Seatbelt sacking

[Nwood23366]

Has anyone ever heard if someone has lost there job due to not wearing a seatbelt?

[noggin1969]

Yes

[Nwood23366]

When? And for that reason solely?

[rehabron]

Has anyone ever heard if someone has lost there job due to not wearing a seatbelt?

It would depend on various factors.
Not wearing a seatbelt would be interpreted as gross misconduct for disobeying employers instructions that seatbelts must be worn.
There are exceptions if there is for reason of a medical condition and covered by a GP letter then it can be excused for wearing and if you are making a manoeuvre with the vehicle for eg. reversing then you do not require to wear a seatbelt.
you have not stated if the person was noticed by police or RM management and where it was noticed public highway or in the RM yard which could have a bearing on the punishment.
If the same person has previous active disciplinary on their record then this would also have a bearing on the punishment but if this was an first time offence then at most would expect a serious warning with 2 years on record.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Driving without a seatbelt is against Royal Mail Policy, its specifically stated as such in the Drivers Manual. Its also against the law. So while the range of punishment for a first offence can be as minor as a slap on the wrist, dismissal for Gross Misconduct in my estimation is within the range of reasonable actions that an ET would take into consideration.

Of course, if they have had previous unofficial or official warnings, or it the Police have prosecuted the driver for the offence when they were in an RM vehicle, or if the managers informed the drivers of the possible consequences of not wearing a seatbelt when at work, then the likelihood of dismissal is greater.

[clashcityrocker]

Why do people insist on giving RM enough rope?

[Senior Service]

I bet if you were an older full timer like me they would jump at the chance to sack you, if you were a young early starting flyer you would probably be told don't get caught again.

[Nwood23366]

Caught by RM management that were parked on double yellow lines.
No previous sanctions on record, but was left suspended after fact finding. This normally the case?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Caught by RM management that were parked on double yellow lines.
No previous sanctions on record, but was left suspended after fact finding. This normally the case?

If they were suspended then yes its normal for the suspension to continue until a decision is reached. Sometimes, people are returned to work immediately after a fact finding, but its unusual.

Just as a Pointer, even though what the managers were doing was illegal, it has no bearing on the case, nor will it be considered relevant in any appeal. The fact that a driver was/wasn't wearing a seatbelt and the reasons why are the only relevant facts.

[BarnsleyLackey]

You can drive 50m without it as a delivery/collection driver, according to a quick Google. Tell 'em you only did 45.

[clashcityrocker]

You can drive 50m without it as a delivery/collection driver, according to a quick Google. Tell 'em you only did 45.

Not as a RM you can't.

[BarnsleyLackey]

You can drive 50m without it as a delivery/collection driver, according to a quick Google. Tell 'em you only did 45.

Not as a RM you can't.

Is it in the rule book? I can't remember being told this "law"

[Himaggen]

Is it in the rule book? I can't remember being told this "law"

Let me check that for you…

Seat belts and doors
It is law and business policy that seat belts must be worn at all times while driving, which applies to all occupants of the vehicle.
Wearing seat belts saves lives and reduces the risk of serious personal injury in the event of an accident.
Never drive a vehicle with an open door.

Reversing
While reversing ensure the vehicle moves slowly. Reversing slowly ensures that steering movements have the greatest effect.
You may remove your seat belt while reversing, but keep your door shut.

Nope!

[BarnsleyLackey]

Is it in the rule book? I can't remember being told this "law"

Let me check that for you…

Seat belts and doors
It is law and business policy that seat belts must be worn at all times while driving, which applies to all occupants of the vehicle.
Wearing seat belts saves lives and reduces the risk of serious personal injury in the event of an accident.
Never drive a vehicle with an open door.

Reversing
While reversing ensure the vehicle moves slowly. Reversing slowly ensures that steering movements have the greatest effect.
You may remove your seat belt while reversing, but keep your door shut.

Nope!

There it is. It does sort of go against the law for non RM drivers. I'd say it's more a RM rule. I'm sure that if the OP came at it from following general drivers law, he might've had a chance. But then again, the RM culture we live in now is - Get shut, cut hours out the office.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The problem is if RM dismisses you for not wearing a seatbelt, they are not doing so because you broke any laws, or in this case didn't. But they are dismissing you for a breach of contract, or failure to follow H&S instruction.