Expensive payout after trashing someones car at work. Advice?

ohreally

You should inform your TU asap and ask their advice on how to proceed.

Have you provided your employer with express written consent to repay insurable losses? (i think tu would be interested in this one).

InNeedofHelp

kazmeister wrote: »

Unfortunately I could not open your posted page.

I generally just lurk with interest, however I found it simple to open the page - you just delete the spaces in the URL that they had to put in as they're a new member.

To help OP...

Mr_Mystery

Thanks for that.

Anyway, was asked the same questions again today - what happened, how did it happen etc, despite having answered this at the weekend. I think perhaps just to check for inconsistencies perhaps.

I'm required to fill out an insurance form, yet again detailing what happened & drawing images.

One section of the form is to be completed tomorrow, at work i imagine, which goes on to mention police & other witnesses etc.
The bit at the end i'm not keen on - i sign this to say i give permission for you to admit my blame, or something to that effect.

lama_pdx

Don't sign it!

Has the union person returned your call? Did you get through to anyone at the CAB?

haycorns

i would re-iterate what others have said. Speak to your union rep - this is what you pay union fees for and they will have dealt with cases like this many times.

Use their experience and let them support you through what you are finding a very diffficult time. If you aren't going to use their services then you should stop paying their fees, but they can really help you right now.

Mr_Mystery

The union were useless, which i am going to chase up.

Called them on Tuesday. Was told nobody would be in touch 'any time soon' but that they'll be in touch. I'm still waiting.
Not only this, i wasn't "on the rota" despite paying my dues for well over 12 months.
Not impressed. Co-workers who are signed up to the same union have reported the same issues. This is the first time i've ever had to call on them so i don't know if not returning calls is normal practice, but when i say i will call someone back ...... i call someone back!!

As for CAB - i'll never touch them again. Went to them over an incident once & they advised there was nothing i could do. Turned out there was. If i'd have stopped at their advice i would've been £700 shy. Poor & false advice given so i'll not use them again.

ohreally

Mr_Mystery wrote: »

The union were useless, which i am going to chase up.

Called them on Tuesday. Was told nobody would be in touch 'any time soon' but that they'll be in touch. I'm still waiting.
Not only this, i wasn't "on the rota" despite paying my dues for well over 12 months.
Not impressed. Co-workers who are signed up to the same union have reported the same issues.

Do you receive correspondence from the union either from branch, regional or national level? If not that would have suggested to me that you had fallen off the radar for some reason.
Are you subs collected by the employer or do you pay subs direct to union - i'm guessing employer is collecting them.

lama_pdx

I fear ohreally might be right about the dues. At least you're finding out about it.

Sorry you've had trouble but be careful you don't start 'yabutting'. That's my what my father called it when someone asks for advice, but then rejects all suggestions. 'Yeah but, yeah but, yeah but...'

You know you can't get specific legal advice from a forum. You've written off the CAB because they once were unhelpful to you (ignoring all the thousands of times when they are incredibly helpful to people). You've got into a grump with the union––call them back, maybe someone was off sick. Things happen. And for unknown reasons you haven't contacted a law centre or solicitor––you can get free legal aid-funded advice around employment matters (but be sure to call before the end of March, as that's changing).

Sorry you're in an unfair situation. The good news is there is help out there. But you have to make a move and advocate for yourself.

Mr_Mystery

I pay direct via direct debit.

I receive & continue to receive union bumf via post & email.

How could I trust the CAB advice again after they nearly cost so much?

I haven't been to a solicitor (are they open Sundays? If not then that writes them off anyway) as I pay my union dues who should be able to help perfectly well.

And as said ... I will be chasing them up. No 'getting in a grump' as you put it. I will be back in touch (with them).

williacg

Mr_Mystery wrote: »

I pay direct via direct debit.

I receive & continue to receive union bumf via post & email.

How could I trust the CAB advice again after they nearly cost so much?

I haven't been to a solicitor (are they open Sundays? If not then that writes them off anyway) as I pay my union dues who should be able to help perfectly well.

And as said ... I will be chasing them up. No 'getting in a grump' as you put it. I will be back in touch (with them).

Could you not take a half day annual leave?