Help and advice needed please.

[stevezx7r]

I've been a postman for around 3 years now. Unfortunately, since being given a new round with a new partner things have rapidly gone down hill. My partner has been logging complaints about me, the first was re not helping her deliver packets. By the way, I'm the driver if that makes any difference. This was brought to the attention of my supervisor who requested me in his office with a union rep to explain the situation. I told him I was delivering packets on my side of the round but wasn't sure where they were on her side so had to wait for her to get back to the van where we both would deliver them. As I'm only part time it has taken a few weeks to familiarise myself with the other streets etc. The following day I made more effort in delivering her packets. A week passed by before my "partner" and I had an exchange of words in the van where she accused me of bad/erratic driving. This then got brought to the attention of the manager. So, I was told to pop into his office where a union rep was present. I was told the other person has logged another complaint and that I was being moved from my round. I have now been offered two options by the manager. The first option is to go on collections which is from 3pm - 6pm monday to friday. I can't
do this due to having two young children to collect from school. The other option he offered me was to work every Thursday, Friday and Saturday on another round. He was very particular about this as it's the heavier part of the week and he was insistant on me completing my 5 hours per day, which I do anyway, but working every weekend feels very unfair. He also passed comment on "hearing rumbles in the jungle" as he put it, that I would drop bags as the traffic increased towards Christmas.

Without going into too much detail, my personal life is under a great deal of stress at the moment and this has been the last straw. I was signed off work by my doctor for two weeks due to stress. I handed my sick note in today and received a hand delivered letter requesting me to a meeting re. my sickness. I was on a level three sickness warning due to breaking my ribs a while ago so I'm concerned I'm about to loose my job.

What should/can I do?

[clashcityrocker]

If you are in the union and you are facing a stage 3 dismissal interview you need to contact your Area Rep.

[stevezx7r]

I'm not in a union.

[BarnsleyLackey]

The lass in question has obviously got a grudge against you. You need to find out what she calls erratic driving, and what makes her an expert on it. If she double bags her trolley, and you do the same - no need to drive round in van with em.

[stevezx7r]

Yeah, sounds like she just doesn't like me. I get on with everyone else and have never had anything like this before so it is a surprise. I doubt I'll be back on my own round while she's there anyway.

[General Mannerheim]

I'm not in a union.

[BarnsleyLackey]

Join in the morning.

[stevezx7r]

Who would I speak to about joining?

[k979aaa]

Who would I speak to about joining?

If you do not have a rep see the http://www.cwu.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; must be a link to your area rep on there.

[stevezx7r]

Ok, thanks. Might take some time to join though and my meeting is tomorrow.

[Rory]

Join online now just Google CWU application form and email it to joinunion@cwu.org. Then tell your rep you're in the union and have joined online, maybe don't tell him you only did it last night after the s#it hit the fan.

[k979aaa]

Word of advice never go into an interview refuse or take a rep or someone you know well.

[stevezx7r]

Can I refuse to go? I haven't had time to get representation yet so....?

[rehabron]

I've been a postman for around 3 years now. Unfortunately, since being given a new round with a new partner things have rapidly gone down hill. My partner has been logging complaints about me, the first was re not helping her deliver packets. By the way, I'm the driver if that makes any difference. This was brought to the attention of my supervisor who requested me in his office with a union rep to explain the situation. I told him I was delivering packets on my side of the round but wasn't sure where they were on her side so had to wait for her to get back to the van where we both would deliver them. As I'm only part time it has taken a few weeks to familiarise myself with the other streets etc. The following day I made more effort in delivering her packets. A week passed by before my "partner" and I had an exchange of words in the van where she accused me of bad/erratic driving. This then got brought to the attention of the manager. So, I was told to pop into his office where a union rep was present. I was told the other person has logged another complaint and that I was being moved from my round. I have now been offered two options by the manager. The first option is to go on collections which is from 3pm - 6pm monday to friday. I can't
do this due to having two young children to collect from school. The other option he offered me was to work every Thursday, Friday and Saturday on another round. He was very particular about this as it's the heavier part of the week and he was insistant on me completing my 5 hours per day, which I do anyway, but working every weekend feels very unfair. He also passed comment on "hearing rumbles in the jungle" as he put it, that I would drop bags as the traffic increased towards Christmas.

Without going into too much detail, my personal life is under a great deal of stress at the moment and this has been the last straw. I was signed off work by my doctor for two weeks due to stress. I handed my sick note in today and received a hand delivered letter requesting me to a meeting re. my sickness. I was on a level three sickness warning due to breaking my ribs a while ago so I'm concerned I'm about to loose my job.



What should/can I do?

Some Questions:
1) What decision was taken when you triggered a stage 3 for breaking your ribs?
2) Can u be more specific in time rather than " a while ago"?
3) Was the breaking your ribs work connected?
4) Have you received your back to work meeting after your absence with stress?
5) Does your handed letter state an informal discussion or a stage3 prompt interview
6) Does the letter notify you of your right to be accompanied at this interview and if so request a postponement for you to make arrangements.
7) Use the postponement to become a union member.
On the other matter of the disagreement with your partner I am assuming that there is nothing in writing so thi will have no bearing on the sickness interview.

[stevezx7r]

1) What decision was taken when you triggered a stage 3 for breaking your ribs?

This was last year and iirc I was told I would stay on the stage 3 for the next year.

2) Can u be more specific in time rather than " a while ago"?

It happened around September last year.

3) Was the breaking your ribs work connected?

No.

4) Have you received your back to work meeting after your absence with stress?

No.


5) Does your handed letter state an informal discussion or a stage3 prompt interview

The letter says - "I would like you to attend the office at 0900 on the 10th of October 2014 to speak to me regarding your current absence and what support I can give you to help you back to work".


6) Does the letter notify you of your right to be accompanied at this interview and if so request a postponement for you to make arrangements.


The letter also states - "I will arrange for your CWU representative to be present. Please note, that failing to attent this meeting will give me no other option than to stop your pay for being non co-operative regarding your curent absence".

7) Use the postponement to become a union member.

Will do, if I can postpone it.