Can I refuse to do a round?

Rlb123 · Post by **Rlb123** » 27 Jan 2018, 14:36

Hi,
Iv only been with Royal Mail for two months and next week I am on my own pushing one of the big trolleys. I have never done the walk before. Iv told the manager I’m not confident doing it and have asked to be swapped with someone else and he just laughed and said I will be fine. Can anybody tell me where I stand please?
Thanks

banner · Post by **banner** » 27 Jan 2018, 14:48

2 months? I was sent on my own after 3 days.

Post by **greengiant** » 27 Jan 2018, 14:48

Rlb123 wrote:Hi,
Iv only been with Royal Mail for two months and next week I am on my own pushing one of the big trolleys. I have never done the walk before. Iv told the manager I’m not confident doing it and have asked to be swapped with someone else and he just laughed and said I will be fine. Can anybody tell me where I stand please?
Thanks

Perhaps speak to the regular postie on the trolley round, ask if they have any tips for doing the round, and then look on it as a learning experience?

kingeric · Post by **kingeric** » 27 Jan 2018, 14:51

Sounds like he's not took you serious and thought you was joking.

In all honesty he's right. You'll be fine. Most would agree that HCT walks are the easiest delivery duties going

Rlb123 · Post by **Rlb123** » 27 Jan 2018, 14:59

banner wrote:2 months? I was sent on my own after 3 days.

Iv been on my own lots of times just never with a hct

Xr4 · Post by **Xr4** » 27 Jan 2018, 15:00

Ask for a map as soon as you get in and keep on asking till you get it, make sure your phone is fully charged with Google maps ready and don't be bullied into taking specials that you don't think you'll make.

Ask someone who knows the round for tips, short cuts and how to tie it up And write it down.

Trolley rounds are mostly easy, usually just follow your nose

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 27 Jan 2018, 15:03

Rlb123 wrote:Hi,
Iv only been with Royal Mail for two months and next week I am on my own pushing one of the big trolleys. I have never done the walk before. Iv told the manager I’m not confident doing it and have asked to be swapped with someone else and he just laughed and said I will be fine. Can anybody tell me where I stand please?
Thanks

To answer the basic question. Sorry no, you can't refuse. its classed as a reasonable request. However, you still don't have to do overtime to complete it.

To be honest, if you have done only CDV duties you might find this easier as you have no one trying to rush you or slow you down, you cant go at your own reasonable pace. Read up on the security guidelines and check out the duty on Google earth to familiarise yourself and you should be ok.

Post by **greengiant** » 27 Jan 2018, 15:04

Rlb123 wrote:
banner wrote:2 months? I was sent on my own after 3 days.
Iv been on my own lots of times just never with a htc

A couple of tips from when I went out on a HCT round not long after starting.

Number your bundles of mail, and load the trolley so that the first bundles & packets are at the top, and the last bundles and packets are at the bottom. A bit of time spent organising the trolley will save time on the street, as you won't need to rummage around the trolley to find the next bundle!

Depending on amount of mail / packets, you could try putting the mail in one half of trolley, packets in the other half, so that the stuff you need first is at the top.

At least you won't have any oversize packets to do!

Rlb123 · Post by **Rlb123** » 27 Jan 2018, 15:05

greengiant wrote:
Rlb123 wrote:Hi,
Iv only been with Royal Mail for two months and next week I am on my own pushing one of the big trolleys. I have never done the walk before. Iv told the manager I’m not confident doing it and have asked to be swapped with someone else and he just laughed and said I will be fine. Can anybody tell me where I stand please?
Thanks
Perhaps speak to the regular postie on the trolley round, ask if they have any tips for doing the round, and then look on it as a learning experience?

It’s his week off now. Never mind just looks like I’ll have to get on with it.

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 27 Jan 2018, 15:07

Put your loops in bags makes it easier to organise

Xr4 · Post by **Xr4** » 27 Jan 2018, 15:09

Rlb123 wrote:
It’s his week off now. Never mind just looks like I’ll have to get on with it.

There's more than just one person that knows the round, ask either the day off cover or the manager

Rlb123 · Post by **Rlb123** » 27 Jan 2018, 15:11

Xr4 wrote:Ask for a map as soon as you get in and keep on asking till you get it, make sure your phone is fully charged with Google maps ready and don't be bullied into taking specials that you don't think you'll make.

Ask someone who knows the round for tips, short cuts and how to tie it up And write it down.

Trolley rounds are mostly easy, usually just follow your nose

Will do, thanks.

banner · Post by **banner** » 27 Jan 2018, 15:14

Rlb123 wrote:
banner wrote:2 months? I was sent on my own after 3 days.
Iv been on my own lots of times just never with a hct

Oh, I see.

Why is it much different to doing a cdv? The hct is just in place of the van, the loops just take you back to the trolley instead of a van. The only real difference is in organizing the trolley but surely someone in the office will assist you there. If you get the trolley prepped right you'll be fine.

kingeric · Post by **kingeric** » 27 Jan 2018, 16:05

greengiant wrote:
Rlb123 wrote:
banner wrote:2 months? I was sent on my own after 3 days.
Iv been on my own lots of times just never with a htc
A couple of tips from when I went out on a HCT round not long after starting.

Number your bundles of mail, and load the trolley so that the first bundles & packets are at the top, and the last bundles and packets are at the bottom. A bit of time spent organising the trolley will save time on the street, as you won't need to rummage around the trolley to find the next bundle!

Depending on amount of mail / packets, you could try putting the mail in one half of trolley, packets in the other half, so that the stuff you need first is at the top.

At least you won't have any oversize packets to do!

As well as having Google maps handy this is the best advice you will get regarding a hct walk.

gone postal · Post by **gone postal** » 27 Jan 2018, 17:11

Remember the max time limit to leave unattended is 10minutes. So your going to have much smaller loops than your used to on the CDV's duty.