A POSTWOMAN who said she was forced to work while recovering from surgery was accused by Royal Mail of sending abusive emails.

A tribunal heard yesterday how Pauline McCallion sent “inappropriate” messages while drunk, accusing superiors of ignoring her grievances.

Ms McCallion, from Southport, suffered an internal rupture after being placed immediately on full duties, on her return to work from keyhole surgery, in November, 2008.

She claims managers at Royal Mail’s depot in Southport ignored return to work procedures and lost a report recommending light duties. Ms McCallion is claiming constructive unfair dismissal.

But Royal Mail said that Ms McCallion sent abusive emails to line managers and resigned in fear of being dismissed.

Solicitor Bridget Tokhai, representing Royal Mail, said:

“There was a real possibility disciplinary action would have been taken against the employee, had she not resigned.”

Ms McCallion said she apologised for the emails, which had been sent when she was “at the gates of insanity”.

The tribunal will now make a judgment and inform both parties of the result by letter.