One of our drivers from the depot I work from was sacked on the spot yesterday. A member of the public photographed him clearly holding his mobile phone to his ear whilst travelling along a motorway and sent the evidence to our HQ in Northampton. A notice with the photos was put up in our office (drivers face pixelated out, we all know who it was).
Leaving aside the (il)legalities of using a hand held whilst driving I fully support his sacking. Not so much because of the illegal act, but more so because of stupidity. I firmly believe that stupidity should not only be a sackable offence but that it also warrants sterilisation in order to stop spreading the stupid gene!
The reason I think that he is stupid is that he knew it was against the law but still insisted on holding a phone to his right ear. Whilst driving a lorry ffs, probably one of the most visible vehicles next to a motorcycle to be doing it in.
I’m certain that most of us have broken some laws from time to time but how thick do you need to be to draw attention to yourself whilst doing it?
Surely he can’t just be sacked on the spot though? Is there no disciplinary procedure to go through even though in the end it’ll be the same result in the end?
toonsy:
Surely he can’t just be sacked on the spot though? Is there no disciplinary procedure to go through even though in the end it’ll be the same result in the end?
toonsy:
Surely he can’t just be sacked on the spot though? Is there no disciplinary procedure to go through even though in the end it’ll be the same result in the end?
Sorry mate, should’ve made it clear; he’s actually an agency driver who’s been there in excess of ten years so they can pretty much do what they want to him.
the maoster:
The reason I think that he is stupid is that he knew it was against the law but still insisted on holding a phone to his right ear. Whilst driving a lorry ffs, probably one of the most visible vehicles next to a motorcycle to be doing it in.
I’m certain that most of us have broken some laws from time to time but how thick do you need to be to draw attention to yourself whilst doing it?
It’s baffled me for ages why so many people think they have some sort of invisible shield that stops people seeing what they’re doing, almost on a daily basis I see people with phones to their ears and they’re not even trying to hide it
I don’t know whether it’s arrogance or stupidity but either way it’s dumb
toonsy:
Surely he can’t just be sacked on the spot though? Is there no disciplinary procedure to go through even though in the end it’ll be the same result in the end?
Sorry mate, should’ve made it clear; he’s actually an agency driver who’s been there in excess of ten years so they can pretty much do what they want to him.
Wouldn’t make any difference, they could sack a full timer for breaking the law at work … bringing the company into disrepute… no employment tribunal could defend illegal actions at work.
His own fault, if it was that important pull over or wait til he stopped.
toonsy:
Surely he can’t just be sacked on the spot though? Is there no disciplinary procedure to go through even though in the end it’ll be the same result in the end?
Gross misconduct clear cut
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Yeah of course but still I guess it depends on the DP process.
I know of blokes at my old place where it clear cut and you know it’s a sacking but they still had yo be suspended, investigated, interviewed etc etc
toonsy:
Surely he can’t just be sacked on the spot though? Is there no disciplinary procedure to go through even though in the end it’ll be the same result in the end?
Gross misconduct clear cut
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yeah of course but still I guess it depends on the DP process.
I know of blokes at my old place where it clear cut and you know it’s a sacking but they still had yo be suspended, investigated, interviewed etc etc
I dont doubt at all the truth of what you say. But why dont those guys just get out and find another job? (Rhetorical question). They must know theyre just wasting everyones time and money? Including their own. Probably another aspect of their “it won`t happen to me” attitude to life.
Most phones come with headphones…if not they are cheap eniugh on ebay ffs!
What makes me laugh us when people have them on loud speaker but then hold it up near their mouth, ffs they really are stupid, they may aswell.hold it to their heads.
the maoster:
One of our drivers from the depot I work from was sacked on the spot yesterday. A member of the public photographed him clearly holding his mobile phone to his ear whilst travelling along a motorway and sent the evidence to our HQ in Northampton. A notice with the photos was put up in our office (drivers face pixelated out, we all know who it was).
Leaving aside the (il)legalities of using a hand held whilst driving I fully support his sacking. Not so much because of the illegal act, but more so because of stupidity. I firmly believe that stupidity should not only be a sackable offence but that it also warrants sterilisation in order to stop spreading the stupid gene!
The reason I think that he is stupid is that he knew it was against the law but still insisted on holding a phone to his right ear. Whilst driving a lorry ffs, probably one of the most visible vehicles next to a motorcycle to be doing it in.
I’m certain that most of us have broken some laws from time to time but how thick do you need to be to draw attention to yourself whilst doing it?
I have to agree with you in that he was a total twonk, I see these idiots every day, why the [zb] if you are determined to do such an irresponsible thing as hold a phone to your ear when you are driving would you position it so it can be seen ? I don’t know what the fine is over there but here in the USA it is a $2500.00 fine for your first offence using a hand held phone.
toonsy:
Surely he can’t just be sacked on the spot though? Is there no disciplinary procedure to go through even though in the end it’ll be the same result in the end?
Yes he can,anything the company deem to be gross misconduct ie putting themselves or members of the public at risk can Be punishable by instant dismissal.
HGV:
Most phones come with headphones…if not they are cheap eniugh on ebay ffs!
What makes me laugh us when people have them on loud speaker but then hold it up near their mouth, ffs they really are stupid, they may aswell.hold it to their heads.
Oh and i agree he got what he deserves
Any wired headphone kit for a phone is illegal to use for two reasons.
One it’s in contact with the phone therefore not making it hands free.
Two wearing two earphones is illegal and it makes it harder to hear outside noises.
eagerbeaver:
What a wonderful country this place is becoming. No need for police anymore, let’s just inform on each other
True but if the twonk wasn’t breaking the law knowing it’s illegal he wouldn’t have been grassed up by some busy body. No one can claim they didn’t know it was illegal after all.
And with all the numpties causing bad accidents in trucks in recent years. It doesn’t do us any good for the public perception of us all does it?
Regardless of the grass he’s a twonk simple as.
One day drivers will realise that nowadays you have be as careful as you can when your driving as it could cost you your job if some busy body gets involved.
Really? That’s news to me. Not saying that you’re wrong mate but if you take that to its logical conclusion then how on earth do deaf people have driving licenses?
Really? That’s news to me. Not saying that you’re wrong mate but if you take that to its logical conclusion then how on earth do deaf people have driving licenses?
Being deaf and impairing your hearing to listen to music or use the phone are slightly different.
If you wear headphones you are unlikely if at all to hear a car horn or emergency sirens.
Deaf drivers use a visual aid that warns of emergency sirens or horns to alert them of caution and their senses are vastly heightened compared to someone who is not deaf.
How many times have you seen a cyclist or runner or walker with headphones in completely oblivious to what’s happening around them?
And before anyone jumps in yes it’s not technically illegal to wear headphones while driving, but it can get you a ticket for it. But as far as I know it is illegal to use a wired headphone kit on a phone.
