Signing for recorded/special deliveries yourself.

[DGP1]

My original post was about signing for people who are unable to sign ie blind or are unable to use their hands but it seems to have changed to signing for specials/recordeds themselves just to get rid of them.

[saru]

Suppose it isn't at the end of the day, We all like to get rid of as much mail as possible to save us having to return to the depot.

I usually sign their name.

If I didn't get rid of such things in such manner then I wouldn't get rid of much at all.

There's someone in our office going down the conduct code for doing that very same thing. DON'T sign for anything unless there is a letter in the office telling you that you have permission to sign on their behalf.

Even if they are blind or have a disability I wouldn't do it unless I was covered by the letter. Harsh, I know...... but that person in our office has been suspended with a strong possibility of being sacked!

[Up Hill Down Hill]

Suppose I better rethink the whole thing, When a customer asks for me to just post it through though I don't really see it as a problem, Its an agreement between the 2 of us.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Where do people stand on signing for recorded/special deliveries yourself whenever the recipient is blind or unable to sign because of some sort of disability.

Either in front or next to them

[Night Tonic]

Agree. Only the customer can sign and if you sign for an item yourself its leaving you wide open to disciplinary action. That said, the job also requires some common-sense too so where the customer has special needs, it is also a responsible action to help them where you can.

[Lounge Lizard]

Agree. Only the customer can sign and if you sign for an item yourself its leaving you wide open to disciplinary action. That said, the job also requires some common-sense too so where the customer has special needs, it is also a responsible action to help them where you can.

But I understood it was acceptable to sign for them yourself IF the Delivery Office held a proper letter signed by the recipient authorising you to do so.

[POSTMAN]

Agree. Only the customer can sign and if you sign for an item yourself its leaving you wide open to disciplinary action. That said, the job also requires some common-sense too so where the customer has special needs, it is also a responsible action to help them where you can.

But I understood it was acceptable to sign for them yourself IF the Delivery Office held a proper letter signed by the recipient authorising you to do so.

Yes that is true,a letter okaying it is ok.

[dvbuk55]

I would NEVER sign for an item.

If the person was in some way incapacitated I would endorse the card accordingly.

As for people saying it is OK and even sending a letter in - there was a case where that system had worked at a particular address for some time - UNTIL something was puported to go missing - although the customer hadn't a leg to stand on, there would still be that uncertainty.

[k979aaa]

Agree. Only the customer can sign and if you sign for an item yourself its leaving you wide open to disciplinary action. That said, the job also requires some common-sense too so where the customer has special needs, it is also a responsible action to help them where you can.

But I understood it was acceptable to sign for them yourself IF the Delivery Office held a proper letter signed by the recipient authorising you to do so.

Yes that is true,a letter okaying it is ok.

But who will write such a letter yet alone post it if they have special needs for it is about time royalmail got into the twenty first century and did this on line!.

[Carnoustie]

There's someone in our office going down the conduct code for doing that very same thing. DON'T sign for anything unless there is a letter in the office telling you that you have permission to sign on their behalf

Heard a rumour today about somebody with 20+ years service currently being 'done' under the conduct code for a similar thing and wondered if maybe we're talking about the same case? Don't much fancy their chances of getting off in the current climate

[k979aaa]

I would NEVER sign for an item.

If the person was in some way incapacitated I would endorse the card accordingly.

As for people saying it is OK and even sending a letter in - there was a case where that system had worked at a particular address for some time - UNTIL something was puported to go missing - although the customer hadn't a leg to stand on, there would still be that uncertainty.

For sure you are correct but they do not have to sign only mark an X but you try telling your manager that and i have this on good authority to be the case!. IT IS YOUR JOB DONT SIGN IT AWAY!.

[pinstripe]

Slightly off track here, but I had a recorded for a resident on my round, just before Christmas. He was a foreign chap and didn't speak very good English. Handed him the card and asked him to sign in box number 2.
"Number 2?"
"Yes, number 2"
Guess what he signed in box number 2. That's right, a big old 2. Unfortunately I didn't check what he had written

Back to the thread, I used to have an old blind guy on my round who signed for items by signing an "X" and I'd endorse it as "BLIND". That is what my first DOM told me to do and I doubt it would have changed for either our benefit or the customers. Stick to their rules and they'll have trouble catching you out.

[k979aaa]

Slightly off track here, but I had a recorded for a resident on my round, just before Christmas. He was a foreign chap and didn't speak very good English. Handed him the card and asked him to sign in box number 2.
"Number 2?"
"Yes, number 2"
Guess what he signed in box number 2. That's right, a big old 2. Unfortunately I didn't check what he had written

Back to the thread, I used to have an old blind guy on my round who signed for items by signing an "X" and I'd endorse it as "BLIND". That is what my first DOM told me to do and I doubt it would have changed for either our benefit or the customers. Stick to their rules and they'll have trouble catching you out.

MAY BE HE WAS THE SECOND COMEING 2.

[Up Hill Down Hill]

Spoke to my manager today and he's told me that if someone gives me permission tell them to send a letter to the depot to confirm this.

[LUV THE SMELL OF LETTERS]

If I have to sign for it I normally rip the orange sticker off so the customer dont even know its a signed for. Had no problems yet. Dont do this with the blue ones mind.