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New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 07 Apr 2021, 11:10
by route101
Hi
I start at RM soon at at DO office. Few questions.
Do you get a uniform on the first day? Was thinking of cargo trousers, dont fancy jeans. Not sure about a jumper/jacket. I have a hi vis.
Hours are 9 to 248, is that to get out of paying an hour? Man at interview said 830 to 330 across the week and Sundays was mentioned.
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 07 Apr 2021, 13:07
by Dorset Plodder
Welcome to the Mad House Route101.
At least you've discovered RMC early. This'll help you out a lot when you have to start dealing with Lack of Training, Lack of Information & Bullshitting Managers.
I doubt if you'll get any uniform Day One, apart from RM Hi-Vis. Don't stress as most Posties wear a lot of Civvie Kit anyway, because most of it is better. Just be sensible in your choice, it needs to be comfortable for a few hours outdoor walking. Most Posties seem to prefer their own trainers anyway, although if you ever have a trip or fall you'll be in the crap for not wearing the issued footwear. Personally I don't mind the RM issued footwear, it's not that bad, and as you'll be going through at least four pairs of Boots/Trainers a year I'd rather RM was paying for them.
You're right about Jeans they're a No No.
When they get
Wet they stay
Wet and get bloody
Cold. Cargo Pants are great as you've extra pockets for cards, pens, elastic bands etc. Any quick Drying Artificial fibres are good. If you get Grey it's the same as RM issue.
I'd suggest a thin fleece type top, with a high zip up collar, and a
Windproof Jacket. They're normally spare RM Storm Coats lying about the office to borrow until you get your own. You'll find once you're out and about you warm up and don't really need very thick fleeces & Jackets, unless it's really COLD.
Looks like you've got a 35 hour contact, which is good for a New Starter. Just ask the DOM (Delivery Office Manager) to show you your
Contracted Hours. There's a difference it's not what he
Wants you to work, it's what you
Have to work.
We're looking at perhaps having to have Sunday Deliveries (Parcels Only) so that's why the interviewer mentioned it. Either way your DOM can explain your duties. Good Luck.
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 07 Apr 2021, 19:02
by route101
Dorset Plodder wrote: ↑07 Apr 2021, 13:07
Welcome to the Mad House Route101.
At least you've discovered RMC early. This'll help you out a lot when you have to start dealing with Lack of Training, Lack of Information & Bullshitting Managers.
I doubt if you'll get any uniform Day One, apart from RM Hi-Vis. Don't stress as most Posties wear a lot of Civvie Kit anyway, because most of it is better. Just be sensible in your choice, it needs to be comfortable for a few hours outdoor walking. Most Posties seem to prefer their own trainers anyway, although if you ever have a trip or fall you'll be in the crap for not wearing the issued footwear. Personally I don't mind the RM issued footwear, it's not that bad, and as you'll be going through at least four pairs of Boots/Trainers a year I'd rather RM was paying for them.
You're right about Jeans they're a No No.
When they get
Wet they stay
Wet and get bloody
Cold. Cargo Pants are great as you've extra pockets for cards, pens, elastic bands etc. Any quick Drying Artificiale fibres are good. If you get Grey it's the same as RM issue.
I'd suggest a thin fleece type top, with a high zip up high , and a
Windproof Jacket. They're normally spare RM Storm Coats lying about the office to borrow until you get your own. You'll find once you're out and about you warm up and don't really need very thick fleeces & Jackets, unless it's really COLD.
Looks like you've got a 35 hour contact, which is good for a New Starter. Just ask the DOM (Delivery Office Manager) to show you your
Contracted Hours. There's a difference it's not what he
Wants you to work, it's what you
Have to work.
We're looking at perhaps having to have Sunday Deliveries (Parcels Only) so that's why the interviewer mentioned it. Either way your DOM can explain your duties. Good Luck.
Thanks for the info. Now on the search for cargo pants, with the shops shut gonna be harder to get right size. My contracted hours are 29 actually, as 5 6 hour shifts. Although I would want to take it up to 35.
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 07 Apr 2021, 19:45
by fb1969
If its a 29 hour contract it answers your question about it being 0900-1448. That is 5hr 48m a day, five days a week makes 29 hours. It is more than likely there will be more than 5hrs 48m of work most days, that is the Royal Mail way - they assume most people will want overtime and will stay out, then when they go on leave etc they only get pay for their contracted hours.
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 07 Apr 2021, 20:38
by route101
fb1969 wrote: ↑07 Apr 2021, 19:45
If its a 29 hour contract it answers your question about it being 0900-1448. That is 5hr 48m a day, five days a week makes 29 hours. It is more than likely there will be more than 5hrs 48m of work most days, that is the Royal Mail way - they assume most people will want overtime and will stay out, then when they go on leave etc they only get pay for their contracted hours.
I was wondering why you don't finish at 3. How do you ensure you clock in and out for shifts and make sure you are paid for OT?
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 07 Apr 2021, 21:06
by fb1969
At the moment there is a *manual" signing in sheet - the time you start, the time you go out on delivery, the time you're back from delivery and the time you finish. There are separate sheets for claiming overtime - make sure you know when/what your (paid) break is, and where to claim overtime.
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 11 Apr 2021, 20:14
by POSTMAN
route101 wrote: ↑07 Apr 2021, 11:10
Hi
I start at RM soon at at DO office. Few questions.
Do you get a uniform on the first day? Was thinking of cargo trousers, dont fancy jeans. Not sure about a jumper/jacket. I have a hi vis.
Hours are 9 to 248, is that to get out of paying an hour? Man at interview said 830 to 330 across the week and Sundays was mentioned.
Read the stickies!
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 17 Apr 2021, 20:09
by route101
Is a hoody ok on the first day?
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 17 Apr 2021, 20:10
by route101
POSTMAN wrote: ↑11 Apr 2021, 20:14
route101 wrote: ↑07 Apr 2021, 11:10
Hi
I start at RM soon at at DO office. Few questions.
Do you get a uniform on the first day? Was thinking of cargo trousers, dont fancy jeans. Not sure about a jumper/jacket. I have a hi vis.
Hours are 9 to 248, is that to get out of paying an hour? Man at interview said 830 to 330 across the week and Sundays was mentioned.
Read the stickies!
Yes I have, looking for some more opinion.
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 18 Apr 2021, 08:27
by Dorset Plodder
route101 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2021, 20:09
Is a hoody ok on the first day?
I wouldn'r worry too much about it mate. Half the staff look like A Bag of Shite tied in the middle! If you showed them an Iron they wouldn't recognise it, let alone know how to use it!
Re: New starter hours and uniform
Posted: 19 Apr 2021, 10:17
by TrueBlueTerrier
route101 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2021, 20:09
Is a hoody ok on the first day?
Yes as long as its not political or garish.