Gross Misconduct

[garu]

Had an accident in the RM van, it rolled into a car and I can't remember if I put the handbrake on or not.

Have been dismissed for gross misconduct.

I think this is harsh as I've had 30 years without an accident in a RM van which seems to have been ignored.

Ideas on what I can do please?

[spen]

Put in an appeal ASAP,, get area rep involved,, guy at our place did it, entire office threatened to walk out got his job back 3 months later at appeal

[redlen]

The Gross Misconduct is for a serious breach in health and safety. This on its own opens up Royal Mail with third party liability claims.

You were lucky the van rolled away and hit another vehicle rather than a child or pedestrian through Gross Negligence that resulted in a substantial loss with damage to a third party vehicle.

Even though the dismissal does appear justified with bringing the employer into disrepute, with a thirty year clean slate does seem excessive though as this was not an intentional act on your part. Would expect a two year suspended dismissal to be appropriate.

As previously stated, you need to submit the appeal against dismissal immediately

[POSTMAN]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=102622&p=957660
See the above thread, also have you guys had WTLL on HIT at your place?

[Deadly]

We’ve been having the briefs about HIT almost on a weekly basis. Managers are even checking vans in the yard.

[iHateD2Ds]

You are certainly not the first person to have left the handbrake off (allegedly).
I would say it's harsh to fire you if this is your only mess up?
You would of thought 30 years would retain some kind of value and goes to show what this company has become.
Hope all goes well and get your job back.

[twoloops]

We’ve been having the briefs about HIT almost on a weekly basis. Managers are even checking vans in the yard.

What’s this HIT all about?

[fb1969]

Handbrake on
In gear
Turn wheels to kerb

Or

Stop
Handbrake on
In gear
Turn wheels to kerb

And you shouldn't turn the wheels with the vehicle stationary unless you want to bugger the steering and tyres, but this is RM!

[postieblueshirt]

Had this before on a rural there generally is no kerb.ive had a van click off the handbrake before I mean handbrake was on I heard a click and its rolled into a hedge so it wasn't seated in the handbrake ratchet properly.you could say that may have happened but as it wasn't in gear that's the only part you can't argue against.

[k979aaa]

Had this before on a rural there generally is no kerb.ive had a van click off the handbrake before I mean handbrake was on I heard a click and its rolled into a hedge so it wasn't seated in the handbrake ratchet properly.you could say that may have happened but as it wasn't in gear that's the only part you can't argue against.

Being in gear will not stop it rolling just slows it down depending on the gear selected and the size of the hill!

[clashcityrocker]

Don't Royal Mail show a video in WTLL which a woman suffered serious injuries as a result of a van rolling back on her because she hadn't properly used the handbrake?
Did she lose her job?
If not they have surely set a precedent?

[k979aaa]

Don't Royal Mail show a video in WTLL which a woman suffered serious injuries as a result of a van rolling back on her because she hadn't properly used the handbrake?
Did she lose her job?
If not they have surely set a precedent?

The thing is we all know RM vehicles are not serviced as well as they should be and used a lot more than most vehicles hand brakes fail snap or the pads or drums are worn we are not mechanics. But it is a two way street the faults should be addressed and rectified and managers should respect that process!

[koolishy67]

That's why I am happy with my walker duty we get same pay like driver but drivers got this kind of excess baggage cost them job loss

[smartin1982]

Had this before on a rural there generally is no kerb.ive had a van click off the handbrake before I mean handbrake was on I heard a click and its rolled into a hedge so it wasn't seated in the handbrake ratchet properly.you could say that may have happened but as it wasn't in gear that's the only part you can't argue against.

Being in gear will not stop it rolling just slows it down depending on the gear selected and the size of the hill!

Erm,, reverse?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

1st gear if facing uphill and reverse if facing downhill.
With the wheel turned into the kerb (or out when appropriate).

Both on their own won't guarantee against a roll away, but it will make it harder to happen. The inertia of the car rolling has to overcome the resistance of the engine and it is harder if you leave the vehicle in reverse or 1st gear, something to do with compression IIRC.