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Original poster

I'm not allowed to park at work anymore!

83 replies

Carrie370 · 21/06/2012 17:49

I just wrote a huge long thread which has disappeared ... I'll summarise, as I just can't type it all out again!

The hospital where I work has just changed its car parking policy because it has sold off so much parking land, it can't accommodate all the cars any more. Although I provide emergency on call cover, this is the same day each week, so I only qualify for one day permits, not the general permit I have had (until now) for the last 16 years.

So ... my application has been refused. I am going to appeal, because I cannot, as has been suggested, take the park and ride to work - I have 2 primary school age children, I'm a single parent, and I cannot reconcile my childcare responsibilities with fulfilling my contract (as I have successfully managed for the last 10 years)

I have spent hours on the Internet, trying to find legislation to back up my appeal, but nothing under any discrimination/equality and diversity/family rights/employment law seems to come anywhere near fitting my circumstances. Anyone out there with ideas?!

OP posts:

EssentialFattyAcid · 23/06/2012 10:14

expect that should do the trick! Let us know!

goodygumdrops · 23/06/2012 17:08

Is this in Winchester by any chance?

I feel for you too. If it is Winchester, I agree parking is impossible in the surrounding areas. You really need an on site permit.

I don't have any suggestions unfortunately but hope you get somewhere with this.

Original poster

Carrie370 · 23/06/2012 19:02

It is indeed Winchester Goodygumdrops. Small world!

OP posts:

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 23/06/2012 19:12

I was wondering if it was Winchester too, I had my DCs there and various outpatients appts since, it's a nightmare parking wise, I always hope anything I need is going to be in Basingstoke now just because of the travel, you have to allow ages extra for an appt in Winchester by comparison (I live equidistant between the two). I hope you get something sorted OP.

holidaysarenice · 29/06/2012 20:53

TBH I think you are being unreasonable. As far as I read you are not the only one losing ur pass, any 9 to 5 staff will lose theirs? Only those working shifts eg late night will get a pass, as will you on late nights.

Your car is not a requirement of ur role but u need it to get u there. If every member of staff claimed the same as you, there wud be an outcry.

Your choices are, pay for parking like everyone else or find another way to get there.

Yes its annoying to rearrange your kids in the morning but undoubtedly this will happen as they move schools etc

VivaLeBeaver · 29/06/2012 20:55

But the OP is happy to pay for parking, however she isn't allowed to park at all. Not a case of paying or not paying.

It's crap, really is. You probably wouldn't have accepted the job if you'd known the issue.

VivaLeBeaver · 29/06/2012 20:56

Sorry, that wasn't clear. I know you've been there for some time and this is a new issue. But if years ago when you'd accepted the post they'd told you this you'd probably have looked elsewhere.

princelypurpleparrot · 29/06/2012 21:23

Good luck in your fight OP. I work for the NHS too and I know things are becoming harder and harder because of budget cuts. I am required to use my car for work so am given a permit (Selks I can;t believe you have to pay for your own, that's just not acceptable). But, I got a parking ticket a few years ago after being given an incorrect permit and the trust would not reimburse me for it even though it was their mistake. I was furious but had to give up the fight in the end as I got nowhere.

I'm going to be the pessimistic one here but I don't think they;ll give in as then they'll set a precedent for everyone else asking for a permit too (you're probably not the only one with this issue). So they will then most likely lose you as an experienced consultant. Which is ridiculous, but they won't be able to see the longer-term picture.

EdithWeston · 29/06/2012 21:43

It's a bit like school place allocations, isn't it? The hassle factor of you domestic life, including how you get people to school and work on time, isn't one of the criteria.

Are you able to establish what criteria were used, and were they applied correctly to you? Do they have any spare capacity (for if taking a place without a permit is simply going to leave someone, possibly just as important and with equally complex domestic factors, driving round the carpark unable to find a space, that's not a solution and could whip up ill-feeling).

Like school appeals, is the way ahead to show that the criteria are wrong?

StealthPolarBear · 29/06/2012 21:54

Op that is Crap you re effectively getting a pay cut and less favourable conditions. I worked for a year where parking was a nightmare and it was so hard fitting in dropping kids off but getting to work in time to get a space (by 7.45 you had pretty much no chance). This sounds worse. I hope you win. Or is a job somewhere else feasible?

RandomMess · 29/06/2012 21:57

I hope they listen to reason. I always find it amazing that they don't think long term and set up a decent park and ride service for staff and patients alike.

VivaLeBeaver · 29/06/2012 21:57

I have to pay £15 a month for a permit (nhs).

Couldn't find a space the other day so dumped it in a corner of the carpark, not obstructing anyone and have got a £60 ticket. I've ripped it up, it's not enforceable and I'm ot paying it.

If I were the op I'd just park without a permit and bin all the tickets I get.

princelypurpleparrot · 29/06/2012 23:20

Actually I've just remembered I turned a job down a few years ago partly for this reason. I would have been required to use my car to visit clients (was a social services role). However, the service was moving to a swanky new building where on site parking would have cost me £500 a year.

I could have parked in the nearest residential area and walked. But this involved parking on streets notorious for car crime, and having to walk over a bridge over a dual carriageway to get to the office.

The thought of doing that at 5.30 in winter was enough to make me think that the job was not for me.

thenightsky · 29/06/2012 23:25

Viva I think you work where I work (LCH?) We've got a few consultants given tickets for parking in our staff car park without that all-essential disc in the window. We are all waiting to see wht happens to them.

VivaLeBeaver · 29/06/2012 23:33

Yes, same place.

They can't enforce the tickets. I'm spreading the word to everyone that gets one not to pay.

I know a dr who parked in a restricted area before the signs went up to say don't park here. He was in a proper parking space. With permit. Got a ticket, appealed and got a very rude letter back telling him to shut up and pay the fine!

thenightsky · 01/07/2012 23:01

Seriously? Not enforceable? Interesting.

I've been pondering on how closely them harsh looking parking blokes actually study the little disc things. I've not cut mine out and attached all fancy like in a holder. Mine is just folded up on the page it came on and shoved on the dashboard.

I secretly plan to have a go at scanning it and producing many.

FiftyShadesofViper · 01/07/2012 23:21

One of the problems is that it is now deemed politically correct to have a ridiculously small number of parking spaces to "encourage" people not to use their cars.

I work in a newly built NHS centre (not a hospital) and there are not enough spaces for staff, let alone patients. They have just closed one of the car parks, reducing spaces even further and are moving more departments in soon.

They don't seem to realise that many people, like the OP, do not just go straight to work and back but often visit patients, drop off or collect children, help elderly parents, etc on the way.

VivaLeBeaver · 01/07/2012 23:22

Yes, dh has already said about scanning them. I'm considering it, but then I suppose I'd need o tell facilities I'm no longer using a car and ask them to stop taking the money out my wages.

There's loads of info on the money saving expert website saying the tickets aren't enforceable. I've ripped my ticket up. I'm going to ignore all letters from them.

thenightsky · 01/07/2012 23:30

Viva... I was gonna use me scans for mates who aren't allowed to have discs but still have swipes that lift the barriers.

Have you reclaimed the £5 back from the previous blue pass?

slacklucy · 01/07/2012 23:31

i totally get your issue. I have a finely timed balance/routine in the morning. I fi suddenly had to park elsewhere and add additional travel time in to my mornign it would mean I couldnt drop the kids at school & would have to pay a childminder to take them to school.
Complete PITA when you've worked hard at setting up work/home schedule to suit.
Its not about the money.

VivaLeBeaver · 01/07/2012 23:42

Why aren't some people allowed discs?

I think the £5 refund is coming in next months pay slip.

thenightsky · 01/07/2012 23:46

some people in our trust (LPfT) are not allowed discs coz PHC isn't their base. This is, in my opinion, stupid. We are a community mental health trust and our staff have to come and go all day. They have to drive between Lincoln, Sleaford, Boston, Grantham, Spalding etc. But coz they officially do not have PHC as as base they don't get a disc and have to pay £1 for a day pass.

VivaLeBeaver · 01/07/2012 23:50

So if I had to o to Boston, would I need to buy a pass or £1?

I sometimes have to and am worried about what to do.

VivaLeBeaver · 01/07/2012 23:50

For £1, not or.

thenightsky · 01/07/2012 23:56

Viva... if you've got the disc I understand you can park at all hospitals (Boston Pilgrim etc).

The people in our Trust who don't get a disc are the CPNs who are working out of the old SGH site, United House on outer circle, the drug/alcohol team whose base is down in town, CAMHs staff from down the high street etc.

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