Break times

Quarterpastnine · Post by **Quarterpastnine** » 14 Jun 2019, 07:01

So I’ve got a contract for 30 hours a week, I was wondering as it says I’ll be working from 7.30-1400 and 8.30-15.00 i’m guessing the half an hour is the break which you’re paid for. Do you have to take the break or can you work through it each day and claim it as overtime, and potential finish earlier?

Post by **POSTMAN** » 14 Jun 2019, 18:29

Why would you ask such a question?

Quarterpastnine · Post by **Quarterpastnine** » 14 Jun 2019, 20:54

Just curious; that’s all

Post by **fb1969** » 14 Jun 2019, 21:07

If you are working 6 hours a day, those 6 hours will include the 30 minute break. So the 0730-1400 doesn't tie in with that, it is 30 minutes too long. Our part timers do 0800-1400 including the break, five days a week equals 30 hours.

You will probably take the break in whatever way the rest of your office does. Ours has the full timers splitting their break in order to finish 20 minutes early (as part of the break) and the part timers do the same and finish at 1340. As you are paid for the break you shouldn't be able to claim for it - but I'm not saying that that doesn't happen.

Quarterpastnine · Post by **Quarterpastnine** » 14 Jun 2019, 21:14

Thanks for the reply. How many hours do you work? I know it’s hard to come across full time jobs now with the post office

Post by **fb1969** » 14 Jun 2019, 21:19

Royal Mail, not Post Office

separate companies.

I am on a 30 hour contract, having dropped from full time at my own request. Usually do 3-4 hours overtime a week, but not doing early starts, it all depends on the workload and whether I want to do extra.

Quarterpastnine · Post by **Quarterpastnine** » 15 Jun 2019, 06:19

Oh right haha. Nice, sounds like you really enjoy the job, I hope overtime will be available for me at some point. So if you’re full time, I’m guessing you’ll start at 05.00 as opposed to 7.30 etc.

Post by **fb1969** » 15 Jun 2019, 06:57

Our full timers start about 60-80 minutes before the part timers depending on the day. Some days are later starts than others, across the week they do 8 hours more than me - but that is averaged across 6 weeks for them.

Can't say I enjoy the job at all, I used to but not anymore.

Quarterpastnine · Post by **Quarterpastnine** » 15 Jun 2019, 09:40

I see, makes sense now. That’s a shame, sorry to hear that mate. How comes you’re not enjoying it as much as you used to? Things have changed a lot?

Post by **fb1969** » 15 Jun 2019, 14:52

The workload can be impossible. Managers ineffective at managing people - pressure some into taking too much while doing nothing about the lazy ones. The atmosphere some mornings before going out of toxic at times, so I went part time to get out of if.

Quarterpastnine · Post by **Quarterpastnine** » 15 Jun 2019, 15:44

Doesn’t sound great. I’ve heard quite a bit about the managerial side of things. Workload meaning too much that you never finish on time? Is that where your 3-4 hours of overtime come into it? Good job you’re not in the sorting office all that long now

Post by **fb1969** » 15 Jun 2019, 17:49

Not all offices are the same, not all managers are the same. Dont want to discourage you, just saying how I've found it.

The workload being too much means regular conversations with managers as to whether we'll complete or not. Depending on which manager it is can mean there is little problem, or can mean confrontation and/or an argument. There is little appreciation from managers about how long packets can take to deliver compared to putting a few letters through a door. My overtime can either be going over the finish time, or some days I maybe asked to start a bit early.

Quarterpastnine · Post by **Quarterpastnine** » 15 Jun 2019, 18:01

Of course not, I appreciate the info. I start on the 23rd of July, after my induction on the 22nd, so fingers crossed. I know the first couple of months are gonna be shitty, getting to grips with things etc. Hopefully things will level out after that

Post by **fb1969** » 15 Jun 2019, 18:13

The induction day will tell you about the company but very little about how to do the job. Make sure you are paid for that day, and that you claim overtime for it if it goes over your hours.

Training will depend on the office. I came away from the induction day with several forms as a training record to be filled in as and when I was shown things in the office - those forms were never touched again. The biggest issue I found when I started was knowing what people were talking about - what I called sacks they called bags, what I called parcels they called packets, what I called bags they called pouches etc etc!

Quarterpastnine · Post by **Quarterpastnine** » 15 Jun 2019, 19:35

Yeah, I’ve got a 68 page induction email telling me all about the company etc. It’s 8 hours, apparently it doesn’t actually last that long though, I’ll make sure to get paid for any overtime, or time over I do; especially if I’m running over being a new starter. That’s exactly what I was wondering, what workers call the different things. You’ll retire with the Royal Mail?