Is FT to PT a good move?

[Mr Blonde]

We haven't really started our new way of working yet, well, we've had a tray of sequenced mail and one of "normal" so far and I hate throwing off sequenced mail, it's like throwing off households, and takes the only bit of skill out of the job, but thats a different matter.

The thing is that over time recently, more and more we've seen FT'ers taken off the walk sorting to throw other jobs off and our 1hr 30mins on the sorting is closer to 2hrs every day.

I can't see this changing and looking at the mock 318 that they've put on the wall I just don't see how we'll fit everything into our working day, I can see myself bringing mail back day after day. I know people will say do your job properly and they're right, thats how it will have to be but bringing mail back will get old very quickly and the job for me will become more and more of a chore.

I'm thinking that if I can cut the sorting part out of my job and go down to about 32 hours so I just come in, throw off my job, help with the remainder of the FT'ers sorting and then go out and vanshare the job it will be much less un-enjoyable.

Would that make sense to do or would I be an idiot?

[pinstripe]

If you can cope with the loss in earnings (I work 30 hours and take home about £220) then you should do it. Especially if you're going to 30-32 hours. All my time is spent on my own walk.
The down side is less holiday pay, lower pension (I think) and the loss of another full time duty. The plus side is that your DOM will have 8-10 hours less to cut and you'll have a relatively stress free day, compared to F/T.

[Postal1]

I find it a difficult one. I mean our office is going to 4hr 30min delivery span. That'll mean 5hr-5hr 30mins i don't doubt. My point is, rm want a part time workforce but don't seem to cater for part time workers. I guess you'd only reduce your hours for free to get less stress at work. However, for our office some rounds are going to be 1000 delivery points and massive.
So even if you can throw your round in 1hr 30mins which will be amazing due to late mail and finishing off sorting/special office opening then you've only got 4hr 30 from leaving the office to getting back.

[pinstripe]

I find it a difficult one. I mean our office is going to 4hr 30min delivery span. That'll mean 5hr-5hr 30mins i don't doubt. My point is, rm want a part time workforce but don't seem to cater for part time workers. I guess you'd only reduce your hours for free to get less stress at work. However, for our office some rounds are going to be 1000 delivery points and massive.
So even if you can throw your round in 1hr 30mins which will be amazing due to late mail and finishing off sorting/special office opening then you've only got 4hr 30 from leaving the office to getting back.

That's true, but it's going to be the same, if not worse for f/t unless they are doing 10 hour days (4 day weeks)

[kimski1976]

not all full timers have their own walk. we have 2 - 3 in our office who are full timers but dont have seniorority to get a decent walk so they just float about. we have laods of part timers and msot of them have the best walks in the office cause of how long theyve been there for. id stick with 40 hours and maybe they will offer you a buy down?

[Postal1]

not all full timers have their own walk. we have 2 - 3 in our office who are full timers but dont have seniorority to get a decent walk so they just float about. we have laods of part timers and msot of them have the best walks in the office cause of how long theyve been there for. id stick with 40 hours and maybe they will offer you a buy down?

Can the DOM offer who he likes a buydown in the office depending on cuts. For example employee A) asks for a buydown to manage a condition covered under DDA but he tells them nothing doing, but offers it to someone else?

[themaze]

I've been thinking the very same thing, apparantly our are wants 75% part time on dely and the rest full time on prepping deliverys, at present i have my own walk and 20ish years service any reasons not to go part time?
Would it effect how many weeks holiday you'd get a year?

[Lincox]

Mr Blonde, if you really can afford to drop some income then for your own health and well being. I can recommend it. You will find that your income will not drop pro rata as you will pay proportionally less tax and ni. I dropped from 35 to 21 a few years ago and to be honest it was the best thing I have ever done. Especially if you can reduce your days down, so you work say 4 days instead of five. I only do three. Ok so when there are bonuses (sorry I just had to laugh), you only get pro rata, but the job is far more easy to stomach and it gives you time to get over the fatigue etc.

[Postal1]

Maybe going down to 30hrs but asking for a four day week would be a good option?

[Theghost]

I did it 4 years ago and really enjoyed being on 30 hours,I was really fed up with the place and was constantly going in late because i simply could not be bothered,Always off sick etc,I went in and asked for my hours to be dropped to 30,I had never even heard of a buy down and got £3500 for the privelage,So that was a bonus,So back to 30 i went.My other half said she noticed a change in my attitude,I was alot happier,Less tired etc.
Last year i agreed to do 10 hours s/a per week,Did this for a year and 3 weeks ago stopped,Now back on 30 hours and enjoy going into work once more,No stress,No hassle,No worries atall.
If you have kids you can get part of your lost earnings back via working family tax credits,The extra money is nice,But if you can afford it,Do it,I put health and happiness above the extra cash anyday,I will never ever go back Full Time.
If you can,Do it,The way things are im sure you could make the hours back in ovies if u really needed to.

[Mr Blonde]

I wouldn't dream of cutting so many hours as to being one of the poor souls who gets their job thrown off for them, I MUST throw my own delivery off, from experience of having someone else do it I can't stand the sloppyness from the "how the f**k did he get that wrong" mis preps to putting flats in front of letters.

All I want is to come in, throw off my own job and go out and do the van share, although I know there will probably be a bit of sorting too.

As it is I can't stand much more of the "do this, do that" and you'll have to do it all on your own cos we've taken a bloke whose a good sorter to throw off a delivery.

Also, while I appreciate that I'll lose in the long run through sick leave and A/L reductions I may even have the willing to extend instead of cutting off thus making a few extra quid.

[pinstripe]

While I agree that this would suit you and that you should at least give it serious consideration, it is a sad state of affairs when a loyal workforce has had so much that we are forced to consider these options.
I say go for it.

[themaze]

So if you drop your hours do you just come in and deliver a delivery thats all bagged up?
Other than the loss in pay, pension and holiday (anyone know what your entitled to on 30 hour week) what are the other negatives?
I guess there's the risk that you could come in and find the delivery not prepped but that would be sorted by telling the dom every minute i'm indoors sorting i won't be out delivering.
Lastly is there any hard and fast rule on what is part time or do you just negoitate your own conditions like 30 hour week of 3 10 hour days for instance?

[Mr Blonde]

No, not a delivery thats bagged up, I just want my job as it is minus the 1hr 30mins sorting which is what the majority of part timers do.