"Parking Lie" and my Employer's Car Park

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

What a laugh... I found out the other week that Coupon-mad's friends at Parking Lie are responsible for our work car park.

Considering I have a long term post pregnancy related condition, which renders me unable to carry heavy laptop equipment and other work related items I need for my job, if there are no spaces in the main car park, I often park in a disabled space (seeing as there are plenty) and I have authority to do this by signing an "exceptions sheet" on Reception about why, on the very odd occasion I do so, that I need to park there. Today, I had such need to do so.

I happened to be getting a coffee in our canteen and spotted the Parking Lie "Parking Enforcement Officer" taking pictures of my vehicle and ticketing it. To which, naturally, I went to challenge him. His excuse is that "I was not displaying a Blue Badge to park in a disabled space". He was reminded that this is not a requirement on private land and that I have authority to park there. I refused to take the ticket off him to which I got a snide response of "well Ive got photographic evidence anyway".

His reponse: "Once the ticket is issued - thats it". Naturally, I have complained to our FM:

"I would like to complain about the Parking Eye attendant.

He has issued me a ticket today for not displaying a blue badge in a disabled space. The only reason that I have parked there today is that as you have previously been notified (and HR are too) that I still have a post-pregnancy related long term condition (longer than 1 year), which means that I cant carry anything of any weight any distance.

The M6 was closed this morning which made me late and meant I was unable to find a space. Therefore, when this occurs, as I have always done at either xx or xx I parked in a disabled bay and added my details to the exception list – as I always do on the rare occasion that this occurs. This is not the norm as I am normally in before 0830 and can easily find a space.

You might want to let Parking Eye know that by ticketing me, that they have contravened the Disability Act 2010 as I have a long term condition. Also, please remind them that “non display of a blue badge” is not a requirement on private land – as as we are. It is only a requirement to display a blue badge on a public highway or in a council car park – not on private land. That is what the law says.

Therefore I ask that this “ticket” is cancelled with immediate effect as I have been discriminated against. Please confirm that you have organised its cancellation.

Half_way

Do you know this individual who ticketed your vehicle?

You should tell your manager what has happened and that they need to liase with parking eye to get this cancelled.
remind them that they are jointly and seveeraly liable for the actions of thier agents, parking eye.

Also have look round for some PE storys, try this for starters and let your managers know/share them http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/parkingeye-sue-parent-of-seriously-ill.html

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

Half_way wrote: »

Do you know this individual who ticketed your vehicle?

You should tell your manager what has happened and that they need to liase with parking eye to get this cancelled.
remind them that they are jointly and seveeraly liable for the actions of thier agents, parking eye.

Also have look round for some PE storys, try this for starters and let your managers know/share them http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/parkingeye-sue-parent-of-seriously-ill.html

Half_way I haven't seen him before but I'll find out. It's a disgrace. We are moving to Manchester real soon and I'm worried about this. I have also arranged to see our advocate at work - we have volunteers who work on behalf of staff to raise employee issues

Coupon-mad

the Disability Act 2010

Should be the Equality Act 2010.

But nice complaint. Don't overlook appealing to PE within 28 days if the employers are slow to act to cancel this discriminatory trash.

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Should be the Equality Act 2010.

But nice complaint. Don't overlook appealing to PE within 28 days if the employers are slow to act to cancel this discriminatory trash.

I am hopeful it will just get squashed but I've arranged an appointment with our employee advocate anyway to raise awareness of these sc@mmers

Umkomaas

Not a common event for a 'boots on the ground' ParkingEye ticket. AFAICR I've never read a previous PE disabled bay parking case. Is it definitely PE?

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

Umkomaas wrote: »

Not a common event for a 'boots on the ground' ParkingEye ticket. AFAICR I've never read a previous PE disabled bay parking case. Is it definitely PE?

Yes Umkomaas. He had on a PE identification badge and I asked him was that whom he worked for. I'm back in work Tuesday will take a picture of signage

Loadsofchildren123

He picked the wrong person!!! Employer is liable too for the wrongful/discriminatory acts of its agents. Make sure you press this point with the advocate.

Loadsofchildren123

Make a formal complaint to BPA as well. Not just about the ticket itself but the behaviour of the attendant. According to their CoP they should take this seriously (but of course they won't).

Loadsofchildren123

CoP:
A4.1 Any organisation or person applying for BPA or AOS membership must:
• sign a declaration agreeing to keep to the Code and its principles
• agree to keep appropriate records to show full and effective compliance with the Code requirements and to allow a full review of these records by the BPA if we make a reasonable request


A4.2
To stay a member of the BPA you must keep to the conditions of the Code. If you do not keep to the conditions of the Code we may take disciplinary action against you


A6.8
If you do not comply with the Code you may be suspended or expelled immediately from the BPA.

Loadsofchildren123

I think this forum should encourage more complaints. Surely if multiple complaints are received about unscrupulous practices, including discrimination, these would if nothing else become annoying.
I doubt the BPA will act on them though, although they should.


One day these organisations (BPA/IPC) may become subject to the Freedom of Information Act (particularly now the ISPA has gone which oversaw POPLA) and it would be fantastic for defendants to be able to ask for information about the numbers of complaints, which they'd then have to provide.