Prep tests

[steve1873]

He's saying a job should be fully prepped, in 1 hour and 15 mins start of finish

This is not a performance target. It is the figure used in the indoor work tool (IWT) associated to that particular duty. It will be further broken down in to individual tasks. These are simply resourcing figures. Not performance targets.

A task takes as long as it takes. Let's say that 1 hour 15 mins is broken down in to 5 individual tasks. It only takes each task over running by 2 minutes for whatever reason and you are 10 minutes over that resourcing figure.

Now, that COULD mean that the individual has under performed. It could just as equally mean that the figures used to calculate this figure were inaccurate. There is no real way of knowing which.

Any individual being tested based on these figures needs to lodge a grievance at being tested using an unagreed process. IWT is for resourcing the unit. It is broken down in to individual duties and individual tasks, but it is still a unit wide tool and must not be used for measuring individual performance (until such time as it is agreed with CWU).

[k979aaa]

I still am of an age where leadership counts rather than have a pistol pointed at my face kind of leadership we should all get the lazy bastards over the top first approach with bayonets in their fat arses so they earn their bonuses!

[postslippete]

I've always been very curious of the indoor work plan particularly when some posties have to fully prep 2 frames and others on singleton duties of a similar size are simply responsible for prepping their own. Sure,I get help on the other frame sometimes but many times we know we're going to get out late and just have to cut off. It seems like clearly bad management when those on singletons who still finish early still only prep their own instead of helping those who work as part of a full time-part time can share

[DorsetPostie]

Do you have a porter bringing you the letters and packets when you are prepping??

Thanks for your reply.

In answer to your question, our office did have porters (mainly bringing the mech trays around) for a very short period following the last revision, probably about 5 years or so ago (when the bicycles went and the 'shared van' rounds were introduced). These were dropped quite quickly, so we ended up doing everything we used to do (i.e. putting D2Ds, mech, flats, packets, etc, on the frames). A few years ago, quite a few of the rounds now include collections whilst out on delivery as well.

In recent years, several of the existing rounds in the office have been 'absorbed' (i.e. become permanent additions) onto other rounds. We also 'lapse' other rounds on most days (this seems to occur most of the year, apart from perhaps during the immediate run-up to Christmas, and the occasional day when they aren't short of staff).

[DorsetPostie]

are they testing everyone or just selected people ? I believe there has to be a process followed before someone can get tested in this manner.
All the issues you raise are potential problems with the testing methods.

Thanks for your reply. So far, they've only tested a small number of people in our office. A manager timed everything they did, from the time they've arrived in the office until they left for the outside part of their duty (i.e. all internal 'prep' work on the frame for their duty). Rather more than the 'one minute' test that others have mentioned here!

[DorsetPostie]

(d) On some duties the 'mech' doesn't come in the correct sequence compared to the frames (i.e. the frames have obviously been changed at some stage but the updated order hasn't been updated for the sequencing machines!)

That will be down to whoever in your DO who is responsible for updating the A+ not having done so. Walk sequencing, walk sorting and batch sorting plans are based on the A+ data, if the A+ data is wrong then the sort plans will be wrong

Yes, thanks. I have raised this with the managers on numerous occasions over a long period of time but, to date, nothing has been done to correct this (and other) issues.

[DorsetPostie]

Let me guess, it's the postie's on crap walks who don't start early, who take breaks etc and say they can't complete who are being tested, it's usually the case, on the other hand if you've got a piss easy duty or work for free and never complain then you're left well alone.

Yes, it certainly seems that way!

[DorsetPostie]

Could anyone please let me know the current situation regarding 'prep' tests that are allowed to be carried out. I've searched around here and managed to find some old documents but would like to find out if these are the current 'agreed' (or otherwise!) tests.

The managers in our office have been 'prep' testing (timing) staff from the time they come in until they go out on delivery. This seems to include everything we have to do, such as putting D2Ds on the frames; collecting 'mech' trays and mail/'flats' from the IPS (unsequenced) frames and putting them in the correct 'address slots' on the duty frames; collecting parcel sacks and sorting/putting the boxes / packets on the frames; returning miss-sorts / 'deads' to the appropriate places; redirections; bundling and bagging, collecting SD's / van & postbox keys, etc; loading vans; van checks; etc.

In case it makes a difference (to allowed times, etc):

(a) Quite a lot of the frames have double (or more!) slots
(b) Some of the frames have really bad labelling (raised many times, over a long period, but nothing has been done!)
(c) Many of the staff are frequently moved around to different duties (so, presumably, they won't be as quick as a postie on the same duty every day)
(d) On some duties the 'mech' doesn't come in the correct sequence compared to the frames (i.e. the frames have obviously been changed at some stage but the updated order hasn't been updated for the sequencing machines!)

Cheers!

Thanks for your replies

[DorsetPostie]

Are they actually being individually tested?
Are they being told if they have passed or failed?
What criteria are being used to determine pass or failure?

Or are management simply testing to see if the current resourcing standards are accurate?

From what the individuals tested so far have said, they believe they have been tested as they are (according to the managers) taking too long to do their round and the managers aren't happy at them trying to book O/T (the managers often say "everyone else can do it in the time"!)

Usually it seems that the managers are comparing with people who 'apparently' do the duty in a shorter time (this is because they come in early, for free; don't take breaks; etc).

Apparently the individuals hadn't been told if they'd passed / failed after 2-3 weeks had passed. I don't know if they've been told this week.

I believe the managers are using 'average number per minute' speed values (to put D2D, mech, flats, packets, etc, on the frame; and to do miss-sorts; redirections; etc) to determine pass/fail.

I don't believe the individuals were told what these average 'speed' figures were at the time of the tests (presumably they might be told when, or if, they're told their results)

[DorsetPostie]

are they testing everyone or just selected people ? I believe there has to be a process followed before someone can get tested in this manner.
All the issues you raise are potential problems with the testing methods.

So far, just selected people. From what the individuals tested so far have said, they believe they have been tested as they are (according to the managers) taking too long to do their round and the managers aren't happy at them trying to book O/T (the managers often say "everyone else can do it in the time"!)

Usually it seems that the managers are comparing with people who 'apparently' do the duty in a shorter time (this is because they come in early, for free; don't take breaks; etc).

[Marshamp11]

are they testing everyone or just selected people ? I believe there has to be a process followed before someone can get tested in this manner.
All the issues you raise are potential problems with the testing methods.

So far, just selected people. From what the individuals tested so far have said, they believe they have been tested as they are (according to the managers) taking too long to do their round and the managers aren't happy at them trying to book O/T (the managers often say "everyone else can do it in the time"!)

Usually it seems that the managers are comparing with people who 'apparently' do the duty in a shorter time (this is because they come in early, for free; don't take breaks; etc).

Maybe it should be pointed out to the manager that the people who should be spoken to are the ones who are not adhering to RM methods. If this does not happen then a grievance for victimisation should be mentioned. The only industry I know that advocates the breaking rules and ways of working as the benchmark for others to follow. Just as well we dont work for bomb disposal units. Boom.

[zipmeister]

He's saying a job should be fully prepped, in 1 hour and 15 mins start of finish

If he is getting those figures from IWT they can only be used as a guideline. In my unit on a Monday IWT says most of the duties should take about 1 hour 15min up to about 1 hour 28min start to finish.