Repick advice

[Jmartindale130]

Hi all,

Postie of 10 months, been lucky (or unlucky) to be on the same walk since I've been here, (everybody tells me how bad the walk is that I'm on)

But anyways, repick has come up and I've got the option to either go on a walk I've never done full time, with sequential days off and a 1 in 5 long weekend

Or have a set 5 cover walks, with random days off

Unsure what to do, surely this walk must be just as bad as its the last one left.

Obviously I'll get to know the walks, I'm not bothered about that, just don't want to sign up to this duty and it be worse than the one I'm on currently, If that's the case I'd rather do the cover rounds?

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

Sounds like you're a bit confused at the day off rotations here in both options. Are you sure it isn't...
Be duty holder and get 1 Saturday in 6 weeks (long weekend off)
Be cover duty for five duties and get rotating day off?

If you're covering five set duties, these are usually covered by five duty holders, with a set pattern of days off when you cover them. So there is no "random" factor of when your moving day off falls.

[Jmartindale130]

Yes that may be the case! Like I said I've only ever been on the same walk and don't fully understand how everything works, manager called me while I was out to ask what I wanted to do but didn't give them an answer straight away

Do people typically prefer to be duty holders of one round or do a cover duty?

I'm assuming it isn't a good duty as its the last one left haha

[yubin282]

10 months in and already full-time.......bloody hell.

[Chelseablue]

10 months in most staff are moved about everywhere , takes a few years to get anywhere near your own duty .

[SMS1969]

10 months in most staff are moved about everywhere , takes a few years to get anywhere near your own duty .

Depends where you are I guess, it only took me seven months.

[Jmartindale130]

Yeah I've heard that it's been very unusual being able to get a duty this early

Do you think considering that I should go for it, regardless of how bad the walk could be

[clashcityrocker]

Do people typically prefer to be duty holders ?

Yes.

[TopperGas]

Yeah I've heard that it's been very unusual being able to get a duty this early

Do you think considering that I should go for it, regardless of how bad the walk could be

Can't you speak to colleagues and seek their views on the walk plus have a nose at the frame and see what streets you'll be delivering to? Personally unless the walk is an absolute shocker I'd take it, as it's better than picking up walks which haven't gone out for days on a daily basis because the duty holders have been off.

[Jmartindale130]

Yeah wanting to do that, was going to ask manager to show me the frame when I got back but didn't get back while 5, been a really heavy day!

[qwerty2]

Take the one where you know your day off is every week
Getting random days every week you might hardly get a long weekend

[Acca Dacca]

By full time I assume you mean 'on a set duty/signed for' rather than made up to full time hours?

[world class male]

a cover duty still gets a fixed rota day off, a must for planning weekends away miles ahead, even if you came off it you can still request any dates you may have booked and not forgetting a sat or mon off tagged on to a week off, this can save £s in flights
btw, you're 1 lucky **** getting ft & choice of a duty after that length of service, took me 8 or 9 years!

[qw]

To be honest as others have said unless the round is awful I would go for it. The fact that you could only know two rounds in the office is good for you personally as you won’t be moved much. I have my own duty but as I know half the rounds in the office I’m always moved, at least you wont be I guess

[nobLe97]

I have only been a postie since Nov and still a reserve. However I have some opinions from both Duty Holders and those that have a Float (which is what you are referring to). Having a float means you do the same 5 walks every week, covering duty holders day off. The best thing about this I’m told is that like you said you aren’t tied down to a bad duty. Here are some pro’s and con’s of each imo:

Duty Holder:

Know duty inside out.
No anxiety about being moved/messed around.
Same van everyday.
Get to know the residents.
Could do it blindfolded.
Could be a bad duty and get sick of the same grind.
Boring after awhile.

Float:

Know multiple duties
Work with a variety of people.
Know there will be some days when you are on a easier duty.
Potentially messed around when people work their day off.