss Rico Back facing calls to return to UK from his Swiss penthouse - or quit

The Mail this week revealed Rico Back has been running the postal delivery company remotely from his £2.3m family home overlooking Lake Zurich since shortly after lockdown measures were announced.

The company's operating chief, Achim Dunnwald, has also been working from his native Germany during the crisis. With thousands of postal workers still delivering mail, critics said it was 'truly a case of lions being led by a donkey'.
Back, 66, is under pressure to take a more hands-on approach and help the 504-year-old firm through one of the most challenging periods in its history.

Investors have urged the company's board to cut executive pay and 'share the pain' after Royal Mail axed its final dividend to conserve cash.

The company's stock is held by hundreds of thousands of small investors, including many postal workers who were handed shares when it was privatised in 2013.

Tory MP Robert Halfon said: 'At a time when thousands of postal workers are heroically risking their own health and the health of their families to serve their communities, it seems astonishing that the head of Royal Mail is hiding away in a Swiss penthouse.

'This is truly a case of lions being led by a donkey.' Cliff Weight, director of Sharesoc, which represents small shareholders, added: 'Why should shareholders buy shares in a company run by a board and chief executive like this, who keep getting themselves into such a pickle?'

A union chief has called for Back to return to the UK or quit, following a row over protective equipment provided to posties and a modernisation programme at the company.

Dave Ward, CWU general secretary, said: 'The UK is gripped by the coronavirus crisis. Postal workers are keeping our communities connected.

'By any measure, it is not acceptable for the chief executive of the UK postal service to live and work abroad – at this, or frankly any other time.'

A Royal Mail spokesman said Back 'is completely focused on our priorities during this unprecedented crisis: protect our people, protect the country and protect our company'.

She added: 'Rico is devoting all his time to the continued delivery of these objectives.

'This includes government advice to work from home unless you absolutely cannot.'

Chelseablue · Post by **Chelseablue** » 18 Apr 2020, 17:26

Alan leighton, adam crozier, moya thatcher and rico trump dont give a toss about ppl thats why they are millionaires . Vile