F-reds:
Paul’s family should not have to collect his belongings from the nearest depot.
That struck me when I read the email too. Matthews really do seem to be coming across, with everything they do to try to mitigate the situation, to be digging a deeper and deeper hole. Their attitude seems to be “he’s dead, there’'s no profit to be made from him any more, get his stuff off of our premises or we’ll throw it in a skip”.
I’d agree wholeheartedly, if it’s true, but first we need verification of the origin of the email and there’s the very reason for me removing it.
It’s on page 4 of the updates on the go fund me page, placed there by the family, by the looks of it.
It seems to be posted by Malcolm Harper, who I assume is the ex driver.
Whether he is linked to the family or has an axe to grind is unclear…
But from the fact he has multiple posts on the page, it appears he is acting upon behalf of the family!
dieseldave:
Now then chaps, Evil8Beezle and OVLOV JAY are spot-on.
The alleged email has been removed pending verification.
Speculation is to be avoided PLEASE.
Here we are Dave, here’s how to get to the email in question:
Go back to the original post of this thread, page one.
Click on the ‘Go fund me’ link.
Scroll down and click on ‘most liked comments’.
This brings up the word ‘Recent’ - click on it.
Scroll down past a couple of spam emails to the one in question, starting "Good morning Pamela…
The author of that post is the family friend, Malcolm, who was on the ITV news feature and is dealing with the media etc. on their behalf, (understandably).
Perhaps a CM journalist or someone could contact him to clarify the EXACT layout of the email senders address,- as previously noted that is a very important detail as to who actually sent it.
switchlogic:
This has all become so murky I think people need to let this lie. Its turned into a ■■■ for tat affair that is doing no one at all any good
switchlogic:
This has all become so murky I think people need to let this lie. Its turned into a ■■■ for tat affair that is doing no one at all any good
I’m sure the thread will eventually wither and die as all threads do, but for now the anger about Matthews’ outrageous treatment of their driver has not yet abated and so I suppose that members should be allowed to say their thing.
In the longer term, lessons should be learned from this- not least that if a truck driver dies abroad while at work, then no matter what mode his tachograph is showing at the time, the cost of recovering his body should be legally required to be covered by insurance.
I’ll just add that I did continental work for around 25 years, I’ve had good jobs and I’ve had appalling jobs. Even the lowest, most dishonest and unscrupulous employer I ever had would not have taken the stance Matthews’ are taking.
switchlogic:
This has all become so murky I think people need to let this lie. Its turned into a ■■■ for tat affair that is doing no one at all any good
I’m sure the thread will eventually wither and die as all threads do, but for now the anger about Matthews’ outrageous treatment of their driver has not yet abated and so I suppose that members should be allowed to say their thing.
In the longer term, lessons should be learned from this- not least that if a truck driver dies abroad while at work, then no matter what mode his tachograph is showing at the time, the cost of recovering his body should be legally required to be covered by insurance.
I do find the extent of the anger somewhat baffling though. Yes it was a s… thing to do but the way some are going on you’d think they were personally involved. Someone posted on Sainsburys Facebook page asking them to stop using them (unlikely that they have a direct contract with Sainsburys anyway) and the comments turned insane. Halfway down people started to attack Sainsburys despite them having nothing to do with this and by the end Sainsburys were a ‘disgrace’ and ‘shameful’. Its turned into a typical social media witch-hunt I’m afraid where facts become irrelevant.
switchlogic:
I do find the extent of the anger somewhat baffling though. Yes it was a s… thing to do but the way some are going on you’d think they were personally involved. Someone posted on Sainsburys Facebook page asking them to stop using them (unlikely that they have a direct contract with Sainsburys anyway) and the comments turned insane. Halfway down people started to attack Sainsburys despite them having nothing to do with this and by the end Sainsburys were a ‘disgrace’ and ‘shameful’. Its turned into a typical social media witch-hunt I’m afraid where facts become irrelevant.
I sort of know where you are coming from, it is a bit like watching an Alabama lynch mob at work in 1910. However, I wouldn’t disagree with the concept of trying to cause Matthews’ maximum commercial damage as a punishment for their behaviour.
Matthews’ is a highly profitable company, I haven’t got a pot to ■■■■ in but I wouldn’t dream of doing what they have done.
Harry Monk:
However, I wouldn’t disagree with the concept of trying to cause Matthews’ maximum commercial damage as a punishment for their behaviour.
What sort of purpose would such a pointless exercise do except cause some guys to lose their job for a while, do you really not believe that if it all gets too ■■■■■■ to carry on Matthews will simply put the company in administration and phoenix it back under a new name.
You have not been affected personally except for some moral outrage so why do you feel the need to try and destroy drivers livelihoods?
I think you are missing the point Del. What Harry is trying to illustrate is that this company SHOULD not be trading in the first place if they can’t even fathom basic dignity and respect issues.
And if I worked there I wouldn’t need putting out of a job. I would walk anyway.
There are some things in life which are far more important than a job. I for one believe Mr Monks posts are bang on the money.
eagerbeaver:
I think you are missing the point Del. What Harry is trying to illustrate is that this company SHOULD not be trading in the first place if they can’t even fathom basic dignity and respect issues.
And if I worked there I wouldn’t need putting out of a job. I would walk anyway.
There are some things in life which are far more important than a job. I for one believe Mr Monks posts are bang on the money.
The company will carry on trading regardless of how crap it gets, even if they need to change their name, most customers will not give a fig as to their behaviour.
eagerbeaver:
I think you are missing the point Del. What Harry is trying to illustrate is that this company SHOULD not be trading in the first place if they can’t even fathom basic dignity and respect issues.
And if I worked there I wouldn’t need putting out of a job. I would walk anyway.
There are some things in life which are far more important than a job. I for one believe Mr Monks posts are bang on the money.
The company will carry on trading regardless of how crap it gets, even if they need to change their name, most customers will not give a fig as to their behaviour.
Maybe so, but there’s a good chance their attitude would have changed because of what’s happened.
What would you rather, them to carry on like nothing has happened and repeat their behavior?
In my opinion. Which is usually wrong, Matthews should have just been bothered about getting Paul home, and then approached the insurers for reimbursement. It’s a complete no brainer.
It’s going to bite them on the arse more than they ever imagined. I’m not sad enough to try it, but imagine a prospective customer googling Matthews Transport at this moment in time.
dieseldave:
Now then chaps, Evil8Beezle and OVLOV JAY are spot-on.
The alleged email has been removed pending verification.
Speculation is to be avoided PLEASE.
Here we are Dave, here’s how to get to the email in question:
Go back to the original post of this thread, page one.
Click on the ‘Go fund me’ link.
Scroll down and click on ‘most liked comments’.
This brings up the word ‘Recent’ - click on it.
Scroll down past a couple of spam emails to the one in question, starting "Good morning Pamela…
The author of that post is the family friend, Malcolm, who was on the ITV news feature and is dealing with the media etc. on their behalf, (understandably).
Perhaps a CM journalist or someone could contact him to clarify the EXACT layout of the email senders address,- as previously noted that is a very important detail as to who actually sent it.
Hi Deesider,
I’d already seen it, but after your timely reminder, I’ve been back to see whether its been altered/edited in the light of any possible new information.
IMHO, there’s no way for anybody to tell whether:
The post is Malcolm’s own words
Words that Malcolm thinks he remembers from a phone chat
Words that Malcolm got from his mate
Words that Malcolm copied and pasted from an email that he genuinely received, but what original authorship?
Genuinely from Matthews
There are so many possible variables, that it wouldn’t be fair on anybody ESPECIALLY Paul’s family if I hadn’t removed the content before proper verification.
There are some very good people already working on verifying this, so my decision is that it stays gone until we actually get verification, after which time it might be reinstated.
I’d like to thank posters for their understanding… thanks folks!
eagerbeaver:
I think you are missing the point Del. What Harry is trying to illustrate is that this company SHOULD not be trading in the first place if they can’t even fathom basic dignity and respect issues.
And if I worked there I wouldn’t need putting out of a job. I would walk anyway.
There are some things in life which are far more important than a job. I for one believe Mr Monks posts are bang on the money.
The company will carry on trading regardless of how crap it gets, even if they need to change their name, most customers will not give a fig as to their behaviour.
We’re heading into very dangerous territory indeed if we think it’s now acceptable to use social media to destroy companies based on ‘so and so told me’ and emails with no actual proof they are from whoever we’re told they are. Getting them shut down would serve no purpose and would open a gate we couldn’t close. How long before a company you work for becomes target number one after a misstep?
Unless you’re a member of his family or a personal friend you just need to let this anger go. He’s coming home & Matthews (and many companies) have learnt a very important lesson. The job is done
+1 what Luke says. No reason for a company to go under for this.
However some director responsibility may be needed. Emotions are raw at the moment but the companies response is all ‘we did this we did that’, when in reality it’s easy to see they did F all.
If it can be proven the £5k was indeed offered as hushmoney/bribe/blackmail or however you want to parse it then I’m sure legal options are available, even without considering duty of care.
For now let the family grieve their loss. RIP Paul.
switchlogic:
We’re heading into very dangerous territory indeed if we think it’s now acceptable to use social media to destroy companies based on ‘so and so told me’ and emails with no actual proof they are from whoever we’re told they are.
Thanks Luke, that’s a great piece of advice, the reason for one of the forum rules… and best of all, it’s saved me from some typing.
Here we are Dave, here’s how to get to the email in question:
