Swift the Worst Co

Here's how it works.

Think what you want, say what you want. Everyone else is free to weigh in.

They offer you 'Light duty". You take it.

Three weeks later, you're let go.

You collect NO workmans comp, since you've shown an ability to work. If you're lucky, you may start drawing unemployment. AFTER you've had a hearing....after they denied it the first time.

If Doc says NO WORK....DON'T WORK !!!! Period.

 

Unfortunately people read into the doctors release paperwork what they want to see. I have accidentally let a driver get in a truck because he had a Dr. note saying he can return to duty. After I actually looked at it, it said he can drive etc.. but cant lift over 50 lbs (cant pull yourself into a truck). Some Dr's dont realize what driving entails either. I have also had drivers tell me the Dr. says they cant work, but when I look at the work restrictions, there is no reason they cant do many of the light duty things we have them do. They just dont want to. There are multiple purposes behind light duty. One, the company is still paying a wage, so it gives them a chance to get something from it. Two, most people dont like staying on light duty. It can be repeatative, and tedious at times. They tend to get released as soon as healed up. I think I still have someone under our states old work comp laws out, and that was 4 years ago. He still gets acupuncture every month that we pay for. Thankfully our new system is better for those really hurt, and worse for those trying to milk it (Thats for Texas).

Wes

 

Let's be honest with each other here. The driver can't work because he can't unload the truck, if needed.

I've been driver for a long time. And I can't remember EVER having to pull myself into a truck, after I got out of a cab over. Cab overs are a thing of the past.

My truck has 3 steps, and 2 handles to stabilize myself with. The handles are not monkey bars to be swung from. I don't pull myself into my truck, that's asking for an injury.

 

Actually the true baseline is they have to maintain the hiring standards of the company to be employed. So if you have a workwell that says 50lbs lifting etc.. to get the job, and the dr. puts lifting or weight restrictions, then you cant work. Thus the light duty until healed (unless Dr. puts a limit on all work functions) It would be nice if every driver used just their legs to get into/out of a truck, and the bars as balance only but thats not the case. Getting out of the truck seat, or pulling the 5th wheel requires so many lbs. Unloading freight is also part of the job, but its the whole ability to do the job within the restrictions thats looked at.

 

Wes,

you bring up a lot of valid points including the one where most drivers do not seem to think that unloading is not a duty. When I start driving, I will be more than happy to unload the load if it saves the company some money. How much do lumpers get for unloading a truck these days?

KH

 

I get in my truck...10-20 times a day. Without swinging from the handles. Climbing a set of stairs is more difficult for me.

It takes less than 25 lbs of pull for the 5th wheel. I have a BUTTON for my tandems. And my product weighs 5000 lbs per roll.

Again...truthfully. ANY light duty position created for ANYONE, is generally eliminated within 3 weeks. That sir, is a fact. And has been reported numerous times in court reviews. While it may not be true in some instances. It is in the majority.

As far as your workwell physical. I can tell you with certianty. My 70 year old neighbor, who couldn't pass it. Can out work any 30 year old driver you may have in your fleet, when it comes to unloading furniture from a trailer.

Just a guess on my part. I doubt you could find 3 volunteers to unload a trailer full of furniture. As most people don't like having to get out of their truck to have their bills signed.

 

Watch what you say, lol it is easy to deliver 24 pallets that has to be broken down into 50 to 60 pallets. And most drivers get paid next to nothing if they do it but the company will pay lumpers 50 to 400 to. Oh and some food warehouses if it takes longer than 2 hours to get it done they will refuse the load. Just some info KH.

 

yes....save the company money, wait till they start screwing you out of your money and see if you still want to help them. Its eager beavers like you that this industry chews up, and throws away.

 

I can't believe I missed your post. Musta been too busy ranting on someone else.

Just an FYI for you. You will save your company money. They pay you by the mile to drive.

They pay you by the hour to unload. While they pay lumpers a flat fee.

They may pay a lumper $300 to break a load down. They will pay you $10 - $20 an hour to break the load down.

Rest assured, where ever you unload at. And if they allow you on their docks. You are NOT going to be allowed to take 10-15 hours to unload and restack those pallets.

You will be doing this by hand, using a regular pallet jack. You will NOT be allowed to use their powered units.

No company will pay you what they do a lumper. End of story.

 

kind of like the sysco foods warehouse in denver. they have signs stating that if you take longer than 2hrs to lump your freight, you will be forced into paying for a lumper. when i went there for the first time, the lumper fee was $350. i had 2500 pieces that weren't on pallets, stacked front to back, top to bottom.