i left the keys in the van and engine running

[BarryFromEastenders]

You should have said you secured the van but lost your keys whilst delivering...

[Spedley]

Hightec.....i hope you get to keep your job,along the same lines,just heard about one of our fellow members with over 30 years service was out on his rural delivery,got back to his van and found the IB there dangling his van keys,yep left the keys in the ignition,running and mail on the front seat.....whats the expected outcome for him,has had a bit of time off recently and is on a stage 1.................

It might not be instant dismissal. While he obviously left it unattended, no criminal act took place. There is a difference between leaving a van unattended for 30 seconds down a country lane and leaving it for 5 minutes in a dodgy estate.
While a criminal may have been watching him in order to steel the van he could argue he'd have already reported a suspicious vehicle whereas the IB had access to his route and lay in wait.

He may be lucky.

[daveyeff]

lets hope so. theres no let up at all, in wondering if you will keep your job or not till the time comes, but its a horrible feeling, sleepless nights, worry, stress. its just a shyte situation to be in. fingers crossed for you mate.

[dejavu]

This happened in our office one Christmas with a rental van.The postman kept his job, don't think they even suspended him, it was too busy as it was Christmas. But then I heard that someone in Southport was sacked for leaving the keys in and running when it was at a secluded farm because he was being watched by management. Could go either way, think depends on management and how understanding they are and what they think of you.
Good luck

[dejavu]

When our rounds got changed the manager and fella who had re-routed all the rounds where in our office. It was at the time when we heard about the Southport guy getting sacked. One of my collegues mentiontioned about the locking the van and seatbelt situation to them. The fella who did the re-routing work said "Bloody hell if you did these rounds by the book like that none of them will ever get done in their time."
So the postman turned to the manager and asked, "What do I do then,take the keys out and lock the door and not be able to get round so cut off or risk getting sacked?"
The manager simply said " Just use your common sense" and walked off.
RM wants you to cut corners to get the rounds done but if anything happens they will wipe their hands of you and you'll be thrown to the lions.

[fishtank]

"Bloody hell if you did these rounds by the book like that none of them will ever get done in their time."

Should be our motto...it's just a shame nobody listens...