Turned down for a job because we're female couriers

Wow! For the first time ever, been turned down for a job simply because we're female couriers. The guy thinks we couldn't handle the load... Oh boy, you want to see the loads that we get that are worse than this and we can handle them just fine.

Never underestimate the strength and will of a woman!

That's just wrong, I know some women that could put me to shame when heavy lifting

What a bloody cheek, what do they expect women to do, stop at home and cook and hoover all day, women have conquered mount everest, sailed round the world, given birth, run marathons, bet they wouldn't turn you down if they needed some cpr, i'm lost for words what a nerve, sorry to hear that, we are not all like that.

Yeh well some of these steel posts can weigh up to 50 kilos each, 20 of them handball. Over health and safety guidelines for a woman. AND I did not turn Beeline down, I just said I thought the weight could be a problem but I would consider the bid.

3D Courier Services said:

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Yeh well some of these steel posts can weigh up to 50 kilos each, 20 of them handball. Over health and safety guidelines for a woman. AND I did not turn Beeline down, I just said I thought the weight could be a problem but I would consider the bid.

Health and safety guidelines for a woman? Try telling that to my wife as she single handedly arrests a knife wielding 19 stone drug dealer!

Kop out I think.

I think discrimination comes into context... Like all replies, I know a few women that will put men to shame.. Lets not forget the ladys (whom I dont know) who protected Lee Rigby, who died through 2 idiots on the rampage.

3D Courier Services said:

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Yeh well some of these steel posts can weigh up to 50 kilos each, 20 of them handball. Over health and safety guidelines for a woman. AND I did not turn Beeline down, I just said I thought the weight could be a problem but I would consider the bid.

If thats the case, 20 posts weighing 50 kilo's = 1000kg, why are you asking for a small van?

Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:

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3D Courier Services said:

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Yeh well some of these steel posts can weigh up to 50 kilos each, 20 of them handball. Over health and safety guidelines for a woman. AND I did not turn Beeline down, I just said I thought the weight could be a problem but I would consider the bid.

If thats the case, 20 posts weighing 50 kilo's = 1000kg, why are you asking for a small van?

Cuz it says "some of these posts" not all! Total load was 700kgs

To be honest it's a tricky one when you are just trying to keep your customer happy. From time to time isn't it fair to admit that generally speaking there are some difference between the sexes?

Similarly, we don't tend to use older drivers (men or women) for some of our work because it requires fit and healthy drivers to carry fairly large items in to buildings at a decent pace. Our customer gives us multi-drop work and they are quick to complain if jobs take too long because it has a knock-on effect.

3D Courier Services said:

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Yeh well some of these steel posts can weigh up to 50 kilos each, 20 of them handball. Over health and safety guidelines for a woman. AND I did not turn Beeline down, I just said I thought the weight could be a problem but I would consider the bid.

Can't see a problem, Seems natural thing to mention it might be a problem for a female, due to the weight.

It surely up to them to counteract by saying 'we are used to lifting heavy goods so not a problem'

Sometimes mountains are made out of molehills ffs

3D Courier Services said:

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Gas Motorcycle Couriers said:

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3D Courier Services said:

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Yeh well some of these steel posts can weigh up to 50 kilos each, 20 of them handball. Over health and safety guidelines for a woman. AND I did not turn Beeline down, I just said I thought the weight could be a problem but I would consider the bid.

If thats the case, 20 posts weighing 50 kilo's = 1000kg, why are you asking for a small van?

Cuz it says "some of these posts" not all! Total load was 700kgs

700 is still overweight for some small vans? To be safe if your on about H+S that load wants to be for a midi van

It clearly states in the comments box that a bipper type van is not suitable! A belingo or partner is fine. Trouble is people do not bother to read the job details before bidding, or commenting.

3D Courier Services said:

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It clearly states in the comments box that a bipper type van is not suitable! A belingo or partner is fine. Trouble is people do not bother to read the job details before bidding, or commenting.

Your right... but on shed theres no comment stating the obvious, and as for weight my 05 berlingo has 610kg capacity, I think newer berlingo's are 800 though but not sure, anyway I was stating the obvious about weights as its a grey area for some, and we all know the pit falls with the law regarding weights.

New berlingos and partners are 625 and 850 kg most are 625, most small vans are arround the the 600 to 750 kg mark, there isa connect at about 895 kg and a new shape doblo about 1000 its a longer wheelbase jobby, but the last 2 vans are very rare has 60 -70 plm wouldn't really cover there expense, once you have taken into consideration the wieght of the goods, the drivers wieght and anything else you are hard pushed to find a small van capable, swb van me thinks

I think Steves got a point they could be to heavy for a woman. I know ive done that job and i'm 66. Coming on 40. But women know best.

I wouldn't have wanted this job, because I'm a lazy sod :-).

Scott Reid said:

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I wouldn't have wanted this job, because I'm a lazy sod :-).

And you admit that on a public forum!

AJM sameday Couriers said:

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New berlingos and partners are 625 and 850 kg most are 625, most small vans are arround the the 600 to 750 kg mark, there isa connect at about 895 kg and a new shape doblo about 1000 its a longer wheelbase jobby, but the last 2 vans are very rare has 60 -70 plm wouldn't really cover there expense, once you have taken into consideration the wieght of the goods, the drivers wieght and anything else you are hard pushed to find a small van capable, swb van me thinks

Those figures are manufacturers guidelines fill the tank add plyling plus the driver and get on the weighbridge

Most small vans are legally good for around 450 kg

PB Express said:

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AJM sameday Couriers said:

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New berlingos and partners are 625 and 850 kg most are 625, most small vans are arround the the 600 to 750 kg mark, there isa connect at about 895 kg and a new shape doblo about 1000 its a longer wheelbase jobby, but the last 2 vans are very rare has 60 -70 plm wouldn't really cover there expense, once you have taken into consideration the wieght of the goods, the drivers wieght and anything else you are hard pushed to find a small van capable, swb van me thinks

Those figures are manufacturers guidelines fill the tank add plyling plus the driver and get on the weighbridge

Most small vans are legally good for around 450 kg

Paul I agree with you, try telling that to somebody who wants something moving in a small van, when really it should be a larger one, those figures above are good selling points for the Manufactures.

So was the bottom line it might actually have been close to being too heavy for the van?

MK Bikes trading as Courier Guru said:

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So was the bottom line it might actually have been close to being too heavy for the van?

No Tony the original post says they where turned down because they where women.

RAPID LIGHT TRANSPORT LTD. said:

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Scott Reid said:

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I wouldn't have wanted this job, because I'm a lazy sod :-).

And you admit that on a public forum!

Take note of the smiley at the end of my comment! Realise please that it was a joke!

AJM sameday Couriers said:

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PB Express said:

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AJM sameday Couriers said:

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New berlingos and partners are 625 and 850 kg most are 625, most small vans are arround the the 600 to 750 kg mark, there isa connect at about 895 kg and a new shape doblo about 1000 its a longer wheelbase jobby, but the last 2 vans are very rare has 60 -70 plm wouldn't really cover there expense, once you have taken into consideration the wieght of the goods, the drivers wieght and anything else you are hard pushed to find a small van capable, swb van me thinks

Those figures are manufacturers guidelines fill the tank add plyling plus the driver and get on the weighbridge

Most small vans are legally good for around 450 kg

Paul I agree with you, try telling that to somebody who wants something moving in a small van, when really it should be a larger one, those figures above are good selling points for the Manufactures.

+1 to that.

We were asked to take a 500Kg load which according to our owner's manual the 2012 Caddy is capable of, but when the guys loaded it on the suspension went so low we had to refuse it.

Since then we always specify a max of 400Kg.

However, this thread isn't about the weight that a van can take.

It's about how much weight a woman can take? (According to both the original poster, and the courier company concerned).

Discuss! :-)

PS: For the purpose of avoiding offence to anyone, please note the smiley (which indicates a jovial, light hearted comment) at the end of the above opinion. Which may or may not be correct depending on your point of view, race, creed, sex, sexuality, planet of origin etc, blah blah, blah, you get the point if you're so intelligent you can fill in your own exclusion clause to prevent yourself being offended by this post.

Scott.

And PS, is in no way legally binding! (this line is serious, because there is no smiley at the end).

Not that I agree with it but if its states in health and safety about carrying guide lines then surely a vendor must comply simpleS

Interesting viewpoints and discussion - I've looked on the Health and Safety Executive website and it clearly states:

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) set no specific requirements such as weight limits.

The ergonomic approach shows clearly that such requirements are based on too simple a view of the problem and may lead to incorrect conclusions. Instead, an ergonomic assessment based on a range of relevant factors is used to determine the risk of injury and point the way to remedial action.

Further down, it states that when a more detailed assessment is necessary it should follow the broad structure and lists a number of questions in five categories:

1. the task; 1. the load; 2. the working environment; 3. individual capability; 4. and other factors, for example use of protective clothing.

So, in summary, there are really no weight limits for women and work should be given in good faith and trust when a female courier company says that they can do the work based on their individual capability.

I wouldnt put 700kg in a small van! Your asking to be pulled by the boys at vosa, it will drive like a sack of spuds and you will have no chance of stopping if you ever had to do an emergency stop. On the subject of the lifting weights scenario with health and safety theres only about 3kg difference in what a man is allowed to lift to what a women is allowed to lift but none of that comes into it if your a self employed driver its down to personal discretion and if the lady was more than happy to carry said items then let her crack on. Nobody should be judged by sex, weight, colour, size or gender

Scott Reid said:

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AJM sameday Couriers said:

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PB Express said:

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AJM sameday Couriers said:

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New berlingos and partners are 625 and 850 kg most are 625, most small vans are arround the the 600 to 750 kg mark, there isa connect at about 895 kg and a new shape doblo about 1000 its a longer wheelbase jobby, but the last 2 vans are very rare has 60 -70 plm wouldn't really cover there expense, once you have taken into consideration the wieght of the goods, the drivers wieght and anything else you are hard pushed to find a small van capable, swb van me thinks

Those figures are manufacturers guidelines fill the tank add plyling plus the driver and get on the weighbridge

Most small vans are legally good for around 450 kg

Paul I agree with you, try telling that to somebody who wants something moving in a small van, when really it should be a larger one, those figures above are good selling points for the Manufactures.

+1 to that.

We were asked to take a 500Kg load which according to our owner's manual the 2012 Caddy is capable of, but when the guys loaded it on the suspension went so low we had to refuse it.

Since then we always specify a max of 400Kg.

Have had 500 kg (estimate) loads which actually weighed in at over 1 tonne.

Anything to do with railway rolling stock will ALWAYS weigh about 3 times the estimate.

I was surprised to find that a Lwb Vivaro can carry as much (or more) weight than a lwb Iveco Daily or a xlwb Sprinter

What weight can a 8 stone man lift? What weight can a 13 stone woman lift?

I bet the woman can pick the man up but not vice versa!

Unless in a nightclub obviously.

East-Lancs Sameday Couriers Ltd said:

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That's just wrong, I know some women that could put me to shame when heavy lifting

I was told thats because your a BIG sissy

Beeline Couriers said:

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Interesting viewpoints and discussion - I've looked on the Health and Safety Executive website and it clearly states:

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) set no specific requirements such as weight limits.

The ergonomic approach shows clearly that such requirements are based on too simple a view of the problem and may lead to incorrect conclusions. Instead, an ergonomic assessment based on a range of relevant factors is used to determine the risk of injury and point the way to remedial action.

Further down, it states that when a more detailed assessment is necessary it should follow the broad structure and lists a number of questions in five categories:

1. the task; 1. the load; 2. the working environment; 3. individual capability; 4. and other factors, for example use of protective clothing.

So, in summary, there are really no weight limits for women and work should be given in good faith and trust when a female courier company says that they can do the work based on their individual capability.

There are no Health and Safety rules specifically for women, what if you get a male driver who is 6 stone wet through as opposed to a female driver who is 13 stone and built like a brick shithouse. Whoever refused the job on the grounds of sex has actually broken the law and could be prosecuted for sex discrimination if the person so chose to complain!

It is often about how you handle a "heavy" item which makes the difference.

There should be no need to lift more than 50% of an item at once - Make effective use of a "sack" barrow and only lift one end at a time.

Your right... but on shed theres no comment stating the obvious, and as for weight my 05 berlingo has 610kg capacity, I think newer berlingo's are 800 though but not sure, anyway I was stating the obvious about weights as its a grey area for some, and we all know the pit falls with the law regarding weights. My PUG is similar gaz and 800kg is correct. I aint tested it with that weight yet.

I never argue with a women cos my 11 yr old neice can beat me.

S.E.X.I. said:

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East-Lancs Sameday Couriers Ltd said:

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That's just wrong, I know some women that could put me to shame when heavy lifting

I was told thats because your a BIG sissy

Thanks kev, tell the world why don't you lol