PaulNowak:
I was sent away from one at 1.30 today because I wasn’t booked in until 3 (news to me). Went back at 2.30, and was still there at 5.45. So I can’t muck about with their time, but they can help themselves to mine?
All companies are the same. Arrive at 1430 for a 1400 slot and you get told “Your late,you’ll just need to wait till we get you”. But arrive at 1330 for 1400 slot and you might still be there waiting at half 4
Booking times only work one way and if you question it they flex their “muscles” and your banned from site (well thats maybe a bit OTT but you get my point)
bonnie lass:
If I have to do a trailer change first this means I get there with a trailer with straps missing etc , side support bars that are difficult to get the straps past if there are tall palletised goods jammed against it, it can be a bit of a nightmare & takes a bit longer to strap down , but still I cracked on with it & get down the road asap. The company does know what is happening, but because the other trunks get back earlier than me, as they are loaded earlier than me, I am getting back late.
I would be an absolute pain in the backside to them and do everything by the book to a level they wouldn’t think was actually possible. I would phone them if I got a trailer like that and say you’re refusing to take it because you cannot secure the load because the straps are missing and you’re not moving it until the problem is remedied and don’t move it until it is. With the trapped straps I would and have made a forklift driver at a pallet network hub move pallets that have trapped straps. Check every trailer for the MOT disc (looks like a tax disc) and if its missing which they tend to be on firms that run shoddy fleets, refuse to take the trailer out and defect it for no MOT disc. And I would document absolutely everything, every phone call, the lot. Fill in piles and piles and piles of defect forms. Defect absolutely everything, even blown marker light bulbs or missing internal straps. By law they’re required to keep every single defect form and provide evidence of the repairs and it’ll look really bad on their maintenance records but stuff em. Bury the buggers in paperwork.
Is exactly not the thing to do. For God’s sakes man. If she does this she’ll just make a name for herself and elevate what seems to be an already toxic situation. This works with agency driving maybe but as an employee you’re on a one way street doing this.
Just keep your normal head down attitude. Meet them head on and take them directly to task over the idle threats. That’s the serious bit. Employers can’t just issue threats legally. Let them know you know that. Just carry in doing your job as you do in the meantime. If it comes to tribunal you’re better equipped than trying the above advice.
James the cat:
You’re not paid to stress. Drivers don’t get paid enough for that. Someone else is paid to do that, you’re paid to drive from one place to tuther. You need to clear the air with whoever issued the threat. Explain to them what do they want you to do? What ■■■■■■ me off in the driving game is there’s always this underlying un said tone that as a driver you’ll pick up the slack or make it happen if it’s not going right. I wish they’d spit it out and just say “we expect you to speed”.
Tell this person straight up youve been thinking about it and that you’re not having it. You arrived and waited for a load. It was late being loaded. You informed office. End of. You them drove A to B. you weren’t doing 25 mph in motorways or stopping off to visit Disney land. If it was late then the fault is with the chain. Further explain that you don’t like being threatened with dismissal for faults in the system and if it comes to that you’ll be persuing legal action. Show them you have balls. Sorry, I know you’re a lass but you know my drift.
Thanks for your reply James, the loads coming back late due to being loaded late. The new manager has an axe to grind about it, at the end of the day it’s down to bad planning. I have explained in clear details & photocopied for him the shift page diary showing the times etc. He’s still trying to blame me when I asked if he had sorted the problem out. The boss is on my case because it is costing him money in fines if the goods I bring back are delivered late, I also explained the times etc in the diary of why I was late back. Bottom line is if it happens again he said that the parting of the ways.
I have made it clear that I will seek further advice on the situation.
James the cat:
You’re not paid to stress. Drivers don’t get paid enough for that. Someone else is paid to do that, you’re paid to drive from one place to tuther. You need to clear the air with whoever issued the threat. Explain to them what do they want you to do? What ■■■■■■ me off in the driving game is there’s always this underlying un said tone that as a driver you’ll pick up the slack or make it happen if it’s not going right. I wish they’d spit it out and just say “we expect you to speed”.
Tell this person straight up youve been thinking about it and that you’re not having it. You arrived and waited for a load. It was late being loaded. You informed office. End of. You them drove A to B. you weren’t doing 25 mph in motorways or stopping off to visit Disney land. If it was late then the fault is with the chain. Further explain that you don’t like being threatened with dismissal for faults in the system and if it comes to that you’ll be persuing legal action. Show them you have balls. Sorry, I know you’re a lass but you know my drift.
Thanks for your reply James, the loads coming back late due to being loaded late. The new manager has an axe to grind about it, at the end of the day it’s down to bad planning. I have explained in clear details & photocopied for him the shift page diary showing the times etc. He’s still trying to blame me when I asked if he had sorted the problem out. The boss is on my case because it is costing him money in fines if the goods I bring back are delivered late, I also explained the times etc in the diary of why I was late back. Bottom line is if it happens again he said that the parting of the ways.
I have made it clear that I will seek further advice on the situation.
If he did indeed say that if this continues that you’ll find yourself out on your arse then go get legal advice. That would be a sure fire winner in a dismissial case in your favour. You’ve done everything by the book here, these two clowns obviously have a chip on their collective shoulder and are looking for a easy get out. Dare I say they are trying this on because you’re a women and they think that you would just stand there and take it?
Ask for a meeting with these two ‘managers’ and say your as concerned as them about the late delivery etc and would like their help in how to remedy it. Explain your reasons and ask how they can help.
Firstly it will show, at any future tribunal, that you made reasonable attempts to discuss.
Secondly it will show how supportive they are or are not going to be.
I’d use my phone to record conversation so you’ve a true record of what was said.
It sounds like they are on a mission for whatever reason so feed them rope to hang themselves with as it sounds like they are looking to part company with you.
Shame when some new manager turns a good working relationship to this sort of mire. Feel for you.
not your problem, just keep your traffic office informed
as already said, keep notes of days/times and who spoke to (most important part ) for when the proverbial hits the breeze making machine
Thanks for your reply shuttlespanker, no I’m not arriving there on time, due to my shift starting time, & along with the trailer changes I have been given before my trunk run starts, means it never will happen, I have bought it time their attention, but I am still being raked over the coals for it.
I thinkthe new manager is trying to prove himself & not got the experience of planning.
Not a chance of dismissal. Are you in a union? Was you late for clock on every day, had a major bump every day? Check your contract of employment.
You will more than likely find that there will be nothing regarding running late. Just keep the transport office informed of everything like delays and then it’s their problem to rearrange jobs, not for you to worry.
Remember, it’s not a bus, it’s a wagon/truck/lorry which don’t run to timetables. National Express do but not ____________ Haulage
If push comes to shove, ask your TM to show you how to do it properly. After all, a TM should be able to do the job and lead by example but there are too many text book transport managers today.
Sorry for my outburst
bobdebouwer:
Offer to take him out with you one night to see how things are done in the “real” world instead of sitting behind a desk.
I will make that offer, I don’t expect for one moment it will be excepted.
They sent someone else in my place the order day , rather strangely I was told they were in & out even before the fast track , on asking the new manager at the end of my shift to see if he’d sorted things out, he was harping on about how all three trunks where back early , I told him fast track was later than usual because he past me very late on the road !! I am being set up here .
Sounds like this new “manager” is being a ■■■■ for the sake of things. Tell him whats what and if he still kicks off take it higher. Pretty sure your company would not want a sexism case on their hands.
I have explained to him, but no he still is addiment the fault is with me. Maybe he can’t handle the fact that his planning needs to be altered.
Ask for a meeting with these two ‘managers’ and say your as concerned as them about the late delivery etc and would like their help in how to remedy it. Explain your reasons and ask how they can help.
Firstly it will show, at any future tribunal, that you made reasonable attempts to discuss.
Secondly it will show how supportive they are or are not going to be.
I’d use my phone to record conversation so you’ve a true record of what was said.
It sounds like they are on a mission for whatever reason so feed them rope to hang themselves with as it sounds like they are looking to part company with you.
Shame when some new manager turns a good working relationship to this sort of mire. Feel for you.
I’d put feelers out on other jobs now.
I will record any other meetings, that’s a good idea, I have
Worked 60 hours + every week for this company & never grumbled . Now they want me gone so it seems, I look after the kit , & safe driver. why do they want me gone ■■
James the cat:
You’re not paid to stress. Drivers don’t get paid enough for that. Someone else is paid to do that, you’re paid to drive from one place to tuther. You need to clear the air with whoever issued the threat. Explain to them what do they want you to do? What ■■■■■■ me off in the driving game is there’s always this underlying un said tone that as a driver you’ll pick up the slack or make it happen if it’s not going right. I wish they’d spit it out and just say “we expect you to speed”.
Tell this person straight up youve been thinking about it and that you’re not having it. You arrived and waited for a load. It was late being loaded. You informed office. End of. You them drove A to B. you weren’t doing 25 mph in motorways or stopping off to visit Disney land. If it was late then the fault is with the chain. Further explain that you don’t like being threatened with dismissal for faults in the system and if it comes to that you’ll be persuing legal action. Show them you have balls. Sorry, I know you’re a lass but you know my drift.
Thanks for your reply James, the loads coming back late due to being loaded late. The new manager has an axe to grind about it, at the end of the day it’s down to bad planning. I have explained in clear details & photocopied for him the shift page diary showing the times etc. He’s still trying to blame me when I asked if he had sorted the problem out. The boss is on my case because it is costing him money in fines if the goods I bring back are delivered late, I also explained the times etc in the diary of why I was late back. Bottom line is if it happens again he said that the parting of the ways.
I have made it clear that I will seek further advice on the situation.
If he did indeed say that if this continues that you’ll find yourself out on your arse then go get legal advice. That would be a sure fire winner in a dismissial case in your favour. You’ve done everything by the book here, these two clowns obviously have a chip on their collective shoulder and are looking for a easy get out. Dare I say they are trying this on because you’re a women and they think that you would just stand there and take it?
I will take legal advice if this continues, I m sickened by the way they are treating me after all the hard work & max hours I’ve done for them for min wage .
God knows but it’s not right. Could be sexism but doubt it. Probably they need to shift someone and want to avoid redundancy. Companies are highly legally tied with their conduct by law. Companies often try it on with what they see as low end workers because they believe they aren’t educated and won’t know any better. You can’t dismiss someone summarily unless gross mis conduct. A grievance procedure has to be followed. And you can’t issue idle threats to employees. I’m afraid this is on a track you can’t avoid so you need to ante up and grab the nettle by both hands. You need to let these clowns know that you have been speaking to these guys m.acas.org.uk/ From this post onwards communicate via e mail with your managers.
bonnie lass:
At what stage would you take this to a union or seek official help?
I’d be asking now, speak to ACAS as they offer good advice.
This is going only one way with sounds of it so gather as much info as you can from this point and as said earlier try and use emails where possible.
Even if you speak verbally or ask for something, send a confirmation email along lines of ’ as discussed earlier …’ So you have some sort of trail.
I wouldn’t be going formal yet until you’ve literally done exhaustive efforts to talk to through ( recorded or witnessed of course!) then raise it formally following ACAS guidelines .
What are other drivers saying ? They must know what’s happening ? They supportive or standing back ?
bonnie lass:
If I have to do a trailer change first this means I get there with a trailer with straps missing etc , side support bars that are difficult to get the straps past if there are tall palletised goods jammed against it, it can be a bit of a nightmare & takes a bit longer to strap down , but still I cracked on with it & get down the road asap. The company does know what is happening, but because the other trunks get back earlier than me, as they are loaded earlier than me, I am getting back late.
I would be an absolute pain in the backside to them and do everything by the book to a level they wouldn’t think was actually possible. I would phone them if I got a trailer like that and say you’re refusing to take it because you cannot secure the load because the straps are missing and you’re not moving it until the problem is remedied and don’t move it until it is. With the trapped straps I would and have made a forklift driver at a pallet network hub move pallets that have trapped straps. Check every trailer for the MOT disc (looks like a tax disc) and if its missing which they tend to be on firms that run shoddy fleets, refuse to take the trailer out and defect it for no MOT disc. And I would document absolutely everything, every phone call, the lot. Fill in piles and piles and piles of defect forms. Defect absolutely everything, even blown marker light bulbs or missing internal straps. By law they’re required to keep every single defect form and provide evidence of the repairs and it’ll look really bad on their maintenance records but stuff em. Bury the buggers in paperwork.
Thanks for your reply conor, I have the fork lift guy to move the pallet while pull out the straps or curtains if they’re stuck, they are very helpful. My boss knows I check & defect where necessary & is ok with that it’s my job. however the new manager told me off for defecting in front of the boss, so I told him it’s my job to do vehicle checks & defect if necessary. I have had a prankster move my wheel nut indicators in a row of days. so I called workshop & had them torque them , they even said it was a prankster. I told the new manager. …makes me wonder.
James the cat:
God knows but it’s not right. Could be sexism but doubt it. Probably they need to shift someone and want to avoid redundancy. Companies are highly legally tied with their conduct by law. Companies often try it on with what they see as low end workers because they believe they aren’t educated and won’t know any better. You can’t dismiss someone summarily unless gross mis conduct. A grievance procedure has to be followed. And you can’t issue idle threats to employees. I’m afraid this is on a track you can’t avoid so you need to ante up and grab the nettle by both hands. You need to let these clowns know that you have been speaking to these guys m.acas.org.uk/ From this post onwards communicate via e mail with your managers.
I’m sure some of the other drivers know they are a good crowd, they won’t say incase they lose their own jobs , and it’s a bit of who knows who click in the warehouse.
Thing is, you’ve already said your not the only one who can sometimes run late, earlier you said the Fast Track was late, though it sounded like your new TM lied about it being on time so are any of these drivers being put through grinder? If not then clear cut discrimination
really!!! 
) for when the proverbial hits the breeze making machine