Shared van rules. First post edited with full list

[derricksmyth]

Use of fixed pairings/pods to reduce exposure

Asked my Dom, manager & union reps, not a Scooby Do what fixed pairing pods are

They are used on Star Trek to evacuate the Enterprise ,prior to explosion !!

[Schiff]

I would love to know RM's thinking behind this.

In our depot Covid related absences are already starting to bite, whether people have tested positive, are isolating due to a family member who has tested positive or the app is saying that they should isolate.

Surely all that van sharing is going to do is to increase the number of people who have to take time off - at the busiest time of the year. If you shared a van with someone who then tests positive you have to isolate and take 2 weeks off work. The voluntary van sharers are pretty much, by definition, those who are likely to take social distancing less seriously, so are more likely to contract Covid in the first place.

[theotherone]

Can anyone confirm you will be paid sick pay if you have to isolate and you are van sharing? RM recently changed the rules about people having to isolate back off holiday having pay stopped.
A very grey area IMO by the way im 10000% against van share return absolute criminal.

[Jahpostie]

It's a good question and we need absolute clarity.

[mjd24]

Some of our reserves said they did not mind van sharing, but named a few posties they would not be prepared to jump back into a van with, mainly due to their personal hygiene.

Im not surprised.Saw one Office rusharound go for a sh1t today then flew out the toilets to get out early without washing His hands.Bloody disgusting I’m thinking of reporting Him to be honest.

Ive witnessed this a few times in my office, even since the pandemic. It is really disgusting isnt it? I cant get my head around it, and then you start to think of all the letters etc theyre about to touch on the sorting . . . Just so wrong.

[ninja]

The real reason why its voluntary

http://e-lawresources.co.uk/Volenti-non-fit-injuria.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ThatsNotPlumb]

Here is the safety risk assessment for ‘voluntary’ two in a van.
1. Manager assurance process........
2. Voluntary basis
3. Use of fixed pairings/pods to reduce exposure
4. Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals are excluded
5. Maximum of two occupants (driver + passenger) in vehicle
6. Vehicle windows to be open when vehicle is occupied and in use.
7. Vehicle air conditioning to be turned off
8. Vehicle air circulation on
9. Mandatory use of face coverings/masks for both while in van...........
19. Time in the shared van to be kept to as short as possible, for example breaks or lunch should not be taken together.
20. In the event of local restrictions/outbreaks the use of shared vans to be reviewed.

Anybody that voluntarily returns to van sharing needs to get their head examined.

My favourite rule(s) are windows to be open when the vehicle is occupied & no air conditioning, so you won't give each other Coronavirus, you will however get hypothermia.

[k979aaa]

Here is the safety risk assessment for ‘voluntary’ two in a van.
1. Manager assurance process........
2. Voluntary basis
3. Use of fixed pairings/pods to reduce exposure
4. Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals are excluded
5. Maximum of two occupants (driver + passenger) in vehicle
6. Vehicle windows to be open when vehicle is occupied and in use.
7. Vehicle air conditioning to be turned off
8. Vehicle air circulation on
9. Mandatory use of face coverings/masks for both while in van...........
19. Time in the shared van to be kept to as short as possible, for example breaks or lunch should not be taken together.
20. In the event of local restrictions/outbreaks the use of shared vans to be reviewed.

Am I allowed my cat he's called jess does he have to ware a mask?

[DGH]

I was told by one of our managers that 'fixed pairing pods' might be 'pods of up to 5 people' for reserves in our office.

up to 5 is obviously a novel definition of 'fixed pair' and you really have to admire the ability of RM management to flexibly interpret rules in order to make things easier for themselves.

[HTPostman]

I prefer to work alone in the van. Its been a lot less stressful and I can go at my own pace than when being paired up.

I agree and I think most will however this is where things are getting confused. People saying they don’t want to van share because they prefer working on their own is not the discussion that is being had. I think some are hiding behind the virus to try and continue to wok on their own. Would love to see the daily habits of some who are saying they won’t van share.

Its not hard to hide behind to be fair

Its the worst moment RM could have chosen to reintroduce it

If they had attempted during a period where the cases were really low it'd be harder to argue against but even then you could argue its low because of distancing

It really does feel like this is their only plan to deal with the ‘surprise’ Xmas rush.

I do however feel RM are in a tricky position - even if they wanted to hire more vans in most depots there’s nowhere to keep them.

There’s a way of doing things without extra vans and without van sharing, but it would involve people willing to work on a rota, one week coming in a few hours later to finish a few hours later. And we all know that won’t happen. Some people here would prefer to argue for 20 minutes over 10 minutes of lapsing, no chance of them being flexible and willing to help out on this front.

[Woody Guthrie]

First post edited with full list of rules..