P&L - Do you take the van home?

[anTi]

P&L will be introduced at some point this year at my place and there has been no definitive answer as to whether we can take the van home.

So, do you?

[mclovin]

The driver does. and collects and drops the other person off too.

[CharlesSpooner]

We don't - it was raised as a possibility at the planning stage due to a lack of parking space in the office but in the end it was just about manageable by banning staff from parking their cars in the car park.

Another concern was with rotating days off/sick leave etc. All in all it was a lot simpler not to.

[mclovin]

We barely have a car park, once the caretaker, his DimDom Support and the PHGoReadThePaper have parked their vehicles, it leaves space for about 6 vans, and no one else is allowed to park in there.

When the vans do come, there will be no room for em.

[scoobydo79]

We were told that We cant because when You finish Your duty time You are no longer insured.

[DGP1]

Why would you bother? Work is work and home is home, if RM can't even organise car parking for their own vans then I really worry about the future.

[Cedar_Room]

We don't,but there's a Postie who lives around the corner from me,who work's at a different office & he does.

[karchun]

Aww man if only i work full time and we could take the van home

[not me]

depends what day it is and if you face fits in our DO

[eastie]

you take the van home when it suits them , like if they want some docket done on your way home and its after our carpark is shut

[Lounge Lizard]

Why use your own car between home and work when a Royal Mail van will do it at the same speed and not at your expense ?

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

What happens if something happens to the van while parked on the road outside your home?
What happens when you get tempted to do some food shopping on the way home in the van, or divert off a direct route to home to visit a mate or family, when something happens to the van?

Sounds like a minefield to me.

[BettySwollocks]

Even if you are allowed to take the van home, i doubt RM insurance would cover you unless "commuting to and from work" is included in the policy,
when you ring your insurance company for a quote, one of the first questions they ask is how the vehicle is being used, socially, for work, or commuting to and from work,
if you are given permission to take vans home, ask for proof that you are insured for commuting to and from work,
if you get stopped by the law, it's you that will be prosecuted, not your gaffer.

[Cheetah]

What happens if something happens to the van while parked on the road outside your home?
What happens when you get tempted to do some food shopping on the way home in the van, or divert off a direct route to home to visit a mate or family, when something happens to the van?

Sounds like a minefield to me.

Well said, I've just had my drive block paved and there certainally will not be no red RM van sitting on it, messing about on your day off as well..... Not for me .....

[fishtank]

The Authorised Retention of Official Royal Mail Vehicles & Powered Equipment Agreement dated [insert date] is made between:

1. Royal Mail Group Limited, a company registered in England & Wales under number 04138203 whose registered office is at 3rd floor, 100 Victoria Embankment. LONDON, EC4Y 0HQ (“Royal Mail”); and

2. [insert name] of [insert home address] (“You”)

I the undersigned accept the conditions under which I am permitted to retain the above Royal Mail official vehicle or powered equipment. I have read and understand the guidance which accompanies this permission, and have been given a copy for personal reference:

1. I agree not to use the vehicle or powered equipment for any personal or private use whatsoever

2. I agree that I will perform a vehicle check at homes before first usage each day and that this will form part of my duties. I understand that this check should take approximately six minutes and that I will be credited with this time during my normal shift duties either by starting such duties six minutes late or where this is not possible by taking a break of six minutes at another appropriate time during my shift.

3. I agree that when I am travelling between the office and home I am not on duty

4. I understand that I may only pick up and take home a Royal Mail colleague when travelling to and from work with the Agreement of the Delivery Office Manager

5. I agree to make the vehicle available to Royal Mail, with no notice, when operational demands dictate.

6. I agree that I will inform my manager as soon as I am aware of a reason that the vehicle may not be available to Royal Mail

7. I agree to immediately notify Royal Mail if I am unable to use the vehicle or powered equipment for any reason (eg licence suspension / medical condition / loss or damage etc.)

8. I hereby give permission for Royal Mail managers to periodically test compliance to the conditions mentioned in the guidance. This may include checking the vehicle or piece of delivery equipment situated at the location/s outlined within the agreement.

9. I agree to follow normal operational “Pouching-off” procedures for any undelivered mail.

10. I agree to ensure that no mail is left in a vehicle or item of powered equipment, or retained on private premises, under any circumstances

11. I warrant that at all times I will be fit and able to use the vehicle or equipment. This means ensuring that I am ready for duty in a fit and alert condition and not under the influence of drink or drugs.

12. I understand how to use the vehicle or equipment safely (if you have not received the appropriate training or don’t know the relevant Safe System of Work (SSOW), ask your manager before you start).

13. I agree only to use the vehicle or equipment in accordance with the SSOW

14. I will ensure that the vehicle or equipment is safe to use and continually roadworthy by completing the appropriate checks; making a record in the Logbook each time checks are completed and reporting faults promptly in line with PMT1 fault reporting procedures

15. I agree to complete the Vehicle Condition & Mileage Logbook in line with training

16. I agree not to leave a vehicle or powered equipment in a position where it contravenes any parking restrictions, is an obstruction or inconvenience to others or is illegal

17. Should I breach clause 15 above such that I incur any parking fines, fines from a local authority, payment for release from clamping, tow costs or any other costs as a result of such breach or should the retained vehicles use by me otherwise incur any fines or fees I agree to bear these costs personally. If for any reason whatsoever Royal Mail bears these costs directly, I agree that such sums can be deducted from my salary or any other payment owed to me by Royal Mail during the course of my employment or on its termination.

17. I confirm, having already checked with any relevant authorities, that there are no local restrictions or conditions on the property where the vehicle or equipment is to be retained, that may affect participation in the overnight retention agreement

18. I agree that it is my responsibility to ensure that my home and contents / mortgage insurance are not affected by my retaining a vehicle or Royal Mail equipment at my home overnight

19. Should I wish to terminate this agreement I agree to give my line manager at least 28 days prior written notice.

20. I agree that Royal Mail may terminate this agreement subject to the following notice provisions. Ordinarily, Royal Mail will give 28 days prior written notice but Royal Mail reserves the right to terminate the agreement without notice.

21. I agree that I must immediately notify my line manager and Royal Mail if a situation arises which places my driving licence at risk

18. I agree that I am personally liable for the vehicle during the period that I am permitted to retain it and it is in my possession and I agree to adhere to the Security arrangements listed below

a. Wherever possible vehicles or powered equipment must not be parked in areas accessed by the public
b. Vehicles or powered equipment authorised under this agreement may only be retained at the approved location
c. Powered equipment should be garaged out of sight / secured to an immovable object as directed in this agreement
d. Powered equipment must be charged overnight and be ready for use the next operational day
e. Vehicles and powered equipment must be fully secured with alarms activated (where fitted) whenever retained overnight
f. No street furniture keys or equipment (eg pillar-box labels, fuel cards, tabs) may be left either in vehicles or powered equipment other than during operational use. I.e. they must not be left in vehicles or powered equipment when retained overnight. If the keys are needed for operational use the next day and the driver is due a rest day then, the driver must ensure that the DOM is aware so he can make arrangements to recover the keys
g. Uniform items and/or security passes/identity badges must not be left in vehicles or powered equipment when retained overnight.
h. Hand held devices / PDA’s must be returned to the office after the delivery finishes and not left in vehicles or powered equipment when retained overnight
i. Personal possessions are not insured by Royal Mail and must therefore be removed from sight and not left in the unattended vehicle

19. I warrant and confirm that all details provided in support of this agreement are accurate and true

21. I understand that any breach of the terms of this Agreement or any breach of the attached Policy and Guidance will result in disciplinary action being taken against me pursuant to the Conduct Code.