Wiveliscombe comes together to save sacked postman Jim Denslow

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/ ... __sacking/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A COMMUNITY has rallied round a town postman after he was sacked over an incident involving a wrongly-applied handbrake.

Jim Denslow was let go by the Royal Mail after failing to correctly apply his handbrake during his round in Wiveliscombe.

The post van rolled and bumped into another van, but damage was only done to the post van, including a broken light.

Now, business owners and residents from the area are hitting out at the “disproportionate” decision and are calling for the reinstatement of their beloved postman.

“I love the job and I just want to be back there,” said Mr Denslow.

“The reaction I have got from the people here has been great, I really feel like they are behind me.

“I understand that I could have knocked someone over but nothing that extreme happened.

“Normally people would receive a driving ban for a period of time and that would be it.


“The whole of Wiveliscombe have just been amazing, I have seen lots of petitions asking for me to have my job back.”


Petition maker Kate Manfield with Jim Denslow

An online petition was started and has so far received more than 400 signatures asking for the post office to change its mind.

Mr Denslow is currently going through the appeal process to get his job back, but it has left him vulnerable before Christmas.

Comments in support of Mr Denslow on the petition include calling him a “loyal”, “reliable” and “friendly” worker.

Meanwhile, a union ‘gate meeting’ took place that saw the majority of the Taunton office opting for industrial action in support of Mr Denslow.

Christine Carey, of Aisle Altar Hymn bridal store in Wiveliscombe, backed the campaign to get Mr Denslow his job back.

“Jim has been a postman for 27 years and I don’t think anyone would have a bad word to say about him,” she said.

“We feel that his punishment is disproportionate, he feels like criminal now.


“We think a warning would be have sufficient but now we just want to make him smile before Christmas.”

It is believed that an appeal decision will be reached next week.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “As this case is subject to appeal we are unable to comment further at this time.”

To sign the petition visit http://www.petitions24.com/signatures/r ... w/start/20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

[trythat]

Was it by chance a Vauxhall Combo? We've had a number of instances of this happening and lost more cases than we've won. If he didn't leave it in gear, then it's almost impossible to win case. Very dissapointing, as his supporters say, it's a bit over the top to sack someone for a mistake.

[slinder123]

always a happy fkr about

[datasaint]

People need to appreciate the seriousness of failing to apply handbrake/put in gear though, it has the potential to kill, hence why the punishment is so severe.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... ke-8131819" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news ... -1-7332806" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 18&t=61780" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lincox]

There is a need to take maximum care when parking a vehicle. However, as usual the punishment is not meted out on the basis of a severe reprimand and final warning but purely on the basis of the longevity of this man's service and this company's long term plan to reduce what will eventually cost them a lot of money in redundancy costs and being able to replace him with someone on a part time contract.

[trythat]

always a happy fkr about

You might well think that, but as I said, I've had people sacked in my office due to handbrakes dropping on vans. All the vans have been Vauxhall Combo's.
It's not a nice feeling to see poeple lose their livelyhood due to a fault with the vans, and as others have said in past threads, the punishment is over the top.

[rubberbond]

People need to appreciate the seriousness of failing to apply handbrake/put in gear though, it has the potential to kill, hence why the punishment is so severe.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... ke-8131819" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news ... -1-7332806" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 18&t=61780" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So do a lot of other things, that don't warrant dismissal, like driving a van,not fit for purpose.
. A prima facia case of gross overreaction. It can't be that difficult to,defend, surely? All you have to do at appeal, is demand the training records and briefings that he received, which, in all likelihood don't exist, then say ,well if you are providing faulty equipment,used unknowingly by our colleagues,then what happened to,safety first and this is clearly a case for the HSE,or VOSA,or both.

[Pompey Boy]

Shame he didn't work for the NHS and made a mistake that resulted in the death of a patient. At the very most he would have suspended on full pay for a few weeks.