Wilful delay threat, and forced to work through break.

[stamysox]

Need some help.

Today we had to deliver those sun newspapers, but left the office 20mins earlier than usual, I had a brief look to mention to the DOM that we might not complete. However after a few minutes I couldn't find them so we decided to have the mentality of 'C'mon lets just run round as fast as we can and we should actually be able to do it in time.'

Unfortunately, when it got to 12:30 it became apparent that we wouldn't have time to complete, so we decided to ring the office, 7-9 mins of waiting for somebody to answer the phone gave us the impression that nobody was going to answer, so we would try again after the next loop. Again 6-7 mins passed and still no answer.

When we returned at 2:10 (finish time 2:40), I walked into the managers office to notify them that we had brought a loop each back, to which they replied 'No you haven't' I then repeated that I had and they then proceeded to shout at me, that if I didn't complete the walk I would be conducted tomorrow morning for wilful delay. I admit I shouted back due to the aggressive response I was being given. I told them what happened and they said because I didn't follow procedure (notifying them before we left) that it's wilful delay. Although I told them the day before that we wouldn't have time after seeing them put in the frames.

They then went on to tell me we bought 'the wrong loops back' To which I replied 'You have spoken to me in the office about late delivery of specials before, hence why we broke away from the normal routine and did those loops first before 1:00pm.

I have responsibilities and cannot work overtime and feel i'm being victimized because of it. (others were still out on their deliveries because they can accept overtime)
My partner and I decided to finish those loops and worked till 3:00pm without a single break, due to this my wife was late for work (We have a small child and no childminder) and has subsequently received a warning for being late.

This is not an uncommon situation, a few months back I was shouted at across the office with the response 'I don't care if you have a nervous breakdown! your not doing your job properly!' and when you do say before you go out on delivery that you might not finish the answer is always 'Yes you will, or Yes you can you have time'

EDIT: they also mentioned that We would have to sit in the office and stay there till 2:40 and take our break if we didn't take the loops out.

[wannabeek]

Do you have a union rep? I thought ours was useless but even he (nor 80% of the rest of the office) would stand by and allow that to happen to a colleague.

[k979aaa]

Very bad that R/M treat you this way but it is not uncommon let this be a lesson to you and others not saying that out of spite but through experience I too had this happen to me made me make sure I told them before hand and a witness and duly cut off! Bastards

[holly123]

NOTHING NEW THIS MATE PUT IN A COMPLAINT GET THEM TO TEST YOU ,IF YOUR UP TO SPEED NO WORRIES ,BUT USE THE CWU DIARY TO NOTE EVERYTHING DOWN ,MANAGERS ARE FAILED POSTMEN WE COULD DO THERE JOB BUT THEY COULDN'T DO OURS

[stamysox]

NOTHING NEW THIS MATE PUT IN A COMPLAINT GET THEM TO TEST YOU ,IF YOUR UP TO SPEED NO WORRIES ,BUT USE THE CWU DIARY TO NOTE EVERYTHING DOWN ,MANAGERS ARE FAILED POSTMEN WE COULD DO THERE JOB BUT THEY COULDN'T DO OURS

I have asked over 10 times for somebody to shadow me, or at least tell me what i'm doing wrong!
Of course there is never a response, because I do it as i'm told, in fact some people actually 'hide' some letters which are out of the way, purely so they can finish on time.

And nobody has the time for van checks.
I do mine at home on a staurday when i finish.

All your ever met with is 'the figures are lower than a model day, therefore you have time!'

[stamysox]

Do you have a union rep? I thought ours was useless but even he (nor 80% of the rest of the office) would stand by and allow that to happen to a colleague.

Yes, they have put a grieveance as well as others about 'bullying' by the DOM.
Where do I stand with regards to 'wilful delay' conduct meeting tomorrow?

[spiderj]

Please tell me you used your mobile to call in as per procedure?
If so happy days
Photograph the call log

[hans solo]

correct and should have showed them calls and refused to go back out on forced ot

[dazzlin72]

Not quite the same, but I had a similar situation happen to me a few yrs ago. When we had bicycles, my chain snapped, & so having to cut off to get back to the office in time by walking, I tried to phone manager without success. I arrived back at office with bag of mail, explained to manager, & he said "I'll sack your arse", I said "try it!", as had proof of trying to phone him on my phone log. Next day, nice as pie, he says "let bygones be bygones", as he knew he was in the wrong, & that was as near to an apology as I was going to get.
As long as you still have a record of phoning the office on your phone log you should be alright, as you attempted to make contact as soon as it was clear you couldn't finish in time.

[stamysox]

Please tell me you used your mobile to call in as per procedure?
If so happy days
Photograph the call log

Actually this reminds me of another situation;

I'm probably the only person not to have a mobile, so i asked what was the procedure? response was to find a telephone box or somebody with a telephone and ring them. Next thing I know when I get back I get a bollocking for leaving my delivery area to do so!

But yes this time it's on my partner's call logs.

[spiderj]

Your rocking then matey
As long as you tried your utmost your covered
Good luck and do t go in alone just in case there are any misunderstandings

[mildred]

Be careful, have you rep with you. If it goes to a fact finding interview don't sign anything if it's not right but remember to state why you wont sign. Found my manager had bundled and bagged my walk when I arrived one morning, unbeknownst the to me he had put 4 bundles to one side and forgot about them. They weere found by another manager who reported it, my manager denied he had done my bags (even with witnesses).I was accused of wilful delay and sacked, lost appeal my dom changed some facts at appeal. Union taking it tribunal. Moral of story do not believe a word RM /DOM say!

[Jpro747]

Why the f**k are "managers" still getting away with this, absolutely disgraceful this should be put in a newspaper or tv documentary. So much for the new deal which was supposed to create fairness, dignity and respect in the workplace???

[arnold cheshire]

management once or twice in our office said you had to TAKE your break dont put up with bullying

[Chelseablue]

Anyone think there numbers are fiddled regarding mail,bein down for that day? Things I've heard recently mk me think they are.