Will they force me to drive?

[Natasha, Midlands]

I would like to ask the people that have gone into park and loop already a question. Recently about eight posties have gone through the change over to drive a van getting ready for P&L I went through mine years ago as a manager asked me one day when he was stuck for drivers, Question is “Do I have to drive now because I don’t want to” somebody told me I could be suspended if I refused? Its my licence and I’m not prepared to be driving everyday. I need answer quickly please Nat:)

[doorstepped]

I would think that if you have had your changeover and hold a valid licence then you you can be asked to drive.
can you refuse? I very much doubt it as the request from the manager is a reasonable one and one that is stipulated in your contract at a guess.

[Ossie From Preston]

Maybe if you started within the last few years it may be in your contract Natasha but I can't recall anything in my contract where I have to drive. I would ask your Dom if he gets funny "show me where it states that in my contract"

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

I would like to ask the people that have gone into park and loop already a question. Recently about eight posties have gone through the change over to drive a van getting ready for P&L I went through mine years ago as a manager asked me one day when he was stuck for drivers, Question is “Do I have to drive now because I don’t want to” somebody told me I could be suspended if I refused? Its my licence and I’m not prepared to be driving everyday. I need answer quickly please Nat:)

all depends on your original contract whether it stated you may be required to drive for royal mail, they started these type of contracts about 6 years ago if you got one of those then yes you would be required to drive if not then you could probably refuse

[masada]

We have been on P&L for nearly a year and about 5 of our blokes refused to drive and so far thats the way its been. Managers hate it cos they have to cover rest days with casuals that can drive. Does make me chuckle.

[POSTMAN]

As you stand now you are not a driver as you say you last drove years ago.
They are obviously aware that you have a licence and they could 'ask' you to become a P&L driver,they can't force you.
The only thing is if there are not enough drivers in the office for the duties,there could be problems.

You will not,or 'should not' get suspended for refusing to have a change over.

[CORTINA]

WITH ALL THE AGGROVATION, IT MIGHT DRIVE YOU TO DRINK...?

[chrisj]

But if it is just once in a while then I think you should drive especially if you drive your own car daily. However, if you do not drive to work, you can always say you have lost confidence in your driving ability or you are not too well (up there, nervous, stressed etc) to drive the van and a passenger inside.

I suppose having done the changeover you have made yourself known as a capable driver and since we have changed to P&L, for which we have all been paid, then it is only fair that you do some driving when needs must.

I recently worked with an old school postie who normally uses a bike and has been a passenger when other drivers were available to drive; to my surprise he lead the team (his rounds anyway) and drove perfectly compared to the wide boys that normally do collections and/or driving duties.

I am posting this reply now as I am having to wait an extra hours at home than I normally do. P&L on 30hours starts much later and to cap it, we don't even know our start time as our manager won't tell us and has not implemented Union's agreement to move us to 32.5 hours.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

4. Driving duties will be restricted to existing and volunteer new drivers and non-driving duties will be restricted to non-drivers

extract from document at http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=28344" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Natasha, Midlands]

What happens to post drivers if they lost their licence through Drink Driving or just got banned is that the job gone or would RM drop you down to a non driver postie? I think they would get rid of you..

[TrueBlueTerrier]

What happens to post drivers if they lost their licence through Drink Driving or just got banned is that the job gone or would RM drop you down to a non driver postie? I think they would get rid of you..

again covered in that document:

Dealing with drivers who invalidate themselves from driving

This is not a new problem for Royal Mail, but the increased numbers of vans in your operation may make the problems associated with this more acute. Guidance on how to deal with this situation will vary, depending on the nature of how the licence has been invalidated.

However, as a principle, all reasonable steps will be made to find alternative duties within the parent unit for people who can no longer perform a driving duty.

Licences may be invalidated for many reasons – common situations include:

1. Alcohol & Drugs
2. Medical condition
3. Driving offences, e.g. civil speeding points.

Cases can be complicated, and there will be situations which occur that are not covered in the list above. Contact the People Contact Services (0845 6060603, postline 5456 7100) for expert advice in these cases.

Appendix 6 provides the relevant policies and guidance related to the above (Alcohol/Drugs policy and Ill Health Severance, Conduct Code).

Line managers should have contingency arrangements in place in response to instances of people being unable to complete a driving duty on a given day. This may include:

The partner taking on the driving responsibility
Moving the invalidated person to a trolley route, with the person on the trolley route swapping to the van. NB. Both of the above solutions rely on people in the office being trained on multiple equipment types.
Line managers should capture UK driving licence holders in the office through the People Survey.

In essence each case will be dealt with on an individual basis.

[POSTMAN]

I suppose having done the changeover you have made yourself known as a capable driver and since we have changed to P&L, for which we have all been paid, then it is only fair that you do some driving when needs must.

Not so...ignore.

[jeanie]

I have an issue with this too!! I don't get paid extra to drive plus i would also be responsible for the van with regard to checks!! I don't check my own car I take it to a garage and pay someone to make sure everything is ok. So if a tyre is on the bold side I would be the one that gets done for it , Im not taking the responsibility for it.

[briantwigley]

Or just drive

[Patrick Clifton]

I have an issue with this too!! I don't get paid extra to drive plus i would also be responsible for the van with regard to checks!! I don't check my own car I take it to a garage and pay someone to make sure everything is ok. So if a tyre is on the bold side I would be the one that gets done for it , Im not taking the responsibility for it.

There is a procedure in place where you report problems and issues with RM vehicles. Once you complete the required paperwork it is then upto your manager and/or RM mechanics to make sure the vehicle is roadworthy.