Special delivery mistake

[Rosie242]

Hi,

I’ve been a postie now for just under a year. Today I accidentally posted a Special delivery letter through the wrong letterbox. I knocked and there was no answer, luckily I knew who the letter was for, just a few doors down. I explained what had happened and she was ok about it said mistakes happen etc and that she would try the door again later.

Unfortunately my manager wasn’t in today so I could not let him know. Am I at risk of getting sacked? I know how important SD are and I’m now worried.

Has anything similar like this happened to any of you?

Thank you for any advice.

[andyclemo]

First of all you should never post a special delivery through someones door. No matter what you have been told by other posties you should always knock for special deliveries and 739 it if no one is in. You are putting yourself at risk doing anything else.

On this occasion you just have to hope the woman gets her special with no problem and doesn't make a complaint. Whether you tell your manager or not is entirely up to you. Some will be fine, realise its just a mistake and would take no action as long as a complaint wasn't made. Others would try and get you sacked or even hold it against you to try and force you to clear walks/go over your time etc. I would suggest speaking to your union rep before doing anything

[Jahpostie]

Say nothing. Deny everything and you'll be alright. There is no proof you didn't hand it to her.

[Oxygenpro]

Did you scan it?

[FirstPost]

As long as it had a delivery scan and you don't get a complaint i wouldn't worry

[ted_e_bear]

Ignore the above comment regarding denying everything that's just stupid advice, you've obviously spoken to the intended recipient and it seems she's ok with the mistake, I'm assuming you went through the process of scanning then inputting name and signing xp1/cv19, if so and the neighbours sort it out then it'll be fine, it'll only become an issue if the intended recipient denies receipt.

However, if you didn't scan it before you posted it then expect a conversation with your dom (obviously you posted it accidentally) or that you somehow didn't scan it when you handed it over which could blow up into a real problem if the recipient can't retrieve it.

In either case I would keep quiet unless you're asked about it.

[ted_e_bear]

As long as it had a delivery scan and you don't get a complaint i wouldn't worry

Absolutely, see my longer post above, fingers crossed for you

[Dexydog]

A lie will always bite you on the backside.
Be upfront and honest.
We've all done it- loads of times I have something in each hand and put the wrong one through letterbox.
It's easy to knock, write out a 739 then post the item instead and then then think f##k as you see the 739 in your hand.
You cannot be sacked for making a mistake.
And don't keep quiet, that just says you've something to hide if a complaint does come in.

[Babel071]

Say nothing. Deny everything and you'll be alright. There is no proof you didn't hand it to her.

Did you get that advice from Boris Johnson?

[burtons]

Just be honest and tell your dom when you get into work,honesty always best policy in my book.no come backs then....and nothing to worry about then

[Route1]

It's easy to knock, write out a 739 then post the item instead and then then think f##k as you see the 739 in your hand.

I remember when i done this with a rec letter.

I've posted a special through a door & not realised until I got back to the office. This was pre-PDA when we had a slip for the signatures. One of the tracking numbers didnt have a signature or marked as "shut". Dom said it happened to a few people that day. Didnt seemed bothered nor was I.

Also posted a special (fake foreign one) through the wrong close last year. I told the recipient who was ok about. I tried to retrieve when on an afternoon collection, but no luck. Went to tell the recipient who told me the guy had brought it round an hour ago.

Worst that will happen is a 2 year warning.(unlikely unless there is a denial of receipt + the dom is twat).
Most likely thing to happen is nothing and told to be more careful.

[steve1873]

Say nothing. Deny everything and you'll be alright. There is no proof you didn't hand it to her.

Apart from the GPS data (assuming he scanned item) and the fact he went to the intended recipients House and told them exactly where he had delivered it, which would be corroborated by said GPS data in the even of a fact finding.

[TopperGas]

Say nothing. Deny everything and you'll be alright. There is no proof you didn't hand it to her.

Not surprised to see that you're apparently "ex Royal Mail"!!

[priority102]

If you are worried about your mistake, and you say you have already seen the intended recipient who was OK with your explanation and apology, in order to put your mind at rest why not simply return to the intended recipient and ask if they managed to get their item OK as you were very concerned? If they say yes and are still OK about the situation, simply apologise again for troubling them and leave it at that.

[TopperGas]

If you are worried about your mistake, and you say you have already seen the intended recipient who was OK with your explanation and apology, in order to put your mind at rest why not simply return to the intended recipient and ask if they managed to get their item OK as you were very concerned? If they say yes and are still OK about the situation, simply apologise again for troubling them and leave it at that.

Alternatively just let sleeping dogs lie and just keep your head down, if the customer hasn't got her item then no doubt at some point she'll complain.