Silly Workplace Prank May Result In Disciplinary Action
Discussion
Had my company car serviced last week and was given one of the works vans to get me from site to site on the day.
These vans are limited to 62mph, are tracked and have video recording of the driver and road at all times.
I noticed the Speedo and Rev counter bounce to max every time I turned on the ignition and thought it would be funny to take a picture of my van "travelling" at 140mph.
I posted the pic on a semi official work WhatsApp group with the caption "Have managed to bypass the van's speed limiter".
A couple of the guys asked me how I did it to which I responded "I downloaded an app on my phone then plugged my phone into the van's USB port and transferred the software".
Someone commented that it wasn't safe to take a pic of a speedo whilst travelling at speed and was told "It's ok I steered with my knees".
Someone challenged to speed claiming it was impossible so I told him the software also "chipped the van's up to 330BHP.
Then, guys who had worked out what I had done started posting pics of their vans maxed out at 140mph and thanking me for sharing software and so it ended.......
......or so I thought.
Regional manager called to say he was aware of the claimed speeds and was very concerned. This concern went right up to director level at head office.
I explained the joke and so it ended...
.....or so I thought.
All the guys who have posted pics of their vans travelling at 140mph have been "invited" to attend meetings with line managers. "These meetings are not disciplinary meetings but meetings to establish the full facts of the matter, facts that may be presented in subsequent disciplinary meetings thereafter".
Are we in trouble or is this the stuff of nonsense?
These vans are limited to 62mph, are tracked and have video recording of the driver and road at all times.
I noticed the Speedo and Rev counter bounce to max every time I turned on the ignition and thought it would be funny to take a picture of my van "travelling" at 140mph.
I posted the pic on a semi official work WhatsApp group with the caption "Have managed to bypass the van's speed limiter".
A couple of the guys asked me how I did it to which I responded "I downloaded an app on my phone then plugged my phone into the van's USB port and transferred the software".
Someone commented that it wasn't safe to take a pic of a speedo whilst travelling at speed and was told "It's ok I steered with my knees".
Someone challenged to speed claiming it was impossible so I told him the software also "chipped the van's up to 330BHP.
Then, guys who had worked out what I had done started posting pics of their vans maxed out at 140mph and thanking me for sharing software and so it ended.......
......or so I thought.
Regional manager called to say he was aware of the claimed speeds and was very concerned. This concern went right up to director level at head office.
I explained the joke and so it ended...
.....or so I thought.
All the guys who have posted pics of their vans travelling at 140mph have been "invited" to attend meetings with line managers. "These meetings are not disciplinary meetings but meetings to establish the full facts of the matter, facts that may be presented in subsequent disciplinary meetings thereafter".
Are we in trouble or is this the stuff of nonsense?
Largechris said:
So the vehicle was stationary?
Suppose it depends if the company thinks there was any genuine encouragement to employees to drive at 140mph, chip the vehicle etc.
The vehicles were stationary.Suppose it depends if the company thinks there was any genuine encouragement to employees to drive at 140mph, chip the vehicle etc.
When u turn the key to the ignition position all the dash lights illuminate and the speedometer and Rev counter flick momentarily to max.
Whilst it seems like, and indeed was, just a joke - put yourselves in their shoes for a moment.
They have been presented with what, on the face of it, is evidence of their drivers not only breaking the law but breaking it to an extent that is likely to be considered to be dangerous driving. What if they *don't* call you all in to establish the facts, and it turns out that actually one of you has been doing this. And crashes (killing a coachload of schoolkids, why not).
"Yes we were told about this but thought it was a joke" isn't going to go down especially well in the subsequent investigation.
So I doubt you are in trouble but I do see why the company feels it has to be seen to be investigating.
They have been presented with what, on the face of it, is evidence of their drivers not only breaking the law but breaking it to an extent that is likely to be considered to be dangerous driving. What if they *don't* call you all in to establish the facts, and it turns out that actually one of you has been doing this. And crashes (killing a coachload of schoolkids, why not).
"Yes we were told about this but thought it was a joke" isn't going to go down especially well in the subsequent investigation.
So I doubt you are in trouble but I do see why the company feels it has to be seen to be investigating.
I don't think you're in serious s
t yet but you could be if you don't treat this the right way. Maybe saying you'd chipped it was going a bit far 
I'd take a video of the full startup sequence on your phone and show it in the meeting so they can understand what you've done.
Got to be so careful with Whatsapp, a few forwards and then it's a Daily Mail bit of clickbait.. "Company X van drivers boast driving at 140mph"
t yet but you could be if you don't treat this the right way. Maybe saying you'd chipped it was going a bit far I'd take a video of the full startup sequence on your phone and show it in the meeting so they can understand what you've done.
Got to be so careful with Whatsapp, a few forwards and then it's a Daily Mail bit of clickbait.. "Company X van drivers boast driving at 140mph"
Edited by essayer on Friday 2nd December 12:13
So the vehicles are tracked, so surely they can establish that they weren't travelling at 140mph, in fact you'll have a time/date stamp from the photo taken which will coincide with the van in question being stationary at the time I assume?
Those are the facts of the matter.
I'm sure they'll probably try and give you a roasting, but it would be foolish to go any further once you have provided the facts and evidence. If they decide to a form of disciplinary action it wouldn't go well for them.
Those are the facts of the matter.
I'm sure they'll probably try and give you a roasting, but it would be foolish to go any further once you have provided the facts and evidence. If they decide to a form of disciplinary action it wouldn't go well for them.
deckster said:
Whilst it seems like, and indeed was, just a joke - put yourselves in their shoes for a moment.
They have been presented with what, on the face of it, is evidence of their drivers not only breaking the law but breaking it to an extent that is likely to be considered to be dangerous driving. What if they *don't* call you all in to establish the facts, and it turns out that actually one of you has been doing this. And crashes (killing a coachload of schoolkids, why not).
"Yes we were told about this but thought it was a joke" isn't going to go down especially well in the subsequent investigation.
So I doubt you are in trouble but I do see why the company feels it has to be seen to be investigating.
100% this. They're just covering themselves.They have been presented with what, on the face of it, is evidence of their drivers not only breaking the law but breaking it to an extent that is likely to be considered to be dangerous driving. What if they *don't* call you all in to establish the facts, and it turns out that actually one of you has been doing this. And crashes (killing a coachload of schoolkids, why not).
"Yes we were told about this but thought it was a joke" isn't going to go down especially well in the subsequent investigation.
So I doubt you are in trouble but I do see why the company feels it has to be seen to be investigating.
Management probably did find it funny, but they also know there may be employees naive enough to not get the joke and actually try it.
It maybe a Humor bypass, but I also dont get why people pull pranks like this. I feel sorry for you OP, you tried to make a few people laugh and it’s gone wrong- but that was foreseeable, especially in a work whatsapp group.
What you need now is evidence- evidence that the speedo bounces, the date / time of the photo from your phone, so you can put that up against the evidence of the van, which if it’s as you’ve described, should show the vehicle was indeed stationary.
If there is also external cctv of the vehicle being stationary, that will help.
With a clear explanation and evidence, hopefully the managers will see your side. I would also do all of this, as part of the discussion; get out first, get out ahead.
Good luck.
What you need now is evidence- evidence that the speedo bounces, the date / time of the photo from your phone, so you can put that up against the evidence of the van, which if it’s as you’ve described, should show the vehicle was indeed stationary.
If there is also external cctv of the vehicle being stationary, that will help.
With a clear explanation and evidence, hopefully the managers will see your side. I would also do all of this, as part of the discussion; get out first, get out ahead.
Good luck.
I would think that the root of it is just a compliance thing - They have heard about pictures of vans at high speed and want to formally investigate it.
I'd be highly surprised if, upon being presented with your explanation and reviewing the facts, it results in any disciplinary action.
If anything, you may just get a "stop being a tit on company time" response.
Unless you work for complete ogres, that is.
ETA - the pics haven't gone further than the Whatsapp group........right?
I'd be highly surprised if, upon being presented with your explanation and reviewing the facts, it results in any disciplinary action.
If anything, you may just get a "stop being a tit on company time" response.
Unless you work for complete ogres, that is.
ETA - the pics haven't gone further than the Whatsapp group........right?
deckster said:
Whilst it seems like, and indeed was, just a joke - put yourselves in their shoes for a moment.
They have been presented with what, on the face of it, is evidence of their drivers not only breaking the law but breaking it to an extent that is likely to be considered to be dangerous driving. What if they *don't* call you all in to establish the facts, and it turns out that actually one of you has been doing this. And crashes (killing a coachload of schoolkids, why not).
"Yes we were told about this but thought it was a joke" isn't going to go down especially well in the subsequent investigation.
So I doubt you are in trouble but I do see why the company feels it has to be seen to be investigating.
They have been presented with what, on the face of it, is evidence of their drivers not only breaking the law but breaking it to an extent that is likely to be considered to be dangerous driving. What if they *don't* call you all in to establish the facts, and it turns out that actually one of you has been doing this. And crashes (killing a coachload of schoolkids, why not).
"Yes we were told about this but thought it was a joke" isn't going to go down especially well in the subsequent investigation.
So I doubt you are in trouble but I do see why the company feels it has to be seen to be investigating.
The speedos read 140mph! It's a van with probably no more than 140hp.
archie456 said:
JQ said:
100% this. They're just covering themselves.
Management probably did find it funny, but they also know there may be employees naive enough to not get the joke and actually try it.
Er, what are they going to try?Management probably did find it funny, but they also know there may be employees naive enough to not get the joke and actually try it.
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