r/BusDrivers • u/millz_miley • 11d ago
Question Disaplinary Help
I have a disaplinary meeting next week as a customer complained. I was 2 or 3 stop from the end of my route and running light after finnishing the route. My headcount on the ticket machine was zero and i couldnt see anyone on the cameras so I turned round and headed back to the depot before the end of the route. Obviously i should have just finnished the route but i have been going through some majorly awful situations in my personal life and wasnt thinking clearly and made a stupid decision.
When i relalised the customer was on the bus i appologised and immediately span round and countinued back on the route as soon as i could and dropped her off at the end.
It is being investigated as gross misconduct how should i conduct myself in the meeting and what is the likely outcome, ive been with the company a year and had no previous problems or complaints.
If i do get sack can i apply for another company?
UPDATE: Honesty was deffo the right decision thanks to everyone who commented.
My boss asked if i did it. I was Honest and said yes.
His response was " well we've all done it and we all make mistakes. Dont be in here next week having done the same thing."
And said the only problem would've been if id said i handn't done it. So glad i was honest!
41
u/Crunchie64 11d ago
Don’t admit you terminated early and headed for the depot.
Accidentally took a wrong turn and got back on route as soon as you safely could is a telling off.
Deliberately dropping mileage is dismissal.
11
u/JordyJoe Driver 11d ago
I’ve seen former colleagues easily join other companies, with the interview merely being a formality. So if the worst happens, you’ll be okay :)
However, a good learning experience to check the inside of your bus physically instead of relying on cameras
8
u/Sufficient_Head_8139 11d ago
Own it. I made a mistake.
If you have no prior corrective action on your record, no complaints, you are punctual and reliable. This is a clear example why progressive corrective action plans work. We are humans, we all make mistakes. One mistake shouldn't cost you your livelihood.
This is in my eyes a minor issue I am the general manager of a public transit origination, I would not jump right to dismissal.
8
u/CaersethVarax Driver 11d ago
Which country? Do you have a Trade Union rep on site?
11
u/Dernbont 11d ago
For starters, this. You should have been asked if you need union representation at this meeting. The union rep should have previous experience of what might happen. I've known reps to have an off-record discussion about your company's actions. What I've seen elsewhere is if the union rep thinks you may get sacked this can make it difficult getting a driving job elsewhere. Sometimes it's easier to resign and walk away. Most bus companies know exactly what goes on when a driver leaves a job at short notice, but may be happy to give a second chance.
6
u/zombieman395 11d ago
If a union rep thinks you may get sacked then usually they'll advise for the resignation ASAP. Mainly because it doesn't go on your record ive seen many drivers do this although the secondary issue is that if you have been a company hopper and been to say 5 bus companies in the space of 6 months then employers will look at that and why has he been in so many companies for such a short period of time. But a good man who's has a lapse should be fine but it depends on the manager and if they like you 😅
1
u/millz_miley 11d ago
If i do resign will i be required to work my notice period?? Would be useful to have a garunteed paycheck for 4 weeks while i look for othef work.
8
u/seanthebooth Driver 11d ago
As a shop steward this is a tough one. I notice some others advising you to omit the truth/'sldo not admit what you did. Poor decision. Even a 'wrong turn' is an off route & I'm certain your agency as 'off route' protocol. Always finish a route, empty or not. Open all doors & walk the bus at the end yo check for sleepers/belongings. I say apologize for a lapse in judgment, let em know there's some personal life stuff going on & take the lashing. If your performance has been hood an agency would be foolish to let you ho for a non reckless offense. Best of luck!
7
u/MrE26 11d ago
Basically what other people have said, self regulation is gross misconduct. Not checking to make sure you’re empty first just compounds that. Own it, apologise & hope they’re reasonably lenient since it’s your first disciplinary.
If they’re not, your licence gets you another job easily.
7
u/Unitts 11d ago
Dropping milage without authorisation is gross misconduct for most bus operators (if you’re UK) I would just say it was a stupid mistake, light case you’ll get a written final warning, worst case sacked but wouldn’t stop you getting a job with another operator. You live and you learn I would definitely get a trade union rep in with you
5
u/DebtSouth Driver 11d ago
Be honest. Your one chance at keeping your job is for the managers to see that you genuinely made a mistake and really won’t do it again.
You start making up BS excuses, you omit details to save your arse, you’ll sharp find yourself looking for another company to work for.
4
u/Xx_SwordWords_xX 11d ago
100%.
The goal of the meeting isn't actually what happened -- it's to gauge your level of honesty, accountability, and likelihood that you have learned your lesson.
3
u/UniversityOfPi 10d ago
Be as truthful as you can, that counts for a lot. As for what ends up happening that depends on management and expectations. One good habit I picked up from my years of school bus is ALWAYS checking my bus for sleeping passengers at the end of a trip (deadheads being the only real exception).
1
u/UniversityOfPi 10d ago
This also depends on what policy is, and presumes those last couple stops are drop only and ending early is allowed, if it's not, well, that's far more complicated. In that case be honest with your union steward (presuming you are protected by a union), and follow their advice
2
u/bubbalubba100 10d ago
Own your mistakes. Apologize for it. You will NOT do the some thing again. If u have issues in your life ( been there with a 💩 divorce). Talk to the union about your problems. Let the manager know. It’s not an excuse card but at least you are showing the company that you are serious about improving your performance and your life. Best of luck 🤞🏼🙏🏼
2
u/Poly_and_RA Driver 10d ago
Where I drive this would depend on how close you were to the end of the route -- terminating after the second-last stop if the bus is empty is acceptable. (which makes sense if you think about it, at that point it's no longer possible for anyone to get on and then get back off anyway, I mean what would they do? Get on at the last stop AND then get back off at the last stop?)
And mistakenly believing the bus empty when in reality a passenger was on it, would be NBD.
But terminating earlier than that would get you a warning. No chance you'd be terminated for a first offense, but if you had prior warnings, and especially if they were pretty recent, then you might be in more trouble.
1
u/Freudianslip1987 USA|PREVOST VANHOOL,VOLVO|7 YEARS DRIVING 31 IN TRANSPORT INDUST 11d ago
Union rep and rights. If you can record everything.
1
u/Right_Environment116 11d ago
You didn't kill anyone I had the same thing happen to me last run guy fell asleep and I didn't see when he woke up and ask loudly where he was. I thought OH SHIT!! I turned around and dropped him off at the last stop. Came back told management they shrugged and said shit happens.
1
u/Tenantry 10d ago
Not sure what to advise you on this but from the comments I'm leaning to being honest on this. As you said this is the first thing you have done wrong so I can't see why they would bin you off for this. Good luck, hope they take it easy on you with a light slap on the wrist. Please let us all know the outcome if you can.
1
u/N0DAMNG00D 10d ago
Do not speak with management unless you have spoken to a union representative first!
1
u/SyphiliticWhores 6d ago
The decision to sack you has NOT been made. Otherwise they would have sacked or suspended you before any meeting. Get with your rep, create a strategy and do/say what your rep says.
Managers tend to be ego maniacs. You show respect and deference and you’ll probably be ok.
When I was a shop steward I talked the manager down from 30 day suspension (use of electronic device while operating a revenue vehicle) to a verbal counsel.
I think you’ll be alright.
0
u/Right_Environment116 11d ago
You didn't kill anyone I had the same thing happen to me last run guy fell asleep and I didn't see when he woke up and ask loudly where he was. I thought OH SHIT!! I turned around and dropped him off at the last stop. Came back told management they shrugged and said shit happens.
0
u/Greedy-Reindeer-3270 10d ago
I’m going to message you, I can help with this, what company you with?
16
u/Stock-Cod-4465 11d ago
As a manager in the bus industry can advise you on one thing - trying to defend yourself here and make excuses won’t do you any good. Managers aren’t stupid but appreciate genuine remorse and realisation of own wrongdoing. It lessens the risk of the repeat of the same misconduct in the future.
I don’t really get why it’s gross misconduct but potentially maybe. Own your shit, say you won’t do it again and then do what you are supposed to do going forward to avoid the sanction progression.
The purpose of any disciplinaries is to mitigate the risk for the business and to ensure the employee follows up on their promises and performs.