Recruitment policy at Mail Centres

[eglantina1]

I work at a Mail Centre in the MIdlands. I'm actually employed by Angard and have been working there since the end of November. The MC is still using about 40-50 agency staff on some of the evening shifts and on Saturdays. Last week a lot of them (about 3/4) were offered proper RM contracts, though mostly just for weekend work. There didn't seem to be any proper selection process involved except that the young seemed to be favoured in preference to the old. In the packets sorting area no-one aged over 50 was given a contract. Neither does it seem as though any of them have to do the aptitude test that has to be taken if you apply on-line for a Royal Mail job.
I'm just wondering what the policy is at other Mail Centres -after Christmas do lots of the casual staff get taken on permanently, do they have to take the aptitude test, do they have to go through a proper interview procedure, how do they decide which of the casual workers are any good. I'd like to know what happens in other places before I make a case about age discrimination to management. I realise it probably won't make any difference, but it will make me feel better!

[haynes]

Im surprised although as all we see and hear is RM wanting and looking to kick people out and move them on as quickly as possible. In terms of taking the employment contract itself i say go for it as we are better paid for what we do compared to others

[eglantina1]

Im surprised although as all we see and hear is RM wanting and looking to kick people out and move them on as quickly as possible. In terms of taking the employment contract itself i say go for it as we are better paid for what we do compared to others

Actually they aren't great contracts. Some people are only offered Saturdays and some Saturday and Sunday. Then it seems as through you are obliged to turn up every single weekend or they risk having it taken away from you again. Those with contract are still doing evening and night shifts as well and presumably paid better than the rest of us and they get paid meal breaks which agency don't.
And yes you're right it does seem strange when they usually get rid of people and they could just keep them on as agency workers.

[pink panther]

Seems to be all management relatives get employed now.

[JamAliSch]

Seems to be all management relatives get employed now.

Yep, management and union rep relatives... So much corruption going on within RM.. I was offered a part time job at an MC about six years ago now, problem was I was on a scheduled holiday with the family when the training started, which apparently was no problem since I would be trained when I got back a week later, Imagine my surprise at seeing a letter saying I was unsuccessful this time round....

The training is simple, I've worked at the same MC for the last four years as an xmas casual, and have been asked to be a BAU numerous times by managers/shift manager. Each time was for the graveyard shift (i mostly work earlies and weekends so turned them down).

I've been regretting going on that holiday since, and waiting for positions to open up, apparently I missed out on five positions in october 2011, all of which the workers had parents in the MC's union. There was no online recruitment or notice on these jobs to the workforce at the MC.

[Budfrog]

There didn't seem to be any proper selection process involved except that the young seemed to be favoured in preference to the old. In the packets sorting area no-one aged over 50 was given a contract.

This is technically unlawful under the "Employment Age Regulations 2006" provided that the over 50s were fit and as capable as their younger counterparts.

RM preaches equal opportunities (Blah Blah Blah) and simply does what it pleases, discriminating by age, race and gender (the only reason we have so many female managers is that positive discrimination has been applied to get the %s up!!). There is also a fast growing 'old boy' network that is readily moving Graduates into positions that are never advertised.

[Stampy]

Seems to be all management relatives get employed now.

Normally as MANGERS themselves......