Suspension Rights

[Jack113]

Hi

I've only been in the job for a few weeks but I have just been placed on a suspension for being unable to deliver all of my mail within the designated time. An official meeting has been arranged and I have been told by my Manager that I can bring along an official witness, but he or she must be an employee of Royal Mail.

My problem is that as I've only been in the job for a few weeks I have not had chance to make any friends yet ( also I am not a union member ). As I do not want to go into this meeting totally alone I was wondering if I could take a family member with me (if only for moral support) or is this strictly not allowed??

This (if true) seems a little unfair to be honest and was just wondering if anyone knew if this was right or if they could point me in the right direction of where I might seek advice for a situation like this.

Many Thanks

[rhino49]

Have you had any previous interviews or warnings about not being able to fit a quart into a pint pot? What sort of ongoing training have you had, indeed do you have a trainer in your office?. Suspension for what you describe seems like overkill and counselling and encouragement would be more in order if you are a relatively new member of staff. Better to have a member of staff with you and preferably one who will not be bullied by the manager, a member of your family who would be able to say little more than "that's not fair" would probably be more hindrance than help.

[VforVendetta]

Join the union now. Find out who your office rep is and join straight away. If you can't find office rep then try this link:
http://www.cwu.org/join.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jack113]

I approached the union rep a week ago about joining the union and his reply was "i should hold off for a while yet as you're still finding your feet, but dont worry, i will still represent you in any matters"..which i did think was a bit of a strange thing for him to say at the time.

I told this to my manager when he suspended me but he said that as i am not a member of the union, he's pretty sure that he would not agree to attend.

Of course I cant even contact the union rep myself as I do not have his contact details and I have been forbidden by the manager from entering the premises until our next "investagatory" meeting

The whole thing feels completely unprofessional tbh, but my hands feel tied at the moment:/

[Jack113]

...and no, i've not had any previous interviews or warnings about this reason for suspension

[Jack113]

btw thanks for the link to the union website, but would they prevent me from joining as i am now officially on a suspension?

[JoeWagg]

Seems a bit harsh for a new starter?

[Jack113]

Yup:/

Other thing manager said to me (which seems a bit ill informed) was that i have in some way committed a very serious offence that could go onto my record when applying for future jobs by not managing to deliver all mail in the allotted time.

I worked to the best of my ability for the full duration of my contracted shift..infact i even work 45 mins over, then returned the remainder of the mail to the depot and locked it securely inside the drivers room as the main depot was locked up for the day.

The entire meeting did feel like he was attempting to badger me into resigning by feeding me a scare story.

[OnAFlyer]

Yup:/

Other thing manager said to me (which seems a bit ill informed) was that i have in some way committed a very serious offence that could go onto my record when applying for future jobs by not managing to deliver all mail in the allotted time.

I worked to the best of my ability for the full duration of my contracted shift..infact i even work 45 mins over, then returned the remainder of the mail to the depot and locked it securely inside the drivers room as the main depot was locked up for the day.

The entire meeting did feel like he was attempting to badger me into resigning by feeding me a scare story.

Did you inform the manager before leaving the office that you would be unable to complete, and ask him what to do if you couldn't?

If you didn't inform a manager and just brought mail back then it is wilful delay and they could sack you - however the manager sounds a knob and if it happened in our office the new starter would probably just be given a bit of a talking to and warned about not following RM procedures in future.

[Barbel]

Wow sounds really harsh to me considering you're only new. Did you get any proper training and were you on the same job or different ones every day? Also were you taking post back every single day? The only time you get moaned in our office is if specials aren't delivered on time and you take tracked items back. If you get put on a job you haven't done before, haven't been shown and you take mail back and as long as you tell them before you leave the office you don't think you'll complete they can't say a lot.

[hampshireman]

Yup:/

Other thing manager said to me (which seems a bit ill informed) was that i have in some way committed a very serious offence that could go onto my record when applying for future jobs by not managing to deliver all mail in the allotted time.

I worked to the best of my ability for the full duration of my contracted shift..infact i even work 45 mins over, then returned the remainder of the mail to the depot and locked it securely inside the drivers room as the main depot was locked up for the day.

The entire meeting did feel like he was attempting to badger me into resigning by feeding me a scare story.

Did you inform the manager before leaving the office that you would be unable to complete, and ask him what to do if you couldn't?

If you didn't inform a manager and just brought mail back then it is wilful delay and they could sack you - however the manager sounds a knob and if it happened in our office the new starter would probably just be given a bit of a talking to and warned about not following RM procedures in future.

It is not willful delay!!!

Read the procedure about overrunning deliveries. (Note that the OPG had no alternative about what to do with the returned mail)

Also , understand that 'wilful' means that their was intent. This case is closed before it is opened.

[fb1969]

Use the CWU link and click on "contact us" and give them a ring. They should give you some advice, even if its just about joining.

[hantsman]

Yup:/

Other thing manager said to me (which seems a bit ill informed) was that i have in some way committed a very serious offence that could go onto my record when applying for future jobs by not managing to deliver all mail in the allotted time.

I worked to the best of my ability for the full duration of my contracted shift..infact i even work 45 mins over, then returned the remainder of the mail to the depot and locked it securely inside the drivers room as the main depot was locked up for the day.

The entire meeting did feel like he was attempting to badger me into resigning by feeding me a scare story.

Did you inform the manager before leaving the office that you would be unable to complete, and ask him what to do if you couldn't?

If you didn't inform a manager and just brought mail back then it is wilful delay and they could sack you - however the manager sounds a knob and if it happened in our office the new starter would probably just be given a bit of a talking to and warned about not following RM procedures in future.

What's the betting the the manager never ever informed the OP the cut off procedure?

[Jack113]

youre right, he didnt!

..what is it btw?

[fishtank]

This is your get out of jail card.

b) All employees should be informed of the local authorised arrangements, in writing, preferably in plastic card form if available.

Conduct Code Appendix 3 Section 3.2 (b)
Use it.