discussion My lacking of posts

[boatman]

Andy, there is no loyalty now, you do the work, the boss gets the glory.
I found that out from one boss, truck owner phoned me up out of the blue and asked me if I would be willing to take a truck load of charity aid down to Sofia, Bulgaria, ok said I after discussing the pay which on a weekly basis was to go to my wife.
So down to Reading where the truck was and introduced myself, got the keys, checked out the truck which for an owner/driver was in not too bad a condition. Then I had to sit all weekend waiting to get loaded on the Monday. And at that point I should have smelled a rat because when I phoned him I was asked to send him £100 back out of the running money (running money used to pay customs/backhanders etc). So got loaded and just outside Sofia the clutch went, managed to get through to him on the phone and a few days later another English driver arrived took the trailer and I followed as best I could. Got the clutch repaired and took the trailer into the customs compound where it would be unloaded by the charity people.
Phoned my wife and was informed that there was no pay, and that he was not going to pay me.... So back to the truck park and had a word with the other English driver and arranged with him to double man it back to the UK, via the customs posts where I had to leave a payment to be collected on the way back (normal practice).
In the customs office I said I would be leaving the trailer and got the signed and stamped paperwork from the charity people and customs. Back to the truck park and after removing my personal gear I asked the English guy if he wanted anything out of the truck as it was staying, he helped himself to tools etc, drained the fuel tank into his own, I then went across to three Turkish drivers who had the same trucks, handed them the keys and said two words "Strip it!" Jumped in the truck and set off back home, collected the bounties, split them 50/50.
Arrived home and first thing was to call the charity and explain I had the paperwork and they could pay me, which was agreed, then called the 'boss' and said I was back in the country and needed paying, the reply was "There is no loyalty now so suck it up". He asked where the truck was and my reply was that as there is no loyalty now the trailer is in the customs park and I have the reciept, and the truck will now be on its way in bits to Turkey and as I have the vehicle documents I will be informing DVLA that the truck was scrapped in Sofia.
So Andy, keep your chin up, with your skills, as with mine there will be work coming your way, and it is easy to say but do not get into a slump, I went there once and was hell to live with. Get on the bench and do some work - work out your frustrations in a constructive way, there is always a wall you can chuck the model up, and then spend the rest of the day on your knees picking up the bits and trying to work out where they fitted, and it is amazing how being on your knees, scrabbling around, nose to the carpet, searching the tufts of the carpet can be as low as you can get, after that it is only up.
Mike.

WOW MIKE i would have thought that truck owner would have said more so did he ? what a rotten blighter as ive had a run in with a idiot who hit my car not once but twice an caused damage to my car as he told his insurance company that i was movin when he hit me but i had just pulled on the hand brake an a chap said he'd be a wittness had pulled his car up accross that idiot to stop him drivin away but when we phoned him he did not want to know so i lost my wittness an that git what hit me got away with it as it ended up on me havin to claim from my insurance as his said it was knock for knock an went to see him an he just slamed the door in our face so yes there are some scum people out there but not on here thank gawrd

chrisb

 

[Andy the Sheep]

Andy I feel for you but I'm sure you'll find a new, more satisfying employment.
Skilled and experienced professionals are the most wanted and hard to find workers here in Italy and I think in UK it's not very different.
Cowardly management is more and more widespread but I'm pretty sure those cowards will soon meet an even more coward boss that will give them the same treatment.:angry:
As others already said, a hobby and family support can do wonders in those dark moments... and don't forget Cohan .
Sorry I cannot hugh you or take you to a pub from down here, but consider it done.

 

[Waspie]

Well worth a trip to the CAB Andy. I don't know if they still do it these days but!! When I had a problem several years back. Unfair dismissal. CAB at the time advised me to see an employment solicitor. At the time you could get a 30 minute chat with a solicitor for a few quid, (£5 for 30 minutes). Best fiver I spent. I was offered my job back after a quick phone call but told my employer to shove it - pride!!! Since then the law has changed otherwise I would have had my day in court. (Back then, you had to have worked for a company for 2 years to claim for unfair dismissal, that changed months after my 'sacking' to 6 months, which would have meant I had a claim.)
So get yourself down there bud, it'll be worth a couple of hours of your time.

 

[stillp]

I once did something similar to Mike's story of the truck. A company I'd worked for for 10+ years was sold to the firm I'd left 10 years earlier. The buyers had assumed that everybody would happily move to the new owners without asking any questions - they were very wrong. After about 6 months of negotiations, about half of us went to the new owners' factory. It became clear that they didn't intend to honour the promises made during negotiation, for example my job as product manager was downgraded to sales rep, and the company car that had been bought to replace my ageing Orion was allocated to a new starter. Worst of all was that there was no way they could manufacture the products to meet the customers' requirements. After a week I could see no future in staying, so typed up a letter of resignation, but the following week there were no senior managers in the office to accept my resignation - they'd all gone on holiday at the same time! the next week I managed to get a meeting with the sales and marketing directors, who eventually accepted my resignation letter, took my company entry pass, fuel card and car keys from me and called security to escort me from the premises to the bus stop (in the Welsh valleys, probably two buses a day). The sales director looked out of the window and asked "Where is your car? Someone's parked a red sports car in your space" I replied "That is my car. Did you mean where's your car? I left it in a pub car park in Cardiff. Sorry I don't recall which one, I was pissed when I left it."

Pete

 

[Guest]

WOW MIKE i would have thought that truck owner would have said more so did he ? what a rotten blighter as ive had a run in with a idiot who hit my car not once but twice an caused damage to my car as he told his insurance company that i was movin when he hit me but i had just pulled on the hand brake an a chap said he'd be a wittness had pulled his car up accross that idiot to stop him drivin away but when we phoned him he did not want to know so i lost my wittness an that git what hit me got away with it as it ended up on me havin to claim from my insurance as his said it was knock for knock an went to see him an he just slamed the door in our face so yes there are some scum people out there but not on here thank gawrd

chrisb

Oh! I got threatened with broken legs and being fed through a straw and did I like waking up with a crowd around me - bit different when I tapped him on his shoulder when waiting to get served in one of the motorway services - you could see the wet stain all down his leg, and the smell was wow!!!!
Waiting to come out of a junction and thought the car had moved off, gave him a tap on the rear bumper which fell off. Exchanged details with him and my boss reported the incedent to the police (just in case). About a week later got called into the office and on the desk was a 5 litre can of dark blue paint. Apparently the old boy had dropped it off in case I had scratched my paint... Later found out he was a farmer and had a barn full of old wrecks and when he felt like it he would get one running and then he and his wife would go out for a ride round..... I had to laugh.

 

[Guest]

Well worth a trip to the CAB Andy. I don't know if they still do it these days but!! When I had a problem several years back. Unfair dismissal. CAB at the time advised me to see an employment solicitor. At the time you could get a 30 minute chat with a solicitor for a few quid, (£5 for 30 minutes). Best fiver I spent. I was offered my job back after a quick phone call but told my employer to shove it - pride!!! Since then the law has changed otherwise I would have had my day in court. (Back then, you had to have worked for a company for 2 years to claim for unfair dismissal, that changed months after my 'sacking' to 6 months, which would have meant I had a claim.)
So get yourself down there bud, it'll be worth a couple of hours of your time.

CAB are very good, they have helped me out a few times since my retirement and have got us the money we are entitled to with my PTSD and her bad knees. And if they cannot help, then they will put you onto someone that can and more than likely arrange a meeting. When you first contact them it is a bit long winded with the usual questions of how you heard about them etc but once they get to the meat of the subject they do a great job.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Well chaps, what can I say?
The amount of support from you all is truly amazing,and,in this dark time,is appreciated more than you can imagine!
There are so many that I can't really respond to each message individually at the moment, but be assured that I thank you ALL so much.

 

[Guest]

Well chaps, what can I say?
The amount of support from you all is truly amazing,and,in this dark time,is appreciated more than you can imagine!
There are so many that I can't really respond to each message individually at the moment, but be assured that I thank you ALL so much.

Don't worry about it, that is what you get on this forum. Now get back on the bench or I will be sending Madam Pain the Matron round with her loofah for that cold bed bath.

 

[wotan]

Andy

Sorry to hear about your harsh treatment. Something is sure to turn up though. Is retirement on the cards or are you still one of those young blades?

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Andy

Sorry to hear about your harsh treatment. Something is sure to turn up though. Is retirement on the cards or are you still one of those young blades?

I hope so John,as for retirement, unfortunately not,well not for about 6 or 7 years anyway :sad-face:

 

[Graeme C.]

Sorry to hear of your troubles Andy, there is no loyalty from employers, legal advice looks like a good option.
Unfortunately a lot of companies routinely break employment law, a friend who works in HR told me that. She went to work for a firm with 8000 employees & over 300 industrial tribunals against them. In six months she had it down to 20 or so, constant run ins with bosses who wanted her to rubber stamp decisions which she refused as they were illegal, didn't surprise her when they sacked her. Last she heard the company was in serious trouble with employment law.

 

[Si Benson]

Really sorry to read you’ve been treated with such contempt Andy, some people have no integrity when it comes to treating staff.

Like many of us Ive had some utterly disgraceful treatment from companies I’ve worked for so really feel for you mate.
Hoping you can get some sort of resolution or something else comes along for you!

 

[Waspie]

Sorry to hear of your troubles Andy, there is no loyalty from employers, legal advice looks like a good option.
Unfortunately a lot of companies routinely break employment law, a friend who works in HR told me that. She went to work for a firm with 8000 employees & over 300 industrial tribunals against them. In six months she had it down to 20 or so, constant run ins with bosses who wanted her to rubber stamp decisions which she refused as they were illegal, didn't surprise her when they sacked her. Last she heard the company was in serious trouble with employment law.

When I did my management training after leaving the services, we attended a 'Industrial Tribunal' in London. (Although I do believe they go by a different name now). It was most educational. Of all the cases we observed over our two days only one case of unfair dismissal was lost against the company. That was only because the muppet decided her father would represent her better than a solicitor. Companies were fined thousands and every case bar one as I said was upheld.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Well Chaps,
It's been quite a stressful few weeks for myself and Rach,to say the least!!
HOWEVER, today I have some good news :thumb2:.......
I have a new job, starting next Monday!! :tongue-out2:
It's as an Electrical Fitter,at a Local Coach works firm,(so local in fact,that I can walk there from home in 10 minutes!!:smiling.
I'll be kitting out VW T6 and MERCEDES Sprinter vans for various, customer requested,roles from disabilities to commercial needs.
It is a very modern workshop,the people are very friendly and the pay's good .
All in all, I'm chuffed to bits!
Thank you all once again for your incredible support,it meant so much to us both :crying:,
So, ONWARDS AND UPWARDS,.... now then..... where's that Albatross I'm doing?!!

 

[Jim R]

I'm very pleased for you Andy. Things are on the up.

 

[Strenko J]

Andy congratulations on the new job!!! And so close to be able to walk there GREAT NEWS

 

[Tim Marlow]

Well Chaps,
It's been quite a stressful few weeks for myself and Rach,to say the least!!
HOWEVER, today I have some good news :thumb2:.......
I have a new job, starting next Monday!! :tongue-out2:
It's as an Electrical Fitter,at a Local Coach works firm,(so local in fact,that I can walk there from home in 10 minutes!!:smiling.
I'll be kitting out VW T6 and MERCEDES Sprinter vans for various, customer requested,roles from disabilities to commercial needs.
It is a very modern workshop,the people are very friendly and the pay's good .
All in all, I'm chuffed to bits!
Thank you all once again for your incredible support,it meant so much to us both :crying:,
So, ONWARDS AND UPWARDS,.... now then..... where's that Albatross I'm doing?!!

Bloody good news Andy. Sounds like a good win all round :thumb2: Glad it’s all worked out well.

 

[colin m]

Brilliant news. And no rush hour traffic - bonus.

 

[Mark1]

Nice one:thumb2: hope it works out for you mate.

 

[Allen Dewire]

Well Mr. Smiff, this is fantastic news!!! And close enough to walk to...Do you remember how to walk?

I would have commented when I saw your original post, but my thoughts about it to be written here, would have gotten me barred from the forum. I bet Rach is real happy too, Andy!!! Now you won't be under her feet the whole day. Cohan might be a little sad though.......

Prost and good luck
Allen