ARGUMENT WITH NEIGHBOUR OUTSIDE OF WORK

stan_lers · Post by **stan_lers** » 30 Jul 2017, 18:47

I remember my contract saying that you shouldn't wear your uniform outside of work and commuting. It doesn't matter if it's outside your hours, you're in the uniform and representing the company. Plus, even if you're not at work, RM employs people 24/7 so the public wouldn't know that you're off duty.

In this case, it's her word against yours and she's lying by making it out to be that you were arguing as her postman, which isn't true. Someone at my office got into a fight with a customer but got out of it because the customer changed their story so it was obvious they were lying about something.

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 30 Jul 2017, 19:10

Its not really a work related matter

However, your neighbour has gone to the time and trouble to try and make your life uncomfortable at work with the intention of provoking some sort of disciplinary. Why some people go to these sort of lengths is beyond me but perhaps you should contact the Police because of your neighbour's anti-social behaviour.

Ozzvaldo · Post by **Ozzvaldo** » 30 Jul 2017, 20:12

fluxburner wrote:This was before you're start time, so it's nothing to do with royal mail even though you were in uniform.

Apparently not. A bloke from my office was sacked a couple of years ago after inflicting an act of vandalism on an ex girlfriends car while on his way to work in his uniform.

He thought she wouldn't know who'd done it because we start work so early, but she'd set up a CCTV camera on her house because he'd done it a few times before, and she produced the evidence to my DOM.

She threatened to kick up a stink in the press and turn the film over to them if he wasn't disciplined and he was subsequently dismissed for his actions while in uniform, despite the said actions being prior to his starting time. He appealed the decision and lost.

Post by **britwrit** » 30 Jul 2017, 21:49

Sorry. It's a little too late but every council has or should have an environmental health department. Among other things, they deal with noise complaints. If you've talked with your neighbour [and their landlord, if they have one,] this should be your next stop.

Some are really good at chasing up these things. Some - as I understand - aren't. But at the very least, you've started a paper trail documenting this issue.

Post by **aiden01** » 30 Jul 2017, 22:17

Ozzvaldo wrote:
fluxburner wrote:This was before you're start time, so it's nothing to do with royal mail even though you were in uniform.
Apparently not. A bloke from my office was sacked a couple of years ago after inflicting an act of vandalism on an ex girlfriends car while on his way to work in his uniform.

He thought she wouldn't know who'd done it because we start work so early, but she'd set up a CCTV camera on her house because he'd done it a few times before, and she produced the evidence to my DOM.

She threatened to kick up a stink in the press and turn the film over to them if he wasn't disciplined and he was subsequently dismissed for his actions while in uniform, despite the said actions being prior to his starting time. He appealed the decision and lost.

Surely he would be sacked from any job for an act of vandalism..

Post by **rogersh** » 30 Jul 2017, 23:00

One day I wore my R.M. hi-Viz, R.M. trousers, my own shirt, I.D. Badge - a new neighbour remarked "Oh you work for Royal Mail" . I then departed to RDC on my bicycle.
What if at a later stage we had an altercation as I was leaving for work, but I was wearing my R.M trousers, my own shirt, I.D. badge in pocket. No hi viz.
She could eventually find out exactly where I worked & report the altercation, but would wearing R.M. trousers be enough uniform to count!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 31 Jul 2017, 11:58

aiden01 wrote:
Ozzvaldo wrote:
fluxburner wrote:This was before you're start time, so it's nothing to do with royal mail even though you were in uniform.
Apparently not. A bloke from my office was sacked a couple of years ago after inflicting an act of vandalism on an ex girlfriends car while on his way to work in his uniform.

He thought she wouldn't know who'd done it because we start work so early, but she'd set up a CCTV camera on her house because he'd done it a few times before, and she produced the evidence to my DOM.

She threatened to kick up a stink in the press and turn the film over to them if he wasn't disciplined and he was subsequently dismissed for his actions while in uniform, despite the said actions being prior to his starting time. He appealed the decision and lost.
Surely he would be sacked from any job for an act of vandalism..

Not necessarily, In most cases only if convicted, and if the dismissal was a reasonable decision. In the case described above, he wasn't but the decision was reasonable because he brought RM into disrepute. If had not worn his uniform, or at least covered it up, the decision to dismiss MAY have been different.

I honestly think in the OPs case it will be a slap on the wrist and told to be more careful in future.

taxi4leighton · Post by **taxi4leighton** » 31 Jul 2017, 14:14

if there are no witnesses deny everything

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 31 Jul 2017, 14:22

In poker that's called "All In" - a brave move but not one, I would endorse.

Tman · Post by **Tman** » 31 Jul 2017, 15:04

taxi4leighton wrote:if there are no witnesses deny everything

Or better, just say it was a gentle discussion in which your neighbour got a little heated while you attempted to reason with her but kept calm throughout.
If some other dopey neighbour pops up as a witness you'll look to be a liar if you deny everything.

boardy · Post by **boardy** » 04 Aug 2017, 18:56

Had a run in with a work colleague one sat night,ended up being moved,down to HR ultimately,

Post by **POSTMAN** » 04 Aug 2017, 22:53

It's a bit dodgy because of the uniform wearing, but that said any manager worth his salt should just dismiss it as a neighbour dispute.
If it goes further it's really harsh and very scummy of the business.

Say they have another row on a non working/ non wearing uniform day and the neighbour decides to use RM again, it could go on forever!

Common sense?

Ricardo44 · Post by **Ricardo44** » 05 Aug 2017, 08:13

Its good that she reported it at the DO and not by ringing customer complaints.

As long as you get on ok with your DOM he should be able to use his discretion and deal with it locally without the need for it to be made a formal complaint.

This will earn your DOM a bit of respect from you and your colleagues as it seems that he is looking after his staff instead of trying to drop him in it.

It would also mean that you owe your DOM a favour and he may well call it in when its your day off and he has awalk he can't cover.

Been in similar situations myself.

We all know the score and DOMs know the score.

Whatever happens I can't see you getting sacked over this.