Former Cheltenham postal worker says Horizon software is still faulty
An ex-Post Office worker who believes he had to pay back hundreds of pounds due to faulty accounting software fears hundreds of staff will be in the same situation.
Steve Harvey, who worked at Charlton Kings Post Office from February until December last year, claims there is still a problem with the Horizon system being used at branches across the country.
He said on multiple occasions he was told to pay money into the Horizon system. Although he believes his accounts added up, the software claimed money was missing.
Mr Harvey said: "I've felt humiliated by the suggestion I've stolen money, when I haven't got that money."
"I started working at the Post Office in February last year and by May I'd already had to pay money into the system that Horizon said was short in my till. I raised the problems with by area manager who said Horizon's fine and it's been fixed."
Mr Harvey explained his experience, he said: "Your cash in the till is what it should be but Horizon says it's not and you are asked to pay more back into the system."
"It's still happening today, but the view is there is nothing wrong with Horizon."
Mr Harvey said since leaving the job he has raised his concerns with the Post Office.
The Post Office says they are concerned to hear of Mr Harvey’s experience. They say the current version of the Horizon system was found to be robust.
A Post Office spokesperson, said: “We’re concerned to hear Mr Harvey’s experience whilst working in one of our branches last year.
“There have been several versions of Horizon since its introduction in 1999 and the current version of the system, introduced from 2017, was found in the group litigation to be robust, relative to comparable systems.
“We have contacted the postmaster who has operated Charlton Kings branch for the past 10 years to discuss Mr Harvey’s concerns.
“The postmaster has confirmed that from their perspective they are satisfied with the Horizon counters in their branch."