help for a friend please

[cowbag]

Re: help for a friend please

Hi All

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read and reply, he can't find his contract so I don't know what it says about mobile phones, although the union chap has told him they might be making an example of him? I totally agree with what everyone is saying about not using the phone, or even having it in your hand, I know another pretty despicable person who drives a bus that watches Sky Go whilst driving (a member of the public has complained to bus company and he has been dismissed as well).

The union has arranged his appeal meeting for next week, he is going to take copies of his calls log, explain he thought it was work trying to contact him, he is going to show that his last 6 years of employment have been good, and promise not to do it again.

Just wait and see I guess.

[charitynjw]

Re: help for a friend please

Hi All

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read and reply, he can't find his contract so I don't know what it says about mobile phones, although the union chap has told him they might be making an example of him? I totally agree with what everyone is saying about not using the phone, or even having it in your hand, I know another pretty despicable person who drives a bus that watches Sky Go whilst driving (a member of the public has complained to bus company and he has been dismissed as well).

The union has arranged his appeal meeting for next week, he is going to take copies of his calls log, explain he thought it was work trying to contact him, he is going to show that his last 6 years of employment have been good, and promise not to do it again.

Just wait and see I guess.

I would try & get evidence, even if it is 'hearsay', that it is (probably unofficial) policy or instruction that drivers are expected to use mobiles for work purposes.
Get this noted in the meeting.
If the company has put the driver in a position of 'being between a rock & a hard place', it will be much more difficult for them to discipline.
They need to re-examine their own instructions, & provide the correct equipment.

[wales01man]

Re: help for a friend please

The record of calls made and received would state who called or who was calling and times?He thought it was work calling ? strange defence

[charitynjw]

Re: help for a friend please

The record of calls made and received would state who called or who was calling and times?He thought it was work calling ? strange defence

In one place that I worked, instructions given to employees that put them in direct conflict with the Regulations which governed the job.
This because it was cheaper, & therefore more profitable; I guess it made the bottom line more attractive to shareholders.
When I pointed out to the guv'nors that it could end up in court, possibly (worst case) corporate manslaughter, they soon saw reason when it was their backsides on the line!

[cowbag]

Re: help for a friend please

Hi

Just thought I would advise update.

He went for his appeal meeting yesterday with union rep who fought his corner in the respect that he has had to use his mobile phone to contact base for the last six years and to dismiss him without new radio's would be unreasonable, the union rep also pointed out that if he didn't get his job reinstated the union were going to advise all members to leave phones in lockers and if there was then any issues with buses or the offices wanted to contact driver it would be much more difficult whilst waiting radio's to be fitted.

The union also pointed out that he has had an excellent employment record.

The company have agreed but due to the law have requested that he only takes the phone out of his pocket whilst the bus is completely at a stop.

It was all agreed, job reinstated, phone in pocket and radios are to be fitted to all buses - company are apparently doing that as fast as they can!!!

That's the end of that then.

[des8]

Re: help for a friend please

Brilliant outcome, thanks for letting us know

[ruthie59]

Re: help for a friend please

Going slightly off thread, I wonder what other LBs feel about smoking while driving?

[charitynjw]

Re: help for a friend please

Going slightly off thread, I wonder what other LBs feel about smoking while driving?

Some years ago, a friend of mine was pulled for running a comb through his hair!

He was told "Both hands on the wheel, unless changing gear" (& no, I don't mean undressing/dressing, before you ask!!)

Obviously he didn't argue!

[MissFM]

Re: help for a friend please

Brilliant result Cowbag! Well done you, your mate and the Union rep. - a victory for commonsense! x

[MissFM]

Re: help for a friend please

Going slightly off thread, I wonder what other LBs feel about smoking while driving?

Or having a mobile:hand: in one hand and his Yorkie in the other

[charitynjw]

Re: help for a friend please

Or having a mobile:hand: in one hand and his Yorkie in the other

I'm saying nothing! :tape2:

CleverClogs might though!

[labman]

Re: help for a friend please

Or having a mobile:hand: in one hand and his Yorkie in the other

I'm saying nothing! :tape2:

CleverClogs might though!

I think holding one's dog in your hand while driving and a mobile in the other is dangerous. No idea what you're on about Chaz! :beagle:

[FlamingParrot]

Re: help for a friend please

It was all agreed, job reinstated, phone in pocket and radios are to be fitted to all buses - company are apparently doing that as fast as they can!!!

That's the end of that then.

Brilliant news! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

It's not every day we get news like this on the employment threads, so this really is cause for celebration :high5:

Going slightly off thread, I wonder what other LBs feel about smoking while driving?

It depends on what you smoke... :smokin::hat:

[labman]

Re: help for a friend please

[Inca]

Re: help for a friend please

Why would smoking whilst driving be an issue? People eat whilst driving,drink (not alcohol one would hope)while driving......were the law to go really potty it would be made that at no point should one hand leave the steering wheel whilst the vehicle is in motion.
Everyone picks on the smoker