P&L Loophole?

[SexyLegs]

Just wondered what people think about the following:-

My contract quite clearly states 'OPG with occasional driving duties'

So if I get a P&L duty where I am the driver how does this affect my contract as I'll be driving every day which is not occasional, obviously!

Would I be within my rights to say I'm happy to do occasional driving but I don't want to drive all day every day?

And what would you class as 'occasional'?

[keithposty]

how do you define occasional driving duties'

it is how long you are behind the wheel actual driving that counts, p & l is just going point to point, from and to the delivery office.

so you will be doing say less than three to four hours actual driving a day so you will be classed as a part time driver anyway

i stand to be corrected by you will just be bringing trouble on yourself unless you have a second job driving

[axeman]

If the wording is as you have quoted it's occasional driving duties and not a duty with occasional driving so i'd say yes your within you rights to refuse to drive on a p& l duty
just because you have driven for royal fail previously does not mean your obligated to do so at there comand

[Lounge Lizard]

oc·ca·sion·al 
adjective
1. occurring or appearing at irregular or infrequent intervals; occurring now and then: an occasional headache.
2. intended for supplementary use when needed: an occasional chair.
3. pertaining to, arising out of, or intended for the occasion: occasional verses.
4. acting or serving for the occasion or only on particular occasions.
5. serving as the occasion or incidental cause.

1. 'at irregular or infrequent intervals' and 'now and then' would probably be most appropriate - but park and loop surely involves more driving than this.

[fishtank]

I wouldn't go to war or put my job on the line on a technicality like the interpretation of the word "occasional".
Can you imagine trying to prove that at an Employment Tribunal?
Does it mean "occasionally" during your working day?
Does it mean "occasionally" during your working week?
Does it mean "occasionally" during your working life?

[Indy]

how do you define occasional driving duties'

it is how long you are behind the wheel actual driving that counts

I wouldn't have thoughts so. Your responsible for the van from the moment you sign the keys out to the moment you sign them back in. I would guess that from a legal perspective as well as an RM one your the legal driver of the van during those times and should anything happen driving or not your responsible.

I would have also thought that should you wish to put your foot down than RM are on a rather sticky wicket. Then again they'll say do this or transfer if theres another job or as a last resort pay you off (with a pittance) and sod off.

[DGP1]

I personally don't know why people are having a major problem with driving for RM maybe those who are so against it can explain it to me.

[TeeferTiger]

I think occasional driving for RM can be construed by them as not being a driver full time i.e. not a networks driver going oop and down motorways between hubs and DOs etc.

[Indy]

I personally don't know why people are having a major problem with driving for RM maybe those who are so against it can explain it to me.

why do you want the responsibility? Insurance is expensive enough without having a possible prang on RM time. there's no recognition from RM in the form on an additional payment.

So its more of a question of why people DO drive? you used to get a payment!!

[fishtank]

I personally don't know why people are having a major problem with driving for RM maybe those who are so against it can explain it to me.

It's just a personal choice thing.
There is very little of it left in RM.
I don't think we,as members should be encouraging Royal Mail to remove even more.

[gb93]

I personally don't know why people are having a major problem with driving for RM maybe those who are so against it can explain it to me.

Completely puzzled by this too.
Especially when the usuall cry from 'walkers' is drivers have it easy

[dubdaz]

I personally don't know why people are having a major problem with driving for RM maybe those who are so against it can explain it to me.

OK here goes.

I've paid low insurance premiums for years because I only do about 4000 miles a year or less. Insurance companys charge people who dont do a lot of mileage less than those who do,because they are LESS likely to have an accident.

Driving for royal mail will dramatically increase my chances of having an accident, which I would have to reveal in the event of one, to MY insurance company.MY insurance company could then, if they saw fit increase MY premiums.

If it was law that you didnt have to inform your own insurance of accidents whilst driving for royal mail I would have no problem whatsoever driving for them.

[arnold cheshire]

I personally don't know why people are having a major problem with driving for RM maybe those who are so against it can explain it to me.

OK here goes.

I've paid low insurance premiums for years because I only do about 4000 miles a year or less. Insurance companys charge people who dont do a lot of mileage less than those who do,because they are LESS likely to have an accident.

Driving for royal mail will dramatically increase my chances of having an accident, which I would have to reveal in the event of one, to MY insurance company.MY insurance company could then, if they saw fit increase MY premiums.

If it was law that you didnt have to inform your own insurance of accidents whilst driving for royal mail I would have no problem whatsoever driving for them.

why tell the insurance company only do gooders do that

[DGP1]

I personally don't know why people are having a major problem with driving for RM maybe those who are so against it can explain it to me.

OK here goes.

I've paid low insurance premiums for years because I only do about 4000 miles a year or less. Insurance companys charge people who dont do a lot of mileage less than those who do,because they are LESS likely to have an accident.

Driving for royal mail will dramatically increase my chances of having an accident, which I would have to reveal in the event of one, to MY insurance company.MY insurance company could then, if they saw fit increase MY premiums.

If it was law that you didnt have to inform your own insurance of accidents whilst driving for royal mail I would have no problem whatsoever driving for them.

Don't crash then in all my years driving in RM I've only had one blameworthy (even then I wasn't really to blame because you can't allow for a tree blown down in the middle of the road on a pitch black road) and since then I've slowed right down and am more careful about it. Take the time to drive safely and you won't cause an accident.

[DGP1]

I personally don't know why people are having a major problem with driving for RM maybe those who are so against it can explain it to me.

OK here goes.

I've paid low insurance premiums for years because I only do about 4000 miles a year or less. Insurance companys charge people who dont do a lot of mileage less than those who do,because they are LESS likely to have an accident.

Driving for royal mail will dramatically increase my chances of having an accident, which I would have to reveal in the event of one, to MY insurance company.MY insurance company could then, if they saw fit increase MY premiums.

If it was law that you didnt have to inform your own insurance of accidents whilst driving for royal mail I would have no problem whatsoever driving for them.

why tell the insurance company only do gooders do that

Because if you don't tell them and you try to claim they will find out and refuse to pay out.