Postal woman who tried to foil thieves faces sack

[Post Off]

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one thinking this right now, but even though while out on deliveries, she did indeed step outside the vehicle, leaving keys in ignition. It was only because she was doing so to pick up a pen, and not to make an actual delivery. How then can this be construed as breaching the same rules or law by negligence?

I'm still shocked that Royal Mail could be so callous as to mete out so harsh verdict no matter what the circumstances. Fugg you RM (I mean, the A-Holes running the group).

[fishtank]

...because they will make the assumption....that she is lying to cover the fact that she left the vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition..

[Pat Ostman]

So she saw the person before the vehicle moved. What if she claimed the person asked for the keys under threat?

What would RM do then?

[brothermagrew]

So she saw the person before the vehicle moved. What if she claimed the person asked for the keys under threat?

What would RM do then?

Then if her claim was that she acted under duress as a result of a threat, why then was there the need to put herself at further unecessary risk by jumping on the bonnet of said vehicle.

[fishtank]

So she saw the person before the vehicle moved. What if she claimed the person asked for the keys under threat?

What would RM do then?

They would make the assumption that she is lying to cover the fact that she left the vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition..
The difficulty for her is that from a neutral point of view...that is the most likely assumption to make and without any evidence to the contrary it is going to be difficult to dig her out of this hole.

[Post Off]

...because they will make the assumption....that she is lying to cover the fact that she left the vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition..

How can she be lying? I mean, if she had simply left the keys in the ignition and the vehicle unattended to make a delivery then, how is it that she was so close to that van that she was able to grab hold its windscreen wipers and be driven for almost a mile, unless of course she is deemed again to be lying.

[fishtank]

I didn't say she was lying...i have no idea what happened and neither do you but from a neutral point of view if you were asked which was more likely.........that she left the keys in the ignition while attempting a delivery,something that happens all too often in this job or she dropped her pen and while she got out to pick it up someone slipped in behind her then i know which one will be chosen.

Both are plausible but only one ticks all the boxes from a management point of view and it's practically bulletproof at an Employment Tribunal...without any other evidence.

[Post Off]

You are probably right there fishtank, in that in-order to soften the blow of going directly down the dissmissible route, that it might be wiser (given the situation) for the bending of some facts. Without really knowing a bit more, there can only be conjecture from all those (like meself) not directly in the know.

It's unlikely, but fingers crossed that she'll be given another chance.

[tvpunter]

Show me someone who doe'snt make a mistake and i'll call them a liar..we employ people to keep up standards...basicaly it has to come down to how many times you breech the standards..surley..first time..next time..you have to have a cut of point..fair id'e say.

[Post Off]

No one is saying that they didn't make a mistake. I'm sure this must now be the biggest mistake she has made in her life. Though to be viewed almost like a thief, and then to be sacked for making that one mistake to me, is too harsh a punishment.

We all need to work to standards, but to me, I see very little in the way of standards -- as a postman, when carrying out my daily duties. In fact, I'd say there are many more in the job (manergers and post peeps included) openly flouting any and all standards by which we are to realistically complete our duties.

If there are all these peeps leaving keys in the ignition, and all of the time then, how about tackling that issue head on, instead of destroying someone's livelihood. TBT had a good idea, but there are other ideas that could be explored, too. Though, I'm starting to think that some manergers enjoy seeing their responsibility given the chop!

[POSTMAN]

and post was stolen from the passenger seat.

No comments on the above then?

[NWpostie]

Unfortunately the one fact that remains, is the Key was in the ignition and the vehicle is unattended, she was unable to prevent the theft, it will be these that the Tribunal will look at, there is no get out, the only way out is ti find out if the managers have done their procedures, drivers licence checks, mail integrity signature, if none of them were followed and we do know how Managers do sometimes slip up, its would be a dependent on how lenient/reasonable the Managers are.

I fear she may well be looking at losing her job, unless extenuating circumstances can be presented.


Bottom line is ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS take the key out and lock the door, if you get out of the driver seat, even if its to check the bonnet, mirrors, back door, tail lifts, post a letter, open a box, fart etc


If there is any solidarity in her Office, I would have had a mass driver withdrawal of licence and revert to normal duty, sorting, bag opening, delivery etc, they cannot legally make you drive if you do not present your licence or withdraw it altogether, that driving licence is YOURS, you paid for it, trained for it, RM don't own it, if everybody does it, it would be a call for Management rethink of their intended punishment,

[Pat Ostman]

If there is any solidarity in her Office, I would have had a mass driver withdrawal of licence and revert to normal duty, sorting, bag opening, delivery etc, they cannot legally make you drive if you do not present your licence or withdraw it altogether, that driving licence is YOURS, you paid for it, trained for it, RM don't own it, if everybody does it, it would be a call for Management rethink of their intended punishment,

[meercat]

Appendix 1 (Revised): security rules for drivers

Deliveries

Paragraph H - Lock your door immediately when you get out, also set alarms where fitted and should your vehical be stolen do not jump onto the bonnet and hang on like a nutter for 3/4 of a mile.

What a stunt! Wish I had been there.

[bones]

Why is she going to lose her job? There was a postie in our office that left his keys in the ignition, had his van stolen . He phoned the workshop , we tracked his van via the telemetry gps. It was located a few streets away ,when he got there special mail was stolen from the front seats and police were informed.What did he get ? a five year major , and a week later filled his van with petrol ! and still works there. So lady if your are in the union i would urge your union to fights your case and do some investigations of their own to get you of the hook surely a precedent has been set.