A postmaster’s wife has been told she must reapply for a job she’s had for the past 27 years when her husband dies of terminal cancer.
Sue Key, 61, has been running Windy Arbour News’ post office in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, alongside her husband Carl for nearly three decades.
This year Carl learned he had terminal cancer of the bowel, liver and lung, and was given just months to live.
The Keys informed the Post Office of the diagnosis and said Sue would take over the business once Carl dies, but she was told she must reapply for her job.
Sue Key, 61, has been running Windy Arbour News’ post office in Kenilworth, Warwickshire (pictured), alongside her husband Carl for nearly three decades
This year Carl (pictured) learned he had terminal cancer of the bowel, liver and lung, and was given just months to live
The problem seems to stem from 27 years ago when Carl signed to be the ‘postmaster’ on his own and Sue’s name is not on official records.
However, Sue said that her name has been on paperwork since the very beginning and even sat for an interview for the position – which she passed nearly three decades ago.
She said to the Express: ‘Everything from the computer to the paperwork, to ordering, to serving the customers, everything for 27 years has had my name on it.
‘When we took it on, we both had to sit the interview and pass, which we did.
‘The only thing was they could only put the wages under one name and that was my husband’s. At the time they told us that wouldn’t cause any problems.’
Adding to the Kenilworth Weekly, Sue said: ‘They’re classing me as a family member, but I’m also a business partner.’
The problem seems to stem from 27 years ago when Carl signed to be the ‘postmaster’ on his own and Sue’s name is not on official records
She said: ‘They’ve said they’ve done everything they possibly can – but I don’t see what the problem is. Why can’t I just jump straight in?’
She continued: ‘It’s not nice, I have to say, particularly when we’ve run it for the past 27 years.
‘They’ve said they’ve done everything they possibly can – but I don’t see what the problem is. Why can’t I just jump straight in?
‘Our customers know we’ve been there for 27 years, and between us we haven’t missed a day. They’ve got so much respect for me and my husband.’
A Post Office spokesman said in a statement to the Express: ‘We are incredibly sorry to hear about Mr and Mrs Key’s situation, and they have our full empathy at this difficult time.
‘We would like to thank the Key family for their long and loyal service to their community.
‘While there is always a legal process for us to follow when transferring the position of postmaster to another person, we will do all we can to make this transition as easy and smooth as possible and provide the support Mr and Mrs Key need in completing the process.’