Mail stamps on temps
Page 6
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• Fears about over-hours temporary drivers (CM 24-30 August) have prompted many operators to contact us (see Dear Sir, page 28).
Mick Edwards, transport manager for Royal Mail Parcels in the West Midlands, says there is serious concern about the problem. "I can reveal," he says "an incident where an agency was employing one of my drivers who had been on 'sick leave'. How did they, or how could they have possibly known he was 'sick'? The simple fact is if the driver doesn't declare it, this can occur." In an attempt to ensure that all the temporary drivers he employs conform to the hours regulations, Edwards has introduced a system in which each driver signs a declaration saying he has not and will not exceed his or her working hours while working for the Royal Mail. Edwards also photocopies the HGV licence of the driver and insists that the driver signs a book of Post Office procedures.
"We believe we now have done all that any responsible operator can do," says Edwards.