POSTAL workers have got a whiff of a potential problem in the office -- after being warned that bosses could create a stink over their foul smells.

A stream of workers in Blackburn's delivery office have told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that the Royal Mail has warned workers about breaking wind while on duty.

Today a spokesman for the Royal Mail said he would not comment on individual personnel issues and denied claims that a notice had been put up about the problem but said: "Workers need to be aware that a problem such as this could constitute harassment."

He added: "If complaints are made to us we take them seriously and we fully investigate and the appropriate action is taken."

Joseph Mulderig, an employment law specialist at Farleys, in Blackburn, said in a recent test case in Ireland a female member of staff successfully took her employer to an industrial tribunal claiming constructive dismissal after he failed to take seriously and take action about a colleague's habit of breaking wind.

East Lancashire Communication Workers Union representative Stuart Caddy said he was only aware that there had been a national briefing paper on harassment and bullying which had been sent out to all offices.

Most of the workers at the office are men and many are aged 18 to 25 which workers said was at the bottom of the problem.

One worker said: "This problem has arisen because they started to employ women in the office and several of them complained about colleagues breaking wind.

"I know of several employees who have been cautioned as a result."

Another said: "The problem in there is horrendous. You have people coming up to you and just breaking wind next to you. It's disgusting.

"I would fully support the notice."

While another said: "It is a problem because you are working in such close proximity and it is such a male dominated environment."

Another worker said he knew of someone who had been called into the office because of breaking wind, but it was bound to be a problem because there were so many lads in the department aged 18 to 25.

Two other workers giggled and said the problem was worse depending on what people had eaten the night before -- especially if they had a curry!

Tony Mullett of the Clean Up Lancashire Campaign said: "I would have thought it would have been a matter of common decency and workers should not have to be dictated to.

"Everyone knows this is not acceptable, I think the notice is over the top."

Mr Mulderig said: "If someone got sacked for this we would have to consider the reasonableness of the employers' actions and all of the circumstances of the case in order to decide whether or not the dismissal was fair.

"Relevant factors would include medical conditions and whether or not an act was committed with the intent of causing distress and harassment to others.

"I personally am not aware of anybody being dismissed for this reason."