DOM says I'm being awkward

[shadow]

Really bad management he wanted you to break the law.

No change there then to both counts.

[whitemoor66]

Surely a DOM asking you to drive a vehichle without a tax disc should necessitate a grivence procedure, a call to the Bullying helpline or whatever its called and a quick dash to a rep. I would have liked to join the awkward squad, but I wasn't there long enough. I think I would have been a reliable team mate.
Good for you for standing your ground.

[lekker]

Next time ask the DIM if he would like to drive it as he is prepared to put you in the position of breaking the law,you could also remind him that its the O licence that also comes into call as well because he is ignoring the fact that as a DIM he has a legal stance and a duty of care,that being toward the member of staff that he is directing to break the law,a court would take a very dim view if your involved in an accident,what an idiot some of these so called managers are.

the problem with our glorious management is that when push comes to shove they deny everything and clam up tighter than a camel's arse in a sandstorm. even if they have insructed, coerced,bullied or intimidated you into breaking the law they will lie through their teeth to deny it. BEWARE. when in doubt - refuse and see your CWU or H&S rep.

[andy2007]

It doesn't matter whether the Road Tax has been paid or not, if you're caught driving it. The offence for the driver, is failure to display. The failure to pay the Road Fund License (Road Tax), is committed by the owner/Fleet Manager.

If I were you, I'd look for it again tomorrow. And if it's still not displaying a Tax Disk, I'd phone DVLA, and tell them that there was an untaxed vehicle on the premises. The fact that it's on Private Land, is irrelevant nowadays. You either have to pay the Road Tax, or take out a SORN. Otherwise, it's a fine or crushed vehicle. Depending on whether the owner/Fleet manager is willing to pay or not. That'll stop him!

After all: How could he prove who's reported it?
It could have been a Member of the Public, while it was being driven the day before.

[brothermagrew]

Next time ask the DIM if he would like to drive it as he is prepared to put you in the position of breaking the law,you could also remind him that its the O licence that also comes into call as well because he is ignoring the fact that as a DIM he has a legal stance and a duty of care,that being toward the member of staff that he is directing to break the law,a court would take a very dim view if your involved in an accident,what an idiot some of these so called managers are.

the problem with our glorious management is that when push comes to shove they deny everything and clam up tighter than a camel's arse in a sandstorm. even if they have insructed, coerced,bullied or intimidated you into breaking the law they will lie through their teeth to deny it. BEWARE. when in doubt - refuse and see your CWU or H&S rep.

Brother lekker they may when push comes to shove deny everything, they may also clam up tighter than the preverbial camel, they may also have instructed, coerced, bullied or intimated an employee into breaking the law and they may to also lie through their teeth to deny it. However insurmountable the tasks may be, this should never detract from the basic fact that they are accountable and can be held accountable for their actions or more correctly put through their acts or omissions.

That's why I as a CWU safety rep am a great believer in putting things in writing. The reasons why "putting it in writing" is important include:
* The SRSC Regulations entitle safety representatives to put things in writing, and require employers to respond in writing.
* Your copy of the report, letter, memo to management, or record of a meeting is evidence that the problem has been brought to the employer's attention.
* Members, via union notice boards, and copies of correspondence, can see that the union is active, and know what points the union is putting on their behalf.
* If problems do not get resolved, and higher management has to be brought in, middle management failure to act can be pinpointed.

Perhaps in the original posting (janitor) could have approached his or her CWU health and safety rep and asked them to make representations to management over the specific issue of being told to take out a van which was currently displaying an out of date tax disc. I can recall an instance from a few years back when as in this case an employee was told to take a van out by our DOM which again tax disc was expired and out of date. Submitted a well worded typed health and safety letter into him. DOM had the temerity to Email his Area Safety Adviser asking if this was a health and safety matter.

The answer came back please work with your CWU safety rep more closely, as vans are due to be inspected on a daily basis this would include tyres, horn, lights and valid tax disc etc. And from memory what gauled me the most was that the new tax disc for said van was located in the office safe. Could not be bothered to issue it out to the driver.

[norbert]

Next time ask the DIM if he would like to drive it as he is prepared to put you in the position of breaking the law,you could also remind him that its the O licence that also comes into call as well because he is ignoring the fact that as a DIM he has a legal stance and a duty of care,that being toward the member of staff that he is directing to break the law,a court would take a very dim view if your involved in an accident,what an idiot some of these so called managers are.

a few discreet photos taken would make interesting viewing for some authorities outside RM

[waitaminute]

You should have got your rep and an independant witness to be present when your DOM tried to bully you into driving that van. Had you been pulled by her Maj constabulary you could contest it and and be tried in a court of law, guess who would be called to the witness stand ? quivering and knee trembling Yes you got it ! ps Make sure the local paper is in attendance too

[shadow]

You should have got your rep and an independant witness to be present when your DOM tried to bully you into driving that van. Had you been pulled by her Maj constabulary you could contest it and and be tried in a court of law, guess who would be called to the witness stand ? quivering and knee trembling Yes you got it ! ps Make sure the local paper is in attendance too

If only it was that easy. They always say these things when no ones close enough.

[opgpat]

Someone was definately being awkward and you would have to say it was the manager by directing you to carryout a serious breach of the law (failure to display) with severe penalties. Complete twat.

[dave7634]

I would also add that you only have the DOM's word for it that it's taxed! - I would want proof!

Or if he's that confident, ask him to put in writing his beliefs about the tax, print and sign at the bottom - my guess is that he'd have run a mile.

[POSTMAN]

A twonk down our place once said to my UNION REP when he refused to take a van out where the bumper was damaged and bits of metal was sticking out of it,take a PMT1 form out with you,that will cover you if you get stopped

[janitor]

I would also add that you only have the DOM's word for it that it's taxed! - I would want proof!

Or if he's that confident, ask him to put in writing his beliefs about the tax, print and sign at the bottom - my guess is that he'd have run a mile.

If i'd asked him to say it again in front of a witness he would have run a mile

[andy2007]

A twonk down our place once said to my UNION REP when he refused to take a van out where the bumper was damaged and bits of metal was sticking out of it,take a PMT1 form out with you,that will cover you if you get stopped

Several years ago, one of our Drivers had to log off a few trailers (I think it was 3) in a row. Because they all had serious faults, including a bald tyre, ladder loose, and likley to fall off, etc.. And he was suspended, for "taking the p**s".

Once word got round (he hadn't got as far as his car! ), the s**t hit the fan, and everyone walked out. He was back at work by the end of the shift. RM can't afford to have something like that get out. If the Press had got hold of it at the time, it would have caused considerable damage. Because they were trying to force someone to take out dangerous vehicles, and then suspending him for standing his ground.