Problem or what?

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
61

dcgpx:

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 ?

Def looks like your targeted for some reason

I will get in touch with acas, will a text work instead of emails?
my boss for my email address last week saying for my payslip, I said I’d prefer it by letter. I can get their email address again from the office.

I am very sure warehouse know & some of the drivers, they won’t say though,

Fast track was a lot later than usual by a few hours, but still back in the yard before 7.30 ( deadline ),
The new manager said he was back early , & i said to him he was late because he passed me en route, & the other got back just on 7.30 , so if I had done 3rd trunk I would have deffo been late back because I am usually the last one to be loaded.

62

Text can be ok but far easier to keep/ print emails. If firm want an email let them have it, or create an online one purely for work?

If others back by deadline then unfortunately not a lot can do. What happens when they are late? Anything said?
Not quite sure how your trunks run? Obviously 3 of you, a set order?

Ask to swap to one of the others, even if a few days to see how other driver does on your normal run?

63

The new manager did suggest that, but went quiet almost as if he regretted the suggestion when I said I was happy to do that . The following shift they put me on a different trip.

64

Re ask then saying he mentioned it so you’d like to do that. Might deny it but ask anyway

65

How good is your relationship with boss man? Surely he can see tension and what’s happening

66

And another tip, try and ask for things with others there. They may not support later but if asked in front of someone it makes people think about their response[emoji1]

67

Good point, I’ll get in touch with them on Monday,

The boss I always considered to be a fair man, but like any business person they won’t like loosing money. He said only last week he’s pleased with my work, & I know he’s been pleased with the work I did last year too. It’s only now since I was late loaded , late back he’s suddenly made it clear back on time or I loose my job. Maybe he’s also watching the new manager to see how he deals with things, he was leaning towards me in an intimidating manner of raised voice.

Witness are a good idea

68

Just curiosity - did boss know new manager beforehand ? Seems strange the change if he didn’t.
I’ll go back to earlier and ask them to have a meeting and see what comes from it.

Sorry to say though sounds like your on a hiding to nothing .

Crap situation. Deffo something not right and your the poor scapegoat

69

It’s the sort of place where everyone know everyone in the village , the pub , the rugby etc etc staff all know each other. A lot of the drivers live further away & come from everywhere , although some are local.

70

Works both ways that then, they’ll also know what tricks their pulling. Start telling as your in a corner

And it’s Saturday/Sunday! Morning You Can’t be working , thought only idiots like moi up!

71

So does boss man know TM previously ?

72

I would say it’s highly likely that they knew each other previously.

I’m not working tonight, but going to get some sleep now, thanks to all

73

Name ‘n’ shame, bonnie lass.
Someone would have been dragged over their desk by their eyelids if that crap was tried on me. Just can’t tolerate it from anyone. Whatever transpires, your priority is to get away from them asap. They sound like a real shower of ■■■■■■
Wish you good luck in finding a better outfit - shouldn’t be very hard, and you deserve much, much better!

74

This is victimisation and bullying plain and simple.

They are trying to make you rush round to fit more into less time, but nothing to that effect will be in writing because when the inevitable accident, caused by rushing about, happens they get covered when the stuff hits the fan and they should know it…if they don’t know it and are pushing others like this then they are heading for a surprising and unpleasant meeting with VOSA and the TC at this rate because something bad will happen to one of you sooner or later and that fan will spread it far and wide and up the chain.

As nothing is in writing you haven’t even reached the start of any disciplinary procedures they are making veiled threats about (more harrassment for the dairy), so basically let all this verbal garbage go in one ear and out the other (but note every single episode in your diary), you are doing your job properly within reasonable time constraints, just continue to work normally.

And for crying out loud join a proper union, this is a prime example why unions are needed more than ever.

You should not be forced out of your job, only leave if you find something better or you yourself have decided that the job isn’t for you any more.

75

You should not be forced out of your job, only leave if you find something better or you yourself have decided that the job isn’t for you any more.

I’m not going to offer you any locker room advice, you’ve had plenty of that already. Right they all are too.

But just remember there is a very long list of things that are more important than work, and as you are up at 0400 on you’re day off, this is clearly having a detrimental effect on your home life.

The above that Juddian said is absolutely correct, you deserve way better than that, so start looking for your own sanity. Don’t forget “class is permanent” so if your TM/planner is a ■■■■ now, chances are he will be always. There must be better employers over your way, as this lot haven’t set the bar very high.

Good luck

76

Not your fault! As a matter of courtesy I will call in any delays, the other night being a perfect example. I arrived at a backload to be informed that it would be at least 2 hours before they would start loading. Ready to get my book out, I called the office and they pulled me out. I let them make the decisions so any blame is not on me. Communication is key to keeping yourself out of trouble

77

■■■■■■■:
Name ‘n’ shame, bonnie lass.
Someone would have been dragged over their desk by their eyelids if that crap was tried on me. Just can’t tolerate it from anyone. Whatever transpires, your priority is to get away from them asap. They sound like a real shower of [zb].
Wish you good luck in finding a better outfit - shouldn’t be very hard, and you deserve much, much better!

Thanks for your reply ■■■■■■■, I hope it gets sorted soon.
[
quote=“Juddian”]This is victimisation and bullying plain and simple.

They are trying to make you rush round to fit more into less time, but nothing to that effect will be in writing because when the inevitable accident, caused by rushing about, happens they get covered when the stuff hits the fan and they should know it…if they don’t know it and are pushing others like this then they are heading for a surprising and unpleasant meeting with VOSA and the TC at this rate because something bad will happen to one of you sooner or later and that fan will spread it far and wide and up the chain.

As nothing is in writing you haven’t even reached the start of any disciplinary procedures they are making veiled threats about (more harrassment for the dairy), so basically let all this verbal garbage go in one ear and out the other (but note every single episode in your diary), you are doing your job properly within reasonable time constraints, just continue to work normally.

And for crying out loud join a proper union, this is a prime example why unions are needed more than ever.

You should not be forced out of your job, only leave if you find something better or you yourself have decided that the job isn’t for you any more.
[/quote]
Thanks for your juddian, i t seems like i have been targeted, & as you say there’s nothing in writing from them, they don’t appear to be pushing anyone else, although behind closed doors who knows! They did say they were watching some others, but did not elaborate on that. it appears that I m the only one who has been victimised,
I don’t want to have an accident through them pressurising , I refuse to drive around in a ‘ram bash’ manor, I take my job & work seriously & get on well face to face with customers.
I will have a word with the union .

How they are behaving is disgusting, a more reputable company somewhere else sounds like a good choice.

78

F-reds:

You should not be forced out of your job, only leave if you find something better or you yourself have decided that the job isn’t for you any more.

I’m not going to offer you any locker room advice, you’ve had plenty of that already. Right they all are too.

But just remember there is a very long list of things that are more important than work, and as you are up at 0400 on you’re day off, this is clearly having a detrimental effect on your home life.

The above that Juddian said is absolutely correct, you deserve way better than that, so start looking for your own sanity. Don’t forget “class is permanent” so if your TM/planner is a ■■■■ now, chances are he will be always. There must be better employers over your way, as this lot haven’t set the bar very high.

Good luck

Thanks for your reply F-reds, yes the job does affect my home life, & i really barely get enough time to sleep, life has become an existence not living.

I shall look elsewhere & i don’t mind relocation .

79

scanny77:
Not your fault! As a matter of courtesy I will call in any delays, the other night being a perfect example. I arrived at a backload to be informed that it would be at least 2 hours before they would start loading. Ready to get my book out, I called the office and they pulled me out. I let them make the decisions so any blame is not on me. Communication is key to keeping yourself out of trouble

Thanks for your reply scanned, the trunk is a waiting game, the boss & manager are fully aware of that & know I have to be called in when they are ready to load me, but now it seems that the company I work for don’t want me to ‘sit there’ waiting to be called in , but yet I can’t return unloaded, the trunk before me has to wait hours & dose not have trailer changes to do first either, he doesn’t get raked over it. I constantly let my manager know what is happening & of any likely problems that may occur.

80

I know that one. You get to the stage where you feel that you don’t have a life so you merely exist. I would be looking elsewhere.

In the meantime, if they are giving you work to do which is not feasible within your time limits then record everything. Reg number/s, trailer numbers, locations etc etc etc. This could lead to constructive dismissal which is basically them trying to make you quit instead of sacking you which isn’t easy these days.

If they do sack you then you have records to show that the workload placed on you is the problem, not your work. Unfair dismissal!

Whatever happens, keep your nose clean and your tacho cleaner. Make ■■■■ sure that there is no comeback heading your way. Words are meaningless so anything they say should be allowed to pass in one ear and out the other. Let them put things in writing if they want to get your attention and don’t give them any excuse to attack you as a person. No matter what happens, keep your head and don’t let them upset you