I was reading a "notice of retirement" recently written by a railroader who had started his career in 1979 and retired just this year. He wrote at length about his career, and most of it was upbeat and positive..He did mention that he'd accumulated 100 demerit points throughout his career... his comments suggested he wasn't too upset about it.. i.e stuff happens and he did the best he could.
How does the demerit point system work? You get points for violations.. how many points is too many.?. do the points ever go away?.. etc.
Discipline policies and how they area calculated and/or enforced are as many and varied as there are companies that use them - makes no difference if the company is in the railroad business or the insurance business. Each company tries to make the policy fit the company's business purpose.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Never heard of demerit points outside of getting them for a moving violation. Nothing like that that I'm aware of in trucking although I guess the government takes care of that.. too many points for speeding etc and you're gone for insurance and safety reasons. Not sure if the construction or mining industries apply demerit points to operators of heavy equipment..In a way its not a bad idea as it quantifies each individual's ability to work safely and within the rules..
You've never heard of "Brownies?" The Brown System of Discipline. You'ld be issued so many demerits, or brownies, for various infractions. Once you reached a certain number, you were terminated. They could be worked off, keeping your record clean, over time.
That's not to say the person referenced in the original post was subject to the original Brown System. There have been other systems using demerits, some where you could get merit marks for going above and beyond, etc.
I found in a self-published booklet (by former CB&Q/BN railroader years ago) a page that was part of a Rock Island trainmen's record. The trainmen's name is unknown.
"Hired out as a freight brakeman Jan 27, 1892.
July 13, 1897-Given 5 demerits for not being in position to prevent damage while switching at Iowa City July 17th, resulting in knocking part of platform down.
Dec 10, 1897-Given 10 merit marks for meritorious work in putting out fire in car loades with cattle at Leighton on train No.90 Nov. 2nd under difficult circumstances.
Promoted to freight conductor June 9. 1898.
Dec. 17, 1898-given 20 merit marks for 12 months perfect service.
July 17, 1899-given 10 demerit marks for violation of rule 117 at West Liberty resulting in switch being left open.
July 17, 1900-given 20 merit marks fo 12 months perfect service.
July 26, 1901-given 10 demerit marks for blocking E4th street Des Moines causing delay to street cars.
Nov. 10, 1901-given 10 demerit marks for violation of rule 117 at West Liberty Sept 5th, 1901 resulting in switch being left open.
April 29, 1902-given 10 demerit marks for failure to secure crossing gate West Liberty resulting in gate being broken by BCR&N train No.1 Feb 26th.
Dec 29, 1903-given 20 merit marks for 12 months perfect service.
Dec 1903-given 10 demerit marks for not discovering hot box resulting in journal being burned off.
Sept. 27, 1906-given 15 demerit marks for taking car of hogs through to Silvis on 1st 90 sept 17th when same was billed to Agar Packing Co. of Des Moines.
Jan 23, 1908-given 10 demerit marks for responsiblity in train 2nd90 engine 1497 Jan 8th running through switch in Cedar Rapids yard."
A note about the switches being left open. At that time, a conductor was held responsible for switches used by himself or his brakemen. Those switches could've been left open by one of his brakemen, but he was still responsible and received demerits for it. I note the incident that resulted in the most demerits was for mishandling a carload of livestock.
Jeff
Now that you mention it, Brownie points I've heard of..
Great idea to provide merit points too. I've always found that positive reinforcement works better than any punitive system does. Most people want to do a good job and should be publicly recognized when they go above and beyond. Conversely demerits should be applied sparely as they tend to be contentious and tend to demoralize.
jeffhergertYou've never heard of "Brownies?" The Brown System of Discipline. You'ld be issued so many demerits, or brownies, for various infractions. Once you reached a certain number, you were terminated. They could be worked off, keeping your record clean, over time.
http://fallbrookrailway.com/g_r_brown.html
I don't recall where I saw the original, but I printed in my little letterpress shop some very nice "Attaboy" certificates - lithographed background, etc.
Acquiring 1,400 Attaboys permitted one to be a leader of men, held up as a good example, etc, etc.
In the fine print was the caveat that one "AwSh!t" would wipe the slate clean and you had to start all over...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
tree68In the fine print was the caveat that one "AwSh!t" would wipe the slate clean and you had to start all over...
A fact known by every husband.
Once you have accumulated 60 demerits you are fired automatically. Sometimes certain individuals will be given just enough points to bring them up to 55 or 59, as sort of a last-chance warning.
CN's policy is to remove 20 demerits from an employee's record after 12 months of continuous discipline-free service.
Today demerits are normally issued in increments of at least 15 or 20, I have never seen only 5 issued.
In most cases demerits are issued for more minor offences, like a yard derailment or running through a switch. Major offences rate 40 or 50 demerits or a long suspension, if not being fired outright.
In my experience Merit points are no longer given out (any good conduct is considered "just doing your job"), but I do know of at least once instance long ago where a employee received both Merits and Demerits for the same incident.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.