My induction day at Royal Mail proved to be most enlightening. I was employed as a van driver/ordinary licence. Somehow I was sent to the articulated lorry induction centre in error. The induction began with postal history, when the manager stated that the world's first postage stamp issued was the 1d black and the 2nd issued, the 1d red, I had to tell him that he was wrong, the 2nd stamp issued was the 2d blue. Later on during a short break, the manager approached me and complained that I had him portrayed him as stupid during the induction, thus began the start of a new career at Royal Mail.
My first experience of effective management began with the manager of the transport department. This manager had been depicted to me as a notorious bully, many employees had variously submitted complaints and grievances against this manager. This manager complained to the DOM (Delivery Office Manager) that I had not been performing vehicle checks, it was time to write a letter. The Royal Mail bullying and harassment procedure appears to be specifically designed to ensure complaints and grievances are quickly forgotten. The official grievance form allowed inadequate space within which to compile your complaint. I ignored their specific procedure and wrote letters directly to the DOM, line managers, CWU rep and provided copies for colleagues. This placed my grievance in the public domain. (A copy of my letter follows with some text portions removed.)
I can state that any Royal Mail vehicle I use is thoroughly FLOWER checked (fuel, lights, oil, water, electric and rubber). Any defects that have occurred during driving duties are reported at end of duty as per Royal Mail drivers manual, page 36, paragraph 2 (end of duty). This complaint is just another episode of harassment directed at me by this manager and I quote previous instances. When performing light duties due to injury, AOD (Accident On Duty), he phoned me at home and told me if I did not return to driving duties, I would be sacked. On another occasion whilst using a Royal Mail vehicle, I was confronted by this Manager and subjected to a most bizarre display, he diagnosed that my vehicle was overloaded by placing 2 fingers on top of the rear tyre (hardly the road transport act standard tests) and told me I would be taken off driving duties, he has now taken it upon himself to check my private vehicle, I am being harassed and bullied and treated with total contempt and disrespect and suggest that he requires some severe counselling.
I did have occasion to write a second letter. This manager had been haunting me, it seemed that every time I turned around, he was there, like some grotesque ventriloquists dummy. (My complaint follows with some text portions removed.)
Whilst having a private conversation with a work colleague, the manager interjected. I told him it was a private conversation and that his comments were not required. He stormed up to me in a threatening matter and bellowed "I am the manager and I will make sure that you are suspended", this is continuing harassment by this manager. This manager needs a severe reprimand, he has clearly demonstrated that he is not fit to manage, removal from his position is something that should be seriously considered.
A short time later, this manager disappeared, he had been relocated to a Mail centre, upon his return, I found his demeanour to be most convivial.
