DHL anybody work for them?

[rumple]

Thanks for the support guys, its going to be a shock, but I'm thinking positive, if I don't like it, well it'll pay the mortgage until I find something else, I am going to make a go of it though, I've got a driving assessment Monday.

[Oggs]

I worked for them on a Boots contract... Shocking ste the problem was mainly the tossers running the DC.

Good luck with the job

[rumple]

Oggs said:

I worked for them on a Boots contract... Shocking ste the problem was mainly the tossers running the DC.

Good luck with the job

Had my driving assessment today, what a fking eye opener! the level of bullst was bordering on the spectacular, I am still positive about the job though, just shocked at the paperwork and does and don'ts.

[rumple]

Iv e done two weeks now, my main problem is the firm is 100% legit, this is a novel experience for me, its a new depot that has only been running a few weeks, five units one of which is a shunter, I did a week of nights which killed me, this week im on 6 am starts, next week as well so that could be permanent.
Driving low spec units is an eye opener, they are auto's as well, pretty untidy and abused which I did not expect, I have however had the same unit all week, if I have it next week then the Vinyl and Rubber care and a cloth is going in with me.
The job itself is well paid and piss easy, the traffic office seem to be pretty decent, Im used to the paperwork now and the health and safety, the biggest problem is I am now monthly paid so I'm fecking absolutely skint.
My mate, who knows me well thinks I wont hack it, he thinks I'm too much of a dinosaur to adapt, he wasn't being at all insulting be the two of us have both done too much for dodgy tts in the past, I am optimistic and although there is no job satisfaction I am liking it, I have a life now (when Ive got some friggin money) and could go to work in a shirt and trousers if I want, its a clean job.
We work Monday to Friday and are expected to work one weekend in every two, so five shifts one week and six the next, the transport manager is trying this out in the hope we can stay off the usual DHL rolling week, so in summary Ive landed on my feet here boys, but being a new job we will see how it pans out.

[Super Slo Mo]

Sounds good, hope it continues to go well. DHL are, in my experience, sticklers for playing by the rules.

We used to have 100% tacho checks, and would then have to debrief drivers on the results, even if they were 60 seconds over on drive time, for instance (no bkings mind, just a simple discussion). I think our drivers used to like the fact that they weren't expected to bend the rules, and could (and often did) refuse to do something if it was likely to put them over their drive/duty times.

The regulars used to get their own wagon pretty much all the time, unless it was VOR for some reason, some of those you could eat your dinner off the interior, other's were a proper st tip.
Agency's and new starters tended to be swapped around a bit more frequently, although from what I can remember, the traffic office are quite open to a driver wishing to stick with one truck. It's worth asking them if you can stay in one vehicle, if they know you're going to look after it, it makes their lives easier ultimately.

[philthy]

Fun Bus said:

I held a management role with DHL which involved dealing with route planning and drivers. Happy to help if I can.

I held a driving role with DHL.
Did you use the standard dartboard and blindfold when routing?

Seriously though, they weren't bad to work for. The kit was kept good, and the money if you got taken on was very good for this area. This was at a small local depot though, and after I left, they decided to close it, and st on the staff. Once they discovered how much it would cost, they kept it open. Moral is still at rock bottom there.

[rumple]

Ok update time , I started on April 7th, I was the AM shunter, very good hours very good job, however this last week everything has changed.

Problem number one. I have been replaced as the AM shunted and am now on a perminant PM shift, 1500 to 0100, this means in the week I don't see my kids, or have any sort of life, no reason has been given.

Problem number two. My Nan's birthday is on Sunday, it is her 90 th, we have arranged a suprise party, her brother is coming from Canada, my Dad is coming from Spain, I spoke to my transport manager about it to be told, 'that's fine Chris, your rotered to have that Sunday off any way, ' that was three weeks ago, today I find out I have to work, I voiced my objections and reasons to no avail, so that's where we are, I thought I'd got passed this st working for a large company, where we are now is I have told Sunday's planner I'm going sick and warned him of this, what else can i do?, there is no way I'm coming in Sunday, I don't want to lose my job though, although I'm fast approaching the point where I care. Any advice?.

[philthy]

Every time you ask about your shift, so you can make plans, have the union rep there, or get it in writing.
Petty I know, but it's the only way to deal with "forgetful" management.

[rumple]

We haven't got a rep, there is only four units here, this is the transport manager being a total tool, the rest of the traffic offic can't work him out either, I've gone from enjoying my job and thinking I've landed on my feet to treading water until I find other employment.

[philthy]

Take a pre printed form in, with the date/s you want, and ask him to sign it.
If he refuses, try and have one of your colleagues with you.

It's not an unreasonable request after all !

[GEARJAMMER]

chilistrucker said:

i can't do the whole big firm mentality. just not me.
my mate works for maritime, and it really suits him, and he plods along quite happily, i tried but got sick to death of corporate bullst.
i much prefer the smaller "proper" haulage type companies, where you are still allowed to think for yourself.
horses for courses i guess.

+1.

[rumple]

GEARJAMMER said:

chilistrucker said:

i can't do the whole big firm mentality. just not me.
my mate works for maritime, and it really suits him, and he plods along quite happily, i tried but got sick to death of corporate bullst.
i much prefer the smaller "proper" haulage type companies, where you are still allowed to think for yourself.
horses for courses i guess.

+1.

Same here, however I have two kids that I was missing growing up, I have never meet the driver that doesn't regret not seeing their kids grow up, I also have a future with DHL, I can get promoted , move up the ladder as such.
I agree with your comments, the way they go on about such trivial things is laughable but I am now doing an 8 hour day, its so easy.
I still don't know if I'm going to stick it, but I have all the time in the world to go back to general haulage.

[Rumple]

OK time for an update, DHL went well, I got my head around the bullst but ultimately fell foul of it.
I got promoted to the traffic office, I found the job interesting and enjoyed going to work.
20 minutes ago I Emailed my resignation to my transport manager, unfortunately whilst in my 6 month stint as a yard shunter I committed what DHL call a rollaway, I have been suspended and have jumped before I was sacked.
The fact that the tug rolled 2.5 feet didn't seem relevant, the fact that no one was injured or no damage was done was irrelevant, I worked out that my disciplinary would come down to one question, why was the handbrake off, there really is no defence to that question, The H&S lady in charge of the contract I am on remarked that distance and damage are irrelevant, it was a rollaway.
My transport manager has delayed setting the ball rolling to give me time to think, I have resigned to stop any black mark going onto my record.

Bit fked off about the whole situation really.

I have been offered a new job, running into France and Belgium with a fridge, good tackle, good money, not what I want but beggers cant be choosers.

[Super Slo Mo]

I've been reading your other thread about it. I thought I'd remembered that you were at a DHL contract. It was a DHL contract where the same happened, but it was considered a bit of a joke. It was part of a training procedure where the driver forgot to engage his handbrake. He just got extra training and a red face.

However, each contract is different, and they might have tightened up the rules a bit since then.

Bit of a shame, but I guess that's that.

[Rumple]

Yes it is, for the first time in twenty years I was home every night, I was getting to know my wife and daughters again and felt like I was getting my life back, I am not looking back though, there will be other jobs.

[Super Slo Mo]

Out of interest, which DHL contract was it, if you don't mind saying so of course?

[Beyond Rational]

If you do want to go back it'd probably be a good idea to get this and the other thread removed.

[footballhead0]

I'm not sure if anyone will see this, but I'm in the same boat about to be made redundant. Does anyone know what the Tibbett and Britten enhanced redundancy payments are? I was told it's 2x up to 40 and 3x after, is this true and is it capped?

Thanks in advance.