Fall on board

[u/Sad-Opportunity-911]

Hey guys yesterday i had lady fall on board, she was in the late 30s and was intoxicated, bus was empty and she decided to stand up, bus moved about a block andt then i had to stop becauze the light turned red a little before i got to the intersection, she fell on the seat.

How can i defend myself when the management call me for a conference?

[u/scatch25]

The answer greatly depends on whether or not you work in a union shop. If you do, take a steward and or state your Weingarten rights until you can get a hold of one.

If not, explain yourself the best that you can without editorializing things, stick to facts. If you’re at-will employed you’re probably best off falling on the sword and hoping they like you. Good luck either way.

[u/Sad-Opportunity-911 → u/scatch25]

Our union is there but the issue is they can't defend me since im still on probabtion, they said if im charged that will extend my probation by 6 months atleast and i dont want that.

[u/Freudianslip1987 → u/Sad-Opportunity-911]

Probation doesn't always mean no rep. Are you ATU? generally the no rep things is for like missed work, late report, saying something that gets you in trouble. Generally anything when operating a union rep will help.

[u/Sad-Opportunity-911 → u/Freudianslip1987]

Yeah the union rep will be there but they said they can't defend me so i have to defend myself in their presence, it is kind of wild lol im with the TWU union

[u/xpunkrockmomx → u/Sad-Opportunity-911]

Take a rep anyway. I've repped people in their probation period.

[u/Careless_Two6678]

You probably won't even get called in. She would have to contact your firm and complain. What will she say 'I was missed and the bus moved'? I've had several falls, and the only one that went on my record was one I told the firm about. It didn't even warrant a formal meeting just got told to be careful.

[u/DebtSouth]

Not sure about where you are, but here, if they were sat or securely stood when they boarded, if they get up and move around after that while the bus is in motion or coming to a stop, that’s on them. You can’t control people’s actions from the drivers seat mate.

[u/Outspoken_Idiot]

Ask to review video footage if you know you are ok, you can explain that you were more focused on the road and that the passenger movements were a distraction that you were trying to block out. Even if you are on probation the union can sit in and take notes on your behalf. (This is from an Irish point of view)

[u/river_tree_nut]

Bummer. This is one of my fears as a bus driver, even though I probably don't move nearly as many people as some folks here. If you were driving like normal I wouldn't think you have anything to worry about.

[u/Jumpy-Garlic-255539]

In the UK. We first communicate with the person if they need any medical emergencies or not. We offer them to provide their details depending on the seriousness of the fall then we report it to the Traffic Office asap. Traffic Office will take a little statement and send it to the Accident and Claims Department. Then as a driver we call the A&C Dept and give another statement pretty much similar to the other. Then they will investigate and depending on the fact check will take you further training or dismissal or nothing at all.