Part time contract as a reserve covering full time duties

[RookiePostie]

Just wondered what my rights are regarding this:

I'm on a 25hr contract and for the last 2 years or so I've been in a reserve position pretty much consistently covering full time driving duties whilst they are on hols. These duties are often back shifts where I'm working outside of my 9-2 contract hours. Occasionally I get told I'm covering a foot duty and I'll be bumped down to 25hrs for that week (It obviously suits the Dom cos he gets to save 15hrs). I'm getting pretty sick of this one way flexibility (as well as being shafted with pro rata pension and holiday pay) and am considering saying that I just want to work my hours, even when I'm on the vans. Our office is short of drivers and this would not suit the Dom at all as he'd have to find someone else to do 3 hours of the duties I'd be covering.

What is my Dom likely to say when I announce that I just want to do my hours? Also am I within my rights to say that I don't want to even be on the vans any more? The last few weeks on foot part time have been great from a non stress point of view.

It would be good to know if anyone else has/has had this problem.

Thanks!

[dave7634]

Just wondered what my rights are regarding this:

I'm on a 25hr contract and for the last 2 years or so I've been in a reserve position pretty much consistently covering full time driving duties whilst they are on hols. These duties are often back shifts where I'm working outside of my 9-2 contract hours. Occasionally I get told I'm covering a foot duty and I'll be bumped down to 25hrs for that week (It obviously suits the Dom cos he gets to save 15hrs). I'm getting pretty sick of this one way flexibility (as well as being shafted with pro rata pension and holiday pay) and am considering saying that I just want to work my hours, even when I'm on the vans. Our office is short of drivers and this would not suit the Dom at all as he'd have to find someone else to do 3 hours of the duties I'd be covering.

What is my Dom likely to say when I announce that I just want to do my hours? Also am I within my rights to say that I don't want to even be on the vans any more? The last few weeks on foot part time have been great from a non stress point of view.

It would be good to know if anyone else has/has had this problem.

Thanks!

Unless your contract states you have to work o/t then you're quite within your rights to say no to overtime. Same goes for the driving.

[numberone]

Just wondered what my rights are regarding this:

I'm on a 25hr contract and for the last 2 years or so I've been in a reserve position pretty much consistently covering full time driving duties whilst they are on hols. These duties are often back shifts where I'm working outside of my 9-2 contract hours. Occasionally I get told I'm covering a foot duty and I'll be bumped down to 25hrs for that week (It obviously suits the Dom cos he gets to save 15hrs). I'm getting pretty sick of this one way flexibility (as well as being shafted with pro rata pension and holiday pay) and am considering saying that I just want to work my hours, even when I'm on the vans. Our office is short of drivers and this would not suit the Dom at all as he'd have to find someone else to do 3 hours of the duties I'd be covering.

What is my Dom likely to say when I announce that I just want to do my hours? Also am I within my rights to say that I don't want to even be on the vans any more? The last few weeks on foot part time have been great from a non stress point of view.

It would be good to know if anyone else has/has had this problem.

Thanks!

This is exactly the same as my situation. I am on 25hrs TEMP contract after 2yrs and 5months (1 in 6 Shift). Just been told they are going to offer me full time but still temp. But have been working like you for all that time. Doing full time jobs, in a reserve capacity, but only getting part time hol pay and pension and revision payment. I don't really mind doing the work as long as I get paid but still being on temp contract is my main problem. When I ask DOM he just say's 'You'll be alright don't worry'. I have been working hard for all that time in the hope of getting a permenant contract so no wonder he just keeps stringing me along.

[demon]

if you have coverd them for 2 years or more they should have made you up to full time by now get the union to ask why you have not been made up i was the same and they put me up to 40 hours

[RookiePostie]

I've already been down that route before but got nowhere. Union rep basically said I had no chance of full time as others who have been in the office longer were also waiting for full time. However, they don't/won't drive a van. I've had enough of the pressure of vans (constantly having duties split, extra walking being put into the day or being told to do parcels for other drivers who are basically taking the piss). It's a constant battle against the clock just to get a break before the collections begin. I've had enough of that and don't really even want full time any more. I just want to turn up and do my job as it's supposed to be. 9-2, on foot.

[Pat Ostman]

don't really even want full time any more

Such a good example why Royal Mail is a dreadful company to work for.

[steven100]

I'm only part-time and i was full-time but decided to go back to University, just need one more module to complete degree in business studies and have no intention of going back up to full-time. .

[hampshireman]

I've already been down that route before but got nowhere. Union rep basically said I had no chance of full time as others who have been in the office longer were also waiting for full time. However, they don't/won't drive a van. I've had enough of the pressure of vans (constantly having duties split, extra walking being put into the day or being told to do parcels for other drivers who are basically taking the piss). It's a constant battle against the clock just to get a break before the collections begin. I've had enough of that and don't really even want full time any more. I just want to turn up and do my job as it's supposed to be. 9-2, on foot.

You might not have any chance of 'full time' i.e. 40hrs. What should happen is that you should become permanent employee. If they keep on emplying you for over two years then they need to make you a perm. It's happened to me and 3 of my workmates. Follow it up

[farmer69]

Hi there,

total agree with you, it sucks, doesn't it ! Yep, you can just state that you are only able to work your contracted hours Have you had the driver 'change-over' test/check thing? If so, you may not be able to refuse to drive :-( But, like you say, it's up to management to cover the remainder of the round you've been allocated

[Darren Bent]

Royal Mail will give you a useful lesson in business management. (What not to do ? :) )

[RookiePostie]

You might not have any chance of 'full time' i.e. 40hrs. What should happen is that you should become permanent employee. If they keep on emplying you for over two years then they need to make you a perm. It's happened to me and 3 of my workmates. Follow it up

I am permanent now, I got that after 6 months.

I did the driver test check thing right at the start. Maybe I should hand my driving licence back to DVLA?!