2-year Suspended Dismissal- Worth Appealing??

[favata001g]

Hi all, I'm on a 24-hour 3month contract and been in the job just over 3 months (just received my new contract). I've had a clear conduct record, never been off sick and had no customer complaints. I work an average of 16-20 hours overtime every week (through choice!) by going to other offices etc.

2 weeks ago on thursday, I was on delivery and had 2 recorded letters for 2 addresses on X Road. There was nobody home so I tried neighbours on both sides, no luck. I went to get out a P739 and realised I'd run out (not taken enough out with me). I panicked a bit, put the letters back in my pouch and decided I'd come back later in the round to try to redeliver (this was the same at both addresses).

As the round went on I was getting pushed for time, as I had committed to doing 1/2 walk overtime at another office. The manager from that office called me a couple of times to make sure I'd be over on time. I'll be completely honest and say that I forgot about the 2 recorded letters in my pouch as I was under pressure to get to other office. Friday was my rest day and again I worked at that same other office, where I use their pouches. Saturday morning I realised I had these 2 recordeds in my pouch, so I went and put them both in the IPS sorting frame, not try to hide them in the walk's frame.

The guy who's duty it was saw these 2 letters and went directly to line manager and reported these 2 letters. I was subsequently pulled into the office, suspended from delivery until it was investigated (with the joy of prepping door to doors for the whole office!)

I had my fact finding interview with the line manager and it was then passed onto DOM for further interview. Most of the people I spoke to said I would get a 1-2 year serious. Even the Union reps said the same. I knew I wasn't going to be dismissed as I was told this at interview, but got my letter today- 2 year suspended dismissal. Should I appeal? What should I put as my reasons??

Any advice would be great thanks!

[spoodoo]

Guy grassed u up ,,

[maisymoo04]

Fish tank will help you

[FinishOnTime]

Seems pretty watertight, your best bet would have been going to your gaffer with the letters and explaining the situation, they generally don't give a stuff about recordeds unless there's been a complaint, so they may have been sympathetic. Once the duty holder stuck his nose in, they didn't really have much choice, had to be seen to be doing something about it.

Use it as a lesson learned.

[Stella102]

people leave recordeds and packets daily at our office this is unbelievable, however it does come under accidental wilful delay.

[fishtank]

been in the job just over 3 months

2 year suspended dismissal. Should I appeal?

Tough call.

1.You're technically supposed to be still in your training period so using the conduct code to discipline you is harsh and your union rep should have used this in mitigation.

but....

2.You're technically still in your probationary period and as such subject to a 13 and 26 week review as to whether you meet the required standards.

You are not in a strong position to appeal.
And your colleague is a lowlife.

[ninjaposty]

Sad day on the post when not only do you have to worry about a manager finding out if you've made a genuine mistake.Now you have to look out for other posties grassing you up.

[UnhappyGremlin]

I'd say no.
I think you have kind of gotten away with it. Plus, an appeal may possibly lead to your contract not being renewed.
It's risky to say the least. Though I think it is an excessive punishment, I don't think an appeal would be successful.

[immortaltechnique]

In our office if you hadn't been so obliging doing all that over-time they would have kicked your ass straight out of the door.

I would advise you not to appeal and keep your head down

[daveyeff]

it more than likely wouldve been totally un-noticed had you have put them through the door just as a normal letter and not said anything. as was pointed out before, they dont give a shyte about recordeds or tracked unless someone complains. ive put a signed for through a door a few times when ive ran out of 739s, not that im condoning it mind, but you probably would have just got a ticking off for putting them through the door without getting a signature. you couldve held your hands up and said it was a mistake had someone complained. but putting them back in the frame you were risking a wilful delay charge there. you really have been lucky they didnt go down that route. put it down to a bad experience and take it on the chin.

[SP115]

Your colleague is whats formerly known as a c***.

[daveyeff]

Your colleague is whats formerly known as a c***.

formerly known? a c*** is a c*** and no mistake. i would be letting him know as well.

[maisymoo04]

Collegue he's not one of them he's a f@@@ little rat , hope he sees these posts

[favata001g]

Thanks for the messages guys, that's the general feeling I'm getting but I want you to read this.....

Went into DOM's office yesterday and said no union reps are in this week and I've only been given 3 days to appeal, but I obviously I've not had a chance to get any advice. He cut me off and I quote......

'Here's some advice for ya. I was gonna sack ya, a you should feel lucky and grateful that you still have a job. So what I suggest us you go out there, get on with your job, don't make any more mistakes and take it on the chin. That's the best advice I'll ever give ya!' I just want to know why he doesn't want me to appeal so bad, what implications could it have for him? (He has 2 staff grievances against him by the way)

I couldn't believe his tone but in a way I sort of agree with just moving on because it could get to mid-September (my 2nd contract renewal date) and he could just end my contract and not renew it, although now I hope that won't happen seeing as September onwards is the busy time of year for us.

I just want to keep my job l, keep doing my overtime if it's there, and get on with no struggles. I can now appreciate the types of people in the different offices and will learn from this.

Slightly off point but What's the realistic Of chance of me being made up to full time once our revision kicks in? (August/September supposedly) and how has this worked at other offices with the part timers?

[Stormproof]

Slightly off point but What's the realistic Of chance of me being made up to full time once our revision kicks in? (August/September supposedly) and how has this worked at other offices with the part timers?

We've recently had yet another P&L revision and 17 of our P/T FTC have been made up to F/T Permanent.