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    • My defence was standard no paperwork:   1.The Defendant contends that the particulars of claim are generic in nature. The Defendant accordingly sets out its case below and relies on CPR r 16.5 (3) in relation to any particular allegation to which a specific response has not been made. 2. Paragraph 1 is noted. The Defendant has had a contractual relationship with MBNA Limited in the past. The Defendant does not recognise the reference number provided by the claimant within its particulars and has sought verification from the claimant who is yet to comply with requests for further information. 3. Paragraph 2 is denied. The Defendant maintains that a default notice was never received. The Claimant is put to strict proof to that a default notice was issued by MBNA Limited and received by the Defendant. 4. Paragraph 3 is denied. The Defendant is unaware of any legal assignment or Notice of Assignment allegedly served from either the Claimant or MBNA Limited. 5. On the 02/01/2023 the Defendant requested information pertaining to this claim by way of a CCA 1974 Section 78 request. The claimant is yet to respond to this request. On the 19/05/2023 a CPR 31.14 request was sent to Kearns who is yet to respond. To date, 02/06/2023, no documentation has been received. The claimant remains in default of my section 78 request. 6. It is therefore denied with regards to the Defendant owing any monies to the Claimant, the Claimant has failed to provide any evidence of proof of assignment being sent/ agreement/ balance/ breach or termination requested by CPR 31.14, therefore the Claimant is put to strict proof to: (a) show how the Defendant entered into an agreement; and (b) show and evidence the nature of breach and service of a default notice pursuant to Section 87(1) CCA1974 (c) show how the claimant has reached the amount claimed for; and (d) show how the Claimant has the legal right, either under statute or equity to issue a claim; 7. As per Civil Procedure Rule 16.5(4), it is expected that the Claimant prove the allegation that the money is owed. 8. On the alternative, as the Claimant is an assignee of a debt, it is denied that the Claimant has the right to lay a claim due to contraventions of Section 136 of the Law of Property Act and Section 82A of the consumer credit Act 1974. 9. By reasons of the facts and matters set out above, it is denied that the Claimant is entitled to the relief claimed or any relief.
    • Monika the first four pages of the Private parking section have at least 12 of our members who have also been caught out on this scam site. That's around one quarter of all our current complaints. Usually we might expect two current complaints for the same park within 4 pages.  So you are in good company and have done well in appealing to McDonalds in an effort to resolve the matter without having  paid such a bunch of rogues. Most people blindly pay up. Met . Starbucks and McDonalds  are well aware of the situation and seem unwilling to make it easier for motorists to avoid getting caught. For instance, instead of photographing you, if they were honest and wanted you  to continue using their services again, they would have said "Excuse me but if you are going to go to Mc donalds from here, it will cost you £100." But no they kett quiet and are now pursuing you for probably a lot more than £100 now. They also know thst  they cannot charge anything over the amount stated on the car park signs. Their claims for £160 or £170 are unlawful yet so many pay that to avoid going to Court. When the truth is that Met are unlikely to take them to Court since they know they will lose. The PCNs are issued on airport land which is covered by Byelaws so only the driver can be pursued, not the keeper. But they keep writing to you as they do not know who was driving unless you gave it away when you appealed. Even if they know you were driving they should still lose in Court for several reasons. The reason we ask you to fill out our questionnaire is to help you if MET do decide to take you to Court in the end. Each member who visited the park may well have different experiences while there which can help when filling out a Witness statement [we will help you with that if it comes to it.] if you have thrown away the original PCN  and other paperwork you obviously haven't got a jerbil or a guinea pig as their paper makes great litter boxes for them.🙂 You can send an SAR to them to get all the information Met have on you to date. Though if you have been to several sites already, you may have done that by now. In the meantime, you will be being bombarded by illiterate debt collectors and sixth rate solicitors all threatening you with ever increasing amounts as well as being hung drawn and quartered. Their letters can all be safely ignored. On the odd chance that you may get a Letter of Claim from them just come back to us and we will get you to send a snotty letter back to them so that they know you are not happy, don't care a fig for their threats and will see them off in Court if they finally have the guts to carry on. If you do have the original PCN could you please post it up, carefully removing your name. address and car registration number but including dates and times. If not just click on the SAR to take you to the form to send to Met.
    • In order for us to help you we require the following information:- [if there are more than one defendant listed - tell us] 1 defendant   Which Court have you received the claim from ? County Court Business Centre, Northampton   Name of the Claimant ? LC Asset 2 S.A R.L   Date of issue – . 28/04/23   Particulars of Claim   What is the claim for –    (1) The Claimant ('C') claims the whole of the outstanding balance due and payable under an agreement referenced xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and opened effective from xx/xx/2017. The agreement is regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 ('CCA'), was signed by the Defendant ('D') and from which credit was extended to D.   (2) D failed to comply with a Default Notice served pursuant to s87 (1) CCA and by xx/xx/2022 a default was recorded.   (3) As at xx/xx/2022 the Defendant owed MBNA LTD the sum of 12,xxx.xx. By an agreement in writing the benefit of the debt has been legally assigned to C effective xx/xx/2022 and made regular upon C serving a Notice of Assignment upon D shortly thereafter.   (4) And C claims- 1. 12,xxx.xx 2. Interest pursuant to Section 69 County Courts Act 1984 at a rate of 8% per annum from xx/01/2023 to xx/04/2023 of 2xx.xx and thereafter at a daily rate of 2.52 to date of judgement or sooner payment. Date xx/xx/2023   What is the total value of the claim? 12k   Have you received prior notice of a claim being issued pursuant to paragraph 3 of the PAPDC (Pre Action Protocol) ? Yes   Have you changed your address since the time at which the debt referred to in the claim was allegedly incurred? No   Did you inform the claimant of your change of address? N/A Is the claim for - a Bank Account (Overdraft) or credit card or loan or catalogue or mobile phone account? Credit Card   When did you enter into the original agreement before or after April 2007 ? After   Do you recall how you entered into the agreement...On line /In branch/By post ? Online   Is the debt showing on your credit reference files (Experian/Equifax /Etc...) ? Yes, but amount differs slightly   Has the claim been issued by the original creditor or was the account assigned and it is the Debt purchaser who has issued the claim. DP issued claim   Were you aware the account had been assigned – did you receive a Notice of Assignment? Not that I recall...   Did you receive a Default Notice from the original creditor? Not that I recall...   Have you been receiving statutory notices headed “Notice of Sums in Arrears”  or " Notice of Arrears "– at least once a year ? Yes   Why did you cease payments? Loss of employment main cause   What was the date of your last payment? Early 2021   Was there a dispute with the original creditor that remains unresolved? No   Did you communicate any financial problems to the original creditor and make any attempt to enter into a debt management plan? No   -----------------------------------
    • Hello CAG Team, I'm adding the contents of the claim to this thread, but wanted to open the thread with an urgent question: Do I have to supply a WS for a claim with a court date that states " at the hearing the court will consider allocation and, time permitting, give an early neutral evaluation of the case" ? letter is an N24 General Form of Judgement or Order, if so, then I've messed up again. Court date 25 May 2024 The letter from court does not state (like the other claims I have) that I must provide WS within 28 days.. BUT I have recently received a WS from Link for it! making me think I do need to!??
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Hi.

 

Quick points about my work...

 

I'm a service engineer. Based in the South West (Bristol Area.) I'm part of a larger team, with engineers in most areas of the UK.

 

Last year, I was injured at work. (Dislocated cervical vertebrae).

 

After treatment, I returned to work (June 2017). My GP stipulated that I should not drive more than 200 miles per day. This seemed fair and reasonable. I'm near Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, etc., and all these fall well within the radius of the agreement.

 

In a formal meeting with the head of HR, my work agreed this, so I returned to work.

 

However, mysteriously, my calls started being extended to well over 300 miles per day. Having gone back my diary, roughly 60% of my calls are now over 200 miles - much nearer 300 in fact.

 

The type of work I am being used for has now changed. I am being used "instead" of engineers in Southampton, Plymouth, Reading, etc.

 

When I've complained to both my line managers and HR, they've said that they are abiding by the 200 miles ruling, despite my evidence to the contrary.

 

I've raised a formal grievance. And, to be frank, their excuses and responses are downright lies.

 

They claim that I am being sent to places like Portsmouth, despite other engineers being closer, because they are more qualified. This is a outright lie, as I am by and far the most experienced and formally qualified engineer they have.

 

When I say that the tasks assigned to me are outwith my job description, again they blatantly lie.

 

After the meeting, they demanded that I attend their company doctor for "evaluation."

 

This I've just done, and he broadly agrees with me / my doctor. That:

 

My neck injury means my driving should be curtailed. He is a little unsure where the "200 miles" per day came from, but he agrees my neck is damaged (I can't remember what he called it) and has said my employer should be held liable for treatment and physiotherapy over it.

 

That, having discussed my job description with both my employer and myself, that the tasks assigned to me fall outwith those roles, and that I should NOT be doing them.

 

It would appear that my employer is ignoring these recommendations as I've just received next week's rota, and I'm tasked long distances and these same tasks again.

 

What are my options?

 

Is this harassment? Industrial injury? etc???

 

Many thanks.

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are you in the union?

 

have you put in an insurance claim for your injury?

 

has the doctor given an opinion on whether your condition is likely to be a disability under the equality act? That's what triggers reasonable adjustments, nothing else

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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Hi.

 

Yes, I'm in the union. I've emailed them, etc., but you know what email is like, so I thought I'd post here.

 

The prognosis is permanent in the sense if I continue to drive 300+a day, my neck will become a permanent disability.

 

Cheers

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The magic words you need fmo a doctor are "highly likely to be covered by the equality act." "likely to become a disability" won't do it. It has to be a disability right now.

 

Until you get that, they can ask what they like

 

As soon as you do you can start insititing on "reasonable adjustments"

 

Right now it sounds like you have few legal rights

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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I understand the likelihood on the grounds of "disability" is low, but to be honest, I am not really looking for that.

 

What I am more concerned about is that they've changed my terms and conditions, by making me drive far more than I used to, (Particularly after agreeing to the limit.) and have changed the "what" I do when I get there.

 

To be frank, it won't be long until I'm paralyzed down one side again, most likely 150 miles from home.

 

Thanks again.

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are they paying your travel time?

 

what does your contract say about travel? please quote the exact wording.

 

honestly I'd be switching job; if the injury risk is as drmatic as you say it's just not worth it. The price of a moral stance shouldn't be permanant injury. No one will look out for you, but you.

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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You Say that your gp stated SHOULD NOT drive in excess of 200 miles.

It should of said MUST NOT.

Yu agreed to go back but this temp arrangement is just that. Temp.

 

You need to be careful that they dont call you in and start proceedings under capability issues and get rid of you.

Sometimes its bettr to Sta off sick

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This'll bore you - The exact wording of my job description is:

 

 

- Customer Face to Face deskside support

- Remote deskside support

- Ticket Management

- Laptop\desktop builds

- Customer training\education

- Documentation

- Good Analytic/Troubleshooting Skills

- Hardware support

You already...

 

- Strong working knowledge of MS Windows Operating Systems and Apple Mac

- Corporate windows environment (Min 3 years)

- MS Office\Outlook\Exchange experience

- Active Directory exposure

- Good understanding of printers\MFP devices

- Networking fundamentals

- Good Communication Skills Verbal and Written

- Good at working under pressure

What we offer:

-A secure job in an exponentially growing international company.

-Exciting projects in your own responsibility with diverse challenges.

-Wonderful team spirit and a great working atmosphere in a friendly team.

-Direct and open communication.

-Very good opportunities for professional and personal further development thanks to our Human Resources development programme.

-Room for your own ideas and suggestions for improvement as well as their quick implementation due to brief decisions making processes.

-Many more advantages to make your working hours and breaks more enjoyable.

 

______________________________

 

There is no specific mention of travel. It is worked as part of your day, You might go to site A, then, B, then C, etc.

 

I'd love to leave, but I've already had to refuse a job, because I felt an employer would simply be taking on a lame duck until I get fixed up.

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Hi. Thanks fr the reply.

 

The doctor simply stated "No more than 200 miles per day." Work agreed. This was six months ago, and they broke it almost immediately. It's taken this amount of time to get grievances heard, etc.

 

The company doctor (Friday) said that there is not a capability issue in relation to my job description, but that they should not be asking me to do these "extra" mileages and duties which are not implicitly listed in my role.

 

For instance, I am expected to drive past two or three other engineers to attend low value, crappy calls - outwith my job description. I see this as a deliberate action.

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I did not ask for your job description, rather the exact wording about travel in your contract. Please find that and repost.

 

You also say you have raised a greivance and that you are unhappy with the response. What is the written outcome of the greivance please, again exact wording.

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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Hi.

 

I have never had a contract. I was a contractor from Mar-Aug 2015, and then made permanent from then on. I got that job description to sign, and told I was to work 40 hours per week. No things like 9-5, etc., or travel rules. A hire car was delivered to allow me to do the job, and this became a full on company car in Oct 2016.

 

They have not let me know the outcome of the grievance procedure yet.

 

Thanks.

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Check the company handbook for guidance, or intranet. You're looking for their travel policy. And ask for a contract, you are legally entitled to one.

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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Hi. Thanks for the reply.

 

I think the term "Legally entitled to..." is a term they are not familiar with.

 

I've asked, along with clarification on other matters, and it just gets ignored. (I also forgot to tell you they refused an Occupational Health Assessment when I returned to work.)

 

At present, the position is I have an appointment with my own Doctor, and I'm awaiting for the outcome of the grievance procedure. I'll engage my Union when this has been done and update here.

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Hi. Here is the "contract of Employment" they say I signed. I would point out that they can't actually supply the one I allegedly signed, but this is what they claim. I've also edited out specific points for confidentiality purposes.

 

CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

 

This document forms your contract of employment in accordance with current legislation with XXXXX

 

Name of Employee: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

Date of commencement: 29th July 2015

 

Continuous Service date: As Above

 

Normal place of work: Home based

 

Position title: Mobile Engineer

 

The company reserves the right, upon reasonable notice, to require you to undertake any duties which fall within your capabilities or to transfer you temporarily or permanently to reasonable alternative places of work within the UK. You will not be required to work outside of the UK for a period of more than 1 month.

 

1. Salary

 

XXXXX

 

 

2. Hours of Work

 

Your normal working hours will be as required for the proper performance of your duties of employment but will not normally be less than 40 per week. In accordance with the Working Time Regulations, should you wish to work more than 48 hours per week, please refer to the enclosed document and opt out form.

 

You may be required to work overtime and shift work as and when required for business and contract needs. If your role attracts enhanced payments for telephone standby or permanent standby this will be outlined to you by your manager.

 

3. References

 

This offer is subject to receipt of employment and medical references which we deem to be satisfactory. You must provide references which cover the last 3 years of employment.

 

 

4. Background and security checks

 

The Employee agrees to provide the Employer with an official document issued by the police or a governmental agency (e.g. criminal record / certificate of good conduct) in order to testify any criminal records as part of a background check. This certificate or at least the confirmation of the request should be presented to the Employer at the latest on the first working day.

 

The Employee agrees to undergo further background checks (e.g. advanced security vetting), if these are or will be required for this role.

 

5. Probation Period

 

Your employment in this position is subject to satisfactory completion of a six month probation period. During this probationary period your employment may be terminated in accordance with notice period outlined at Section 9.

 

6. Deduction from Wages

 

In accordance with the Employment Rights Act 1996, we may deduct money that you owe to the Company from your wages in certain circumstances such as:

 

a. You leave your job without giving the required notice

b. You leave your job and fail to return any of the Company’s equipment or have taken more annual leave entitlement than that which is entitled to you

c. If we overpay you, you will be required to pay back the amount you were not entitled to.

 

We will inform you in writing prior to any deductions being made

 

7. Annual Leave Entitlement

 

The annual leave year begins on 1st January and ends on 31st December. You are entitled to 28 days holiday for a complete leave year, pro rata. This figure includes your entitlement for the 8 recognised Public/Bank Holidays. Public/Bank holidays in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will vary. Entitlements will be reduced pro rata to each calendar week of service in the year of joining and leaving the company.

 

You may be required to work on a Public/Bank holiday, in which case the company will not deduct any holiday days from your holiday balance. If the company does not require you to work on a public holiday, you will be rostered for a holiday and that day will be deducted from your annual leave entitlement.

 

8. Sickness and Injury

 

You should familiarise yourself with the Attendance Management Procedure operated by the Company, which is non contractual.

 

If you are absent due to sickness or injury, you must notify your immediate manager at least 1 hour before your start time or in any case before 09:00am on the first day of absence. Should your absence continue, it is necessary for you to keep in daily contact with your immediate manager before 09:00am each day.

 

Subject to the aforementioned procedure being followed, Company sick pay will be made in accordance with the following scale to be calculated according to your length of service with the Company:

 

0-6 months 1 week

7 months to 2 years 2 weeks

2 years + to 5 years 5 weeks

5 years + 8 weeks

 

This Company sick pay is inclusive of statutory sick pay ("SSP").

SSP is available for up to 28 weeks of absence through sickness in any one period. If you are receiving Company sick pay, this will include any entitlement to SSP. Once your entitlement to Company sick pay has been exhausted you will continue to be entitled to statutory sick pay for up to 28 weeks of sickness absence.

The Company reserves the right to require you to attend an Independent Occupational Health Adviser and your agreement is a condition of your employment.

 

Abuse of the Attendance Management Procedure will be treated as a disciplinary offence.

 

9. Retirement

 

No default retirement age applies. Where you would like to commence retirement the appropriate notice of termination as detailed in section 9 should be given.

 

10. Notice of Termination

 

During the probationary period your entitlement to notice from the Company and the notice you will be required to give the Company, should you wish to leave, will be one week during the first four weeks of employment, then 2 weeks up to the end of your probationary period. Thereafter, your entitlement to notice from the Company is 4 weeks and the notice you are required to give the Company is 4 weeks up to 5 years service. After 5 years service you will be entitled to an additional weeks notice for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 12 weeks for 12 or more years service and you will be required to give the Company the same notice period.

 

The Company or Employee may waive their right to all or part of the notice period on any occasion by mutual agreement. In the event of any gross misconduct on the part of the employee or serious breach of the terms of this agreement, the Company may terminate employment without prior notice or payment in lieu thereof without prejudice to any other remedy which the Company may have in respect of any such misconduct.

 

11. Company vehicle

 

As agreed you will receive a company vehicle only after submitting all requested documents, you will also receive a fuel card for business mileage only.

 

12. Driving Licence

 

Whilst employed in this position, you are required to hold a full UK Driving Licence. Where loss of your Driving Licence renders you incapable of carrying out your duties as required, you will be redeployed where feasible or your contract of employment will be terminated under the Disciplinary Procedure.

 

13. Pension Scheme

 

You may be eligible to join the auto enrolment Pension Scheme. Human Resources will send you more information. Membership of the XXXXXXXXX auto enrolment Pension Scheme is strictly subject to the rules of the scheme as amended from time to time. The Company reserves the right to vary or discontinue any scheme in place from time to time.

 

There is a contracting-out certificate in force under the Pension Schemes Act 1993 as amended.

 

14. Special Conditions

 

There is a requirement for all individuals to provide their new employer with documentation that demonstrates they are eligible to work in the United Kingdom. If you have not already provided original document(s), please bring with you original document(s) on your first day of employment. Please find details of acceptable documentation on the attached sheet. Failure to provide us with the relevant documentation may result in your contact of employment being nullified.

 

15. Change of Personal Details

If there is a change in any of your personal details including name, marital status, address and bank details, you must inform the Human Resources team in writing.

 

 

16. Confidential Information

You must not disclose to any person outside of the Company any information relating to the Company’s business affairs or trade secrets that are of a private or confidential nature. This restriction applies after the termination of employment without time limit but will cease to apply to information that may come legitimately into the public domain. Further information on this clause is contained within the Company Confidentiality, Invention and Restricted Covenants Policy.

 

17. Conflict of Interest

 

Restriction on other activities

You must obtain the written consent of the Company before engaging in any activity of occupation concerned with any trade or business other than the business of the Company.

 

Employing relatives

Close relatives should not be employed in any situation where one would be responsible for managing, auditing or authorising the work of the other. This also applies to personal relationships that may develop in the work place: here the Company reserves the right to transfer one or both of the employees to suitable alternative places of work.

 

Acceptance of gifts

You should avoid acceptance of any gift of greater than £10 e.g. a diary, simple calendar, or of any entertainment or favours which go beyond common courtesies of any sort in connection with work for the Company. If an employee is approached with a gift of greater than £10, they must escalate this to their manager before acceptance.

 

18. Use of Company Property

 

You must not use Company property including Company mobile phones, landlines and internet for personal use unless express permission has been obtained from your manager in writing.

 

19. Company Policies and Procedures

 

The Company has a full range of employment policies and procedures, which are non contractual relating to a spectrum of employment related matters including a Maternity Policy, Attendance Management Policy, Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure. You must comply at all times with Company policies and Procedures as amended from time to time.

 

Failure to comply with the Company’s rules, policies and procedures can lead to disciplinary action.

 

20. Third Party Rights

 

A person who is not party to this agreement shall have no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this agreement. This clause does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available otherwise than pursuant to that Act.

 

21. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales

Each party irrevocably agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales over any claim or matter arising under or in connection with this agreement.

 

22. General Regulations

In accordance with the Employment Rights Act 1996, we are required to inform you of the following:

 

a. No collective agreements have been entered into with any trade union which affect the terms and conditions of your employment

Edited by DragonFly1967
edited (removed pension provider)
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So, the relevant clause is this

 

"Position title: Mobile Engineer

 

The company reserves the right, upon reasonable notice, to require you to undertake any duties which fall within your capabilities or to transfer you temporarily or permanently to reasonable alternative places of work within the UK. You will not be required to work outside of the UK for a period of more than 1 month."

 

And the unhelpful wording is "reasonable", which can only really be determined by a court. And as long as your travel is broadly included in your working hours, it'll likely be deemed ok.

 

So I think your only real route is adjustments, if you are likely to be covered by the Equality Act.

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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Hi. Once again, thanks for the reply.

 

You mention "adjustments" and that is quite interesting. In June(ish) last year, they accepted "adjustments" based on my neck injury. This was based on negotiations between my GP and the Company. He wanted much less than 200, they wanted much more. Eventually they settled on 200 miles per day. They agreed (In email correspondence, after a grievance meeting) to limit my driving to 200 miles per day. I have repeated emails from them that they've complied with this, but, clearly, they haven't.

 

They have repeatedly broken this agreement / adjustment. I've just done a mileage spreadsheet, and it shows that almost 40% of the time, I am tasked well beyond 200 miles per day. As an example, this month, I've worked 14 days, and I've done 7 days over 200 miles. That's 50% of my time with this agreement being broken.

 

This is part of the email sent to me on 5th of July by the Head of HR. (Hope the red works, lol.)

 

"You said that we can support you by limiting the driving distance, specifically no London or South Coast. We did agree that this is possible. Please do not think that it was a “lack of common sense” on our part. At times we have emergencies or lack of a free local engineer and this has been the reason for assigning long-distance tickets to you. However, we now understand the impact this has on you and will not be assigning such tickets to you."

 

I don't know if I'm being pedantic, but that - to me - seems an adjustment being agreed by them.

 

Additionally, none of these tasks fall within my job description, or my previous skill set. The way I described it to their doctor was "While you're a Doctor, and a GP, that is fine. But would you be comfortable doing a retinal transplant?" That is, in technical terms, what they are doing to me.

 

I've got some comms going with my Union now, and we're arranging face to face meetings. But if you feel there's anything to be said, feel free, you are certainly one smart cookie.

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I would focus on what is important and that is your health. I understand the kind of work is annoying, but it’ll be covered under another reasonableness clause, and dislike is not a good legal test of that.

 

If they have agreed the adjustment in writing, what happens if you refuse longer drives? You are somewhat complicit if you say it’s ok now and then.... it’s either ok or it is not.

 

Was your agreement forever, or time bound while you recovered, or is t vague? Occ health referral again to seek clarity if vague.

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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Hiya. Thanks for the reply.

 

I see three points there, so I'll have a crack at them.

 

Regarding the kind of work... Their Doctor has confirmed that the "intricate" work, as we'll call it, is physically damaging to my neck. I'll be honest. I don't know where he got that from, but I'm happy to accept that. It wasn't something I specifically asked him to put in, he just did. So, to my mind, there is a causality between my neck injury and the type of work involved and that's been verified by their own doctor.

Also, it's not simply a "dislike" - it's an inability. I'm always trying to find a way to explain it... Imagine you are tasked with threading very small needles with incredibly fine thread (While in the front room of someone's house, while their cat tries to befriend you). Some people will be able to, others can't. I belong in the "can't" partition. As I've described it, it's like being employed to repair cars, and then being expected to repair old clock movement watches.

 

I agreed the adjustment, and have repeatedly complained about the driving in excess of that adjustment. Most of the time, they ignore my complaint, and on many occasions, they've used the well known phrase "Well, you've not got a job with us then," (I would say they do that by phone, so no email audit trail.)

How I would word a statement on it would be: "Despite making repeated and vocal complaints, to both my line manager and HR, I felt forced to do these, in fear of losing my job..."

 

While there is "wiggle room" regarding the belief of the 200 mile a day ruling. I agree both sides can read it differently. And while, to me, my doctor, and now my Union Rep, the medical certificate is clear and precise, I can cope with others perhaps thinking differently.

However, their statement about certain tickets: "You said that we can support you by limiting the driving distance, specifically no London or South Coast. We did agree that this is possible. Please do not think that it was a “lack of common sense” on our part. At times we have emergencies or lack of a free local engineer and this has been the reason for assigning long-distance tickets to you. However, we now understand the impact this has on you and will not be assigning such tickets to you." This seems as slam dunk as it could be. This was a promise / commitment made by their head of HR. By ways of intimidation, they coerced me into breaking it, and I've complained about those times.

 

As to outright refusing. I did that very thing yesterday. I emailed both my line manager and HR, explaining my reasons, and quoting both my doctor and theirs about the physical damage it was causing me. I have not heard back from them. I believe I have been marked off as sick.

 

Finally. As far as I am concerned, the statement a few comments ago was, and remains forever. The quote is directly from the document. I can't see any ambiguity in the statement. Unless Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, Falmouth, Torquay and Plymouth have magically been transported elsewhere in the UK, their commitment has been breached numerous times.

 

Thanks again.

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They are able to dismiss if you are physically unable to meet the requirements of the job. "I can't" would be the words.

 

But, you would be able to do another job. So no ill health retiral for you.

 

Fighting on both fronts would in my opinion be foolish if you wish to remain employed. But I think ultimately, if you can't travel where needed, and you can't do the jobs required, you are going to part ways. And because you could do some work, for someone else, that's not going to be with a payout.

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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Hi again.

 

While I can see what you're saying, you still seem to be missing the point about them changing the job in a specific manner to (for want of a better word) "inconvenience" me. I have even surreptitiously got a job description from them, and I CAN do every single thing they ask on it. They're clearly asking extra of me, and ONLY me.

 

There is also the discrimination of sending me (In Weston Super Mare) to ridiculously long distance calls when they have lesser qualified (but more suited) engineers nearby, in the full knowledge that it was causing physical injury to me, as confirmed in an email from them in July 2017.

 

Bottom line is that - on a level playing field - I am capable of doing the job I am employed to do. In fact, I am the singularly most qualified engineer they employ. I am also the one with arguably the most (30 years) experience. My experience / qualifications and their job description fit like hand and glove. They are simply discriminating against me. For instance, if I had "difficulty" arranging flowers in a vase, you could bet they'd start sending me out to Newcastle to arrange flowers.

I've perhaps been more apologetic for some of my shortcomings than I should have, but they are doing the wrong, not me. I am 100% capable of doing my job.

 

They've also breached documented arrangements / adjustments, or whatever you call them, for injuries that I received while working for them, and they have done so in a malicious manner. This has compounded physical damage to me, and both my and their doctors have catalogued the injuries to me on that front.

 

I think my positions is, if they want to fire me, let them. I actually enjoy the work I do (The job in my job description), but I've no particular desire to work for a company that will do that to a human being. My Union will represent me in any unfair dismissal / grievance hearing. They obviously have access to some mails I can't divulge here, but they see it as a firm case if it goes in that direction.

 

They've also put me in touch with their legal team regarding compensation for industrial injuries and harassment at work.

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I hope the union can help. But I do think if they want to, they can legally dismiss on capacity, given what you have said here.

 

It might depend on the size of the unit too. Smaller units with fewer people have a much lower bar of what is "reasonable."

 

You won't know for sure until it goes to court.

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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PS sorry forgot; they are only obliged to level the playing field if you are covered by the equality act.

 

"You're disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities."

 

I'd say no, based on what you have told us so far. But I am not a judge. In effect though uitl you confirm that protection you're running on favours.

Never assume anyone on the internet is who they say they are. Only rely on advice from insured professionals you have paid for!

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  • 1 month later...

Hiya, not had news on this for quite a while...

 

I can confirm that I AM covered by Equality Act 2010 according to: The Equality Advisory and Support Service, ACAS, two independent doctors and a counselor.

 

Things have got rather dirty and personal since my last post...

 

They've made personal attacks against me and my wife (Don't know what my wife had to do with things) in front of other employees and my Union Rep.

 

They've falsified documents in an attempt to get grounds to fire me (They took my data from my tracker in my car, multiplied the speed by 20% and "presented it" to me as grounds for dismissal. Maybe if they hadn't just made everything straight forward 20%, it could've got through.)

 

They have developed a tactic of "ambush" meetings, designed to address one issue, but actually used to bring another one up.

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i hope the union rep then made contemporaneous notes of this. If not then your word isnt worth much a year later. To that end you write up a precis of every meeting, whop was there and who said what. time and date your notes

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