Upcoming jobs, can i apply

[Manboat]

I'm after a second opinion if anyone can help I'd appreciate it, I am after more hours in my office and up until recently there was a staff shortage but now my union rep and manager say they have a few new staff coming in from inside the business and newbies which will use up all the hours. I've been told that any upcoming duties that go up i will be unable to go for as my increase in hours would make the depot be over there hours so in effect this means people less senior than myself could take the duty whilst I'm left waiting for people to leave the business to get my hours up, is this right because it seems rather unfair if so.

[WOBBLY]

I can't really help - but bear in mind people who are joining your office but already employed by RM (e.g. transferring offices) bring any seniority, previously earned, with them

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It may seem unfair from your point of view but looking at it logically would you be happy if Royal Mail reduced your contracted hours to allow someone with more seniority than you to get more hours.

This is in essence what you are asking for. Royal Mail won't run with surplus hours if they can avoid it as its costs money and makes them less efficient in the eyes of the regulator. So for that reason, Royal Mail will always select someone with the hours that match the duty.

There is nothing to stop you applying for all duties that become available its just that you will be unlikely to be successful.

Now if they are bringing new recruits in on more hours than you then you may have a case for a grievance and it might be worth exploring that avenue. But the description you have given doesn't seem to fit that scenario.

[Manboat]

Ok thanks for your answers, can see where your coming from I suppose, think there is 1 newbie coming in but I didn't ask about more hours till recently, just bad timing, will have to bump someone off to get my hours up ;)

[Son Of God]

Are they actual vacancies?

Does your rep do a 6 month review of part timers performing greater hours than their contract each week?