Wow, I guess I really an not surprised that there are so many ways to get around (justify) what is "right". We had this subject come up early in the year in my center. I suspect there are plenty of drivers in my center doing one if not all of the "methods" listed on these previous pages.
I hate to admit it, however, a few of us call the 1-800 number whenever there is an integrity issue in the center. Some here have said the number is a joke, but in my center the action is always swift and the results are always on the money (so far, knock on something).
If a damaged package (lets say broken glass) is loaded on my car, and I don't notice until I get to the stop (literally in front of the stop), I sheet the package as "non-delivery"-"other"-"other" and type in "damaged".
In my center, we were instructed not to ever use the "other"-"other" function but after that 1-800 call nothing was ever said about that again.
The only reason we do this is because up until the 1-800 call, there used to be a a selection in the "other non-delivery" menu for "damaged". If you recall, it was letter "c". Now, letter "c" is blank.
On the other side, if I make it to the door with a package that the customer suspects is damaged, I scan it, ask the customer if they wish to accept it or refuse it. If they refuse the package, I sheet it as "refused" and then select "damaged".
After either of these scenarios, I send a message to the center with the tracking number and the disposition of the package "damaged". Man they hate that. However, not a single person has ever been disciplined in my center for following this method.