Been working for a Genral haulage firm on class 2 for 6 months, after 4 months i decided to put myself trough my class 1, after passing I did the odd day here and there on class 1 but still mainly drove class 2 as my partner was due to have a baby and was easier to keep me local on an rigid than an artic.
My partner gave birth on the 24th of July, I then had two weeks perternity leave, whilst on leave a came across an ad in the paper it was a well known national brandlooking for class 1 drivers the hours and the money seemed great so I sent the an e-mail on the e-mail I stated I was a new class 1 driver. I recived a call from them the next day asking me to come in for an interview which I obviously went to, the interview went well and they were not concerned that I only had a little bit of class 1 experience, two days later they called me to say they wanted to offer me the job, I was over the moon as the hours and money was exactly what I wanted.
I reluctantly gave my notice to my employer, they were not happy and made various attempts to change my mind, when I recived my payslip from them they withdrew my 6 month bonus £700 and my perternity pay £136 x2 so was left with only two weeks basic pay and as I was there just shy of 6 months they were legally intitled to to do this.
So started my new job monday it involved a two day induction which went well, yesterday I finished my induction and was issued with my rota for the next 7 weeks etc… And was told for the rest of the week I would be out with another driver, and was told to come in at 5pm this evening, I turned up at 5pm met the driver I was going out with then we went and put our cards in and done our vehicle checks etc… Once we completed that a manager came out and asked me in to his office, he said he just noticed that my licence shows I have only recently passed my class 1, I said yes I made the chap who interviewed aware of this, he said sorry you our insurance won’t cover you and said he was termanating my employment with the company and sent me home, so now I am stuck with no job! I feel sick especially after having low wages last month and a new baby to support.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this post, and appreciate any opinions on this.
bald bloke:
I feel for you what a mess, obviously a ■■■■ up by someone in your new company, are you in a union ? Where is this company ?
Thanks for reading this, got given the unite the union form yesterday so have not joined yet, the company is in Avonmouth don’t want to give company names just in case.
I would be inclined to go to my local newspaper and embarrass the company also if they emphasis the fact you have a young family and all you want to do is work hard and support them I reckon there’s a chance some local haulier would be prepared to give you a job.
Sorry to hear that is there any chance of getting back in with your old firm?. That would be the first call I’d make. I sympathise because I’ve just taken the plunge in trying for a baby myself after years of putting her off all she can do is write down baby names all I can do is write down numbers and hope to god when we have one it all stacks up. Congratulations by the way on your new born.
Congratulations on the new born. You sound like an honest hard working lad. Don’t worry, all this will be well behind you in 6 months time.
I support greenarmy’s suggestion and I would also go down the employment tribunal route with both employers. (You’ll need to check first if the original employer actually broke the law). Shame you couldn’t have just squeezed your 6 months in with them to collect the £700.
Armed with a print off of your initial email to the new co. you have a good case of unfair dismissal I would have thought. Others will be along soon who know more about employment law.
Congratulations on the baby and sympathies for your lousy luck.
To be honest I personally think life is too short for employment tribunals. I would try and eat humble pie with old firm, along the lines of “I’ve seriously messed up, can I have my job back, I’d be really grateful as I have a new baby to support”. Nothing to lose except pride. They may take pity on your circumstances and reason that you will probably hang around for a while because you are grateful for the safe landing pad, or play hard ball and send you away.
Got a feeling they can do whatever they like to you before the 2 year period. Could be wrong?
Life isn’t too short for employment tribunals but I believe you have to pay now, thanks to Cameron.
Pimpdaddy:
Not much point crying over spilt milk, start knocking on doors asap, shouldn’t be long until you find something to keep you ticking over.
+1
I honestly don’t think you’ll struggle to find something round Avonmouth. Their behaviour was unforgivably terrible but I don’t think it’s worth pursuing any legal avenues really.
If it’s a large concern consider a letter or email to the managing director just to explain the situation they’ve left you in. It is likely they can’t actually give you a job because of their insurance position but you might get something out of them like some Mothercare vouchers hopefully.
sweepster:
Got a feeling they can do whatever they like to you before the 2 year period. Could be wrong?
Life isn’t too short for employment tribunals but I believe you have to pay now, thanks to Cameron.
Like with most things people ended up taking the ■■■■ with stuff like non-existent racial and ■■■ discrimination.
bald bloke:
I feel for you what a mess, obviously a ■■■■ up by someone in your new company, are you in a union ? Where is this company ?
Thanks for reading this, got given the unite the union form yesterday so have not joined yet, the company is in Avonmouth don’t want to give company names just in case.
th2013:
Congratulations on the baby and sympathies for your lousy luck.
To be honest I personally think life is too short for employment tribunals. I would try and eat humble pie with old firm, along the lines of “I’ve seriously messed up, can I have my job back, I’d be really grateful as I have a new baby to support”. Nothing to lose except pride. They may take pity on your circumstances and reason that you will probably hang around for a while because you are grateful for the safe landing pad, or play hard ball and send you away.
Best of luck, hope you get something soon.
And tell them what the other lot did to you.
Good luck!
First, let me add my congratulations to your new family.
You have been shafted by both employers, going down the Employment Tribunal route is costly, you will fork out thousands before your case is even heard and then you are not guaranteed a positive outcome.
Your first point of call should be telephoning both of them and just be honest with them, explain that they have left you in a bind, none of which was of your doing and that you want to find an amicable solution to your dilemma and are calling on their decency to do the right thing.
If that fails, your next stop is your local CAB, make an appointment with one of the legal volunteers there, not just with anybody and bring everything you have in writing with you. Also make a list of the date and time of phonecalls and what was agreed. A verbal agreement in the UK is legally binding.
Have the CAB write or assist you in writing letters to both of them and see what the outcome is, if this doesn’t work then just swallow your pride and move on.
In the meantime start hitting the phone and the road, write your CV and go see all the License holders in your area.
Finally, where are you located, there may well be someone here that knows of a position that is not advertised.
