'Doing the right thing' – pledge to a code of practice.

Bacon sandwich start for double-diary win returned for 2018: a fellows-only, round table heads of industry preceded the 22^nd National Courier Awards  at the IoD, Pall Mall, London SW1 on Tuesday October 9^th 2018.

‘Doing the right thing', code of practice document nears final draft as IOC has looked outside the sector - at the table with BRC, (British Retail Consortium) and SHIFT, the leading expert in UN guiding principles on business and human rights. IOC reported back to fellows at the IoD event.

Download the draft pledge here  v2.9 PDF

Doing the right thing

Following the latest Taylor issues after the Pimlico tribunal, IOC aligned the code of practice heads of industry to sit in the summer heatwave; ‘it will not wait for autumn.’

The Aug 1^st event was a fellows' full table with guests packed in at the sides. Lunch courtesy of Irwin Mitchell set a tone of interaction and exchange; the IOC sorted pudding in trade show style with Curly Wurly chocolate bars and the debate bag.

A code of practice for the express delivery sector.

The vote delivered Ethical Best Practice joint first concern with Environmental. Health and Safety next, with Employment Status right behind.

During the IOC Taylor review, express and courier operators unanimously asked IOC for a code of conduct and this is on the way.

At the heart of such a code will be a clarification to all parties of the status of employment and an understanding of that status between the parties.

Employment status, PAYE, self-employed and worker status have been at the heart of the Taylor review for the express courier sector, who often engage van drivers in multiple and mixed platforms of employment; cost of van, fuel and maintenance, mixed with choice of routes and hours of delivery placing many drivers in the self-employment category.

IOC clearly established the majority of express operators do not view themselves in the gig economy, having bricks and mortar distribution networks and long-standing business models. Flexibility of working patterns opens opportunities across a wide diversity of driver while urban density issues challenges income value against minimum pay where deliveries are spaced apart in green road environments.

This week GMB union hit the express news with the latest Leeds tribunal reported below. And at the same time the Pimlico plumbers appeal was reported, London partner of Irwin Mitchell has published a review of the Pimlico case, summary below.

Powered two wheeler accidents on the rise, IoC talks with the Transport Minister John Hayes and TfL, alongside the October heads of industry meeting resulted in the first foundations of a code of practice for Express delivery,  An express delivery courier will  be expected to have passed both their CBT and theory test before conducting paid, professional delivery work on a powered two wheeler.

Motorcycle riding standards are key to safety in London, the theory test passed should be a minimum standard before using a powered two wheeler for work.

Presently an individual can complete their CBT,  ride a powered two wheeler and not have to have passed their theory  knowledge of the Highway Code. The IoC code will set theory test passed as a minimum standard in its 2018 code of conduct for express delivery.

A IoC heads of Industry – a room rich and full of operators for express - the three T's Transport, Taylor & Trailblazer with national speakers

DWP, BIS IFA, TfL & TfGM at the IoC Heads of industry fellows round table event. Transport, Taylor & Trailblazer covered all key issues leading to the vision of a sector code of conduct for 2018.

Transport, Taylor & Trailblazer to set the foundations for a Sector code of practice in express and courier for 2020.

A top level line up of govt depts. Is showcased in the draft agenda below. The key briefing in express sector for 2017 at the IoD Pall Mall; do not miss this date, It’s a double diary win to attend the evening's National Courier Awards.

Govt dept. briefings will set the context for round tables to review the foundations for a courier and express sector code of practice for 2020.

Who's Who turn out to face the challenge of what is employment status in the express sector of courier. The Government's Taylor Review has looked at the evolving gig economy, conventional PAYE, self-employed and then worker as a status in the grey area inbetween. Where does Express fit ?

STOP PRESS: 11:15am Tuesday 11 July 2017 - Taylor Review Published

Read the Taylor Review Final Report

Express sector's Taylor Review submission is ready for you to read. Click below to view what the sector says about worker status in Express

Read the Taylor Review Submission

Carl Lomas IoC Chair,

Our sector has mixed platforms of employment, operators often have PAYE and self-employed drivers, and some drivers work for more than one company; some drivers may even work in different status for different company. May 2nd Heads of Industry is about the views of the operators. From a recent IoC survey, the round-table and one-to-one interviews, the IoC will submit a response to the Taylor Review.

Professor Tracey Worth leads the round-table questions for the IoC

1. What characteristics do you most value in your final mile drivers ?
2. What do you think are the main reasons why your couriers choose their employment status ?
3. How do you deal with none profitable routes in low density geographics, out of hours ? Lifestyle ?
4. Why have you chosen mixed employment status for your fleet ?
5. How do you deal with an unprofitable job in the wrong direction ?
6. Is there favouritism in allocation of jobs in your driver fleet ?
7. 84% of operators surveyed agree there should be a code of conduct: what employment characteristics would you want to see in that code of conduct ?

Read more about the Taylor Review