Individual Sorting Standards

[grubberkick]

I work in a Delivery Office and wanted to confirm what I believe to be the sorting test standards..

On the sorting frame... 31 items in a minute with no accuracy check, is this known as a P20.

And on prep, 25 items in a minute with no accuracy check, also in to an empty frame..

Is this correct ?

Many thanks

[gb93]

I believe they are the only agreed prep rate check tests.

[guvenor]

25 is not agreed

[AlbertoGranado]

25 is not agreed

The nice managers at royal mail have told us, they accept 22 to take into account fatigue.
Whats the procedure for someone that has fallen bellow, what our dom claims to be the standard of 22.5? He is facing disciplinary action, but i have read on the intranet that the standards should not be used to discipline "difficult" staff, can you shed any light on this??

[fishtank]

Your IPS 1 minute prep test depends on the no of boxes


DATA SHEET FOR COMPILING WORK AREA NOTICES

Activity.........Equipment Check Rate
Letters
Number per minute
48 box.....34
56 box.....31
63 box.....35
64 box.....31

Packet Sorting...DBF...18

Flat Sorting
48 box Impact....28
56 Box Impact....27
64 Box Impact....26

Flats.......Handstamp..20
Packets...Handstamp..16
Preparation..RM 2000..25 letters
48 box letter............34 letters
Wing Prep...............25 letters
West Bradford..........25 letters



NATIONAL AGREEMENT
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS


The following Framework Agreement has been reached between Royal Mail Service Delivery and the Communication Workers’ Union in respect of the introduction of Individual Performance Standards.


1. Background

Contained within the Joint Statement agreed in respect of the Standards of Conduct and Attendance and within the PBS Agreement, was a commitment by both parties that standards needed to be developed, understood and communicated to all employees.

To facilitate the introduction of the above, individual performance standards were developed, using National Databank values and a jointly-agreed process was trialled in twenty pilot offices.

The Pilot activity confirmed that:

• providing the agreed joint approach is taken, a one minute check of an individual’s performance can demonstrate to employees the standard expected in each work area (over a one minute period) and can serve to identify those employees who may need additional training and support to reach and sustain the required standard.

• providing the standards set take into account local circumstances (i.e. by confirming that the National Databank standards are applicable for local use), they were acceptable as a reasonable measure to ensure the above.

• all employees were able to reach the required standards, providing they were given the appropriate level of training and support.

• although both management and employees agree close supervision of fully trained employees can inhibit rather than enhance achievement of performance levels, there was a reluctance in many areas to actively promote this change of approach in the workplace, which needs to be addressed.

• it was counterproductive and contrary to the aims of the initiative to use individual performance standards or one minute spot checks as a disciplinary tool.

Following full implementation, when all employees and managers are fully aware of the required performance standards, it is accepted by both parties that the use of the formal one-minute checks to evaluate a fully-trained individual’s performance, would not be appropriate. The only exception to this might be when an individual’s capability to meet the standard is brought into question due to the length of time they may have been away from the task they are due to perform e. g. the individual has been performing other duties for a year and the use of a one-minute check may indicate to the manager that they may require support or refresher training.

[guvenor]

heard about 22.5 dont know if this is agreed what should be used for iwt
can union not share info with its members on the most important part of our work prep...
a few weeks ago we heard it was 12 then 14 etc etc how come it seems to be going up
cwu whats the prep rate please iwt or not and you can shove a capacity plan right up geo route or no route

[guvenor]

it may be counter productive but mgmt in our do simply multiply 22.5 or 25 items per min over time spent at frame and tell you how much should be prepped . then count your mail letters flats et all and tell you how short you are and going too slow.
and now they pull this barometer test on you
but i suppose this is the new approach agreed to work together
its still all harrasment bullying lying at our do and despite numerous grievances in swept under the carpet
sound familiar anyone

[fishtank]

heard about 22.5 dont know if this is agreed what should be used for iwt
can union not share info with its members on the most important part of our work prep...
a few weeks ago we heard it was 12 then 14 etc etc how come it seems to be going up
cwu whats the prep rate please iwt or not and you can shove a capacity plan right up geo route or no route

The figure of 22.5 or 25 is a simple count of how many letters you can put in your frame in 1 minute.
The figure of between 12 and 14 contains all the tasks between putting that first letter in and tying up your last bundle.
It changes depending on the mix of sequenced,manual and flats plus any local issues like distance to the inward etc.

[AlbertoGranado]

one of the managers in our office counted the ,mail of a colleague, he claimed that there was slightly more than 700 items and it should take less than 35 minutes to sort, he then said that he GUESSED how many packets and news he had in his drop bag. The formal interview has been done and my friend has been told that the same manager will deicde wether to issue a formal warning or not.

[AlbertoGranado]

heard about 22.5 dont know if this is agreed what should be used for iwt
can union not share info with its members on the most important part of our work prep...
a few weeks ago we heard it was 12 then 14 etc etc how come it seems to be going up
cwu whats the prep rate please iwt or not and you can shove a capacity plan right up geo route or no route

The figure of 22.5 or 25 is a simple count of how many letters you can put in your frame in 1 minute.
The figure of between 12 and 14 contains all the tasks between putting that first letter in and tying up your last bundle.
It changes depending on the mix of sequenced,manual and flats plus any local issues like distance to the inward etc.

You should try talking to the managers in our office, these figures are cast in stone and are leading to long term posties being disciplined for suddenly not being up to the task

[guvenor]

so there is NO test for sorting over full prep
they can still only use 1 min test then is that still standing
and if so why is the union allowing full prep test on people who do not wish to go over on ot and have manuall counts of prep mail in frame
its pure intimidation

[guvenor]

some people do not know or do not wish to know what pressures are being placed on members in do,s
this needs sorted and now

[AlbertoGranado]

Guv, added to that, it was on tuesday and the day after a local holiday in glasgow, we were swamped!!! union representaion in our office is nothing short of a joke!!

[fishtank]

so there is NO test for sorting over full prep
they can still only use 1 min test then is that still standing
and if so why is the union allowing full prep test on people who do not wish to go over on ot and have manuall counts of prep mail in frame
its pure intimidation

You right there is no agreed test for full prep....at the moment.
The IWT figures are NOT an individual performance standard.

[Tamsky]

Fishtank is correct there is only a one minute test - do not allow managers to confuse this with a throughput rate - there is no agreement on this.

If you are tested on anything other than the one minute test submit an Individual Grievance and make sure this gets heard and not swept under the carpet.

You are right Guv these thoughput tests are meant to intimidate staff and cover up for Mis Management and gross understaffing in DO's