Asking for help on a walk

drunkenmunky · Post by **drunkenmunky** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:25

Is it ok to ask for help on a walk if it is too heavy or you think you will go over your time? For instance, I cover a walk with only one bag drop and I have to do alot of dead walking back and forth, which adds a good 30 minutes on to my delivery. Overall, it takes a little over 4 hours to complete my walk. One street I do, I have to do one side, then walk all the way back to the top of the road to my bag drop, carry another 16kg pouch (sometimes more) all the way back down to the bottom of the road again and continue my delivery. It kills me sometimes and I have told my manager this but he just tells me to split my bags. But I keep on telling him that I already do split my bags, they are still heavy and I do struggle on this particular walk. If I split my bags even more it will just add more time on to my delivery. If I go over my time or tell my manager I'll be unable to complete my walk in time he will question it and when I ask for help he usually refuses me. On some occasions I have got help but other times when I need it most he won't get me any. Where do I stand on heavy duties that I am genuinely struggling with? Is it ok to ask for help? Or should I just split my bags and carry the weight I am comfortable with and work over or cut off if necessary?

Fluke · Post by **Fluke** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:35

"Split my bags and carry the weight I am comfortable with and work over or cut off if necessary" Is the correct answer. If your manager has problem with this speak to your Rep and get the walk tested. In the mean time speak to the manager before you go out and let him know you will not work past your time, try and make sure you have a witness when you tell him/her.

How long have you had the walk and is this a new problem?

saru · Post by **saru** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:36

Stick to the correct bag weights, 16kg for the first two bags, 12kg for the next bag, 10kg for the next two & then 8kg after that. Tell him you don't think you will be able to finish before you leave the office & CUT OFF!!!! Don't let them take the p1ss......you give them an inch & they take a mile. You are cutting your own throat if you don't stick to the guidelines.
Don't forget, if you don't stick to the correct weights, if you injure yourself you won't be entitled to any compo.......you will be told it is YOUR fault!!!

newpostie · Post by **newpostie** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:40

simple! use a bike lol! if your certain tht u r going over he cant make you do any pressure overtime! even though he will try n imtimidate you! u just need 2 stand up for yourself! or ask the union rep to go and tell him!

apple · Post by **apple** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:41

can you use a trolley on it or is that not viable?

drunkenmunky · Post by **drunkenmunky** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:43

Thanks for the advice. That's what I thought. I have just started doing the walk. I only cover it for holidays, day off and sickness. The guy that normally does it uses his car, the walk is set up to be done with a car. Part of the walk is a bit out of my way and used to be on a driving job. There is no foot path to get to it, I have to either walk on the grass or in the road. If it's pouring with rain you have to walk through the wet mud and grass. The perks of the job I suppose.

Fluke · Post by **Fluke** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:46

Feckers with cars killing the job for others.

Speak to your Rep, if he's half decent he will do something about it.

drunkenmunky · Post by **drunkenmunky** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:47

macfan wrote:can you use a trolley on it or is that not viable?

I could but there is nowhere to put it really. I'd have to bring the trolley back one I've done and I don't have the transport to get back and I'm certainly not pushing it back 5 miles :)

saru · Post by **saru** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:49

drunkenmunky wrote:Thanks for the advice. That's what I thought. I have just started doing the walk. I only cover it for holidays, day off and sickness. The guy that normally does it uses his car, the walk is set up to be done with a car. Part of the walk is a bit out of my way and used to be on a driving job. There is no foot path to get to it, I have to either walk on the grass or in the road. If it's pouring with rain you have to walk through the wet mud and grass. The perks of the job I suppose.

Get your H&S rep to get the dodgy parts of your walk risk assessed. If it was set up for a van duty than that is how it should be done!

apple · Post by **apple** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:57

after reading the posts, think you need to get your rep involved
have a few in our office that use cars, when they are off the walks just don't work, as no transport etc

keep your chin up!
i would be 5 miles nope as well!

get the rep on it you shouldn't be walking in the road etc

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 07 Feb 2008, 15:59

saru wrote:
drunkenmunky wrote:Thanks for the advice. That's what I thought. I have just started doing the walk. I only cover it for holidays, day off and sickness. The guy that normally does it uses his car, the walk is set up to be done with a car. Part of the walk is a bit out of my way and used to be on a driving job. There is no foot path to get to it, I have to either walk on the grass or in the road. If it's pouring with rain you have to walk through the wet mud and grass. The perks of the job I suppose.
Get your H&S rep to get the dodgy parts of your walk risk assessed. If it was set up for a van duty than that is how it should be done!

As far as I know no walk should be set up to make it easier for a vehicle to do it. They can throw if off this way if they want to, but the walk should initially be set up to make it easier for a walking postman I am fairly sure there is a National Agreement for this.

Also I would speak to the DOM or Line Manager, and the H&S Rep, if you have to walk in the road the Manager has to come up with a solution after all this is a "Significant Hazard" if no one does anything a call to ACAS or CAB should scare them into getting it sorted.

Also no manager can make you work overtime if you don't want. When they say they cant get anyone to cover its their problem not yours and in your case I might ask for a walk test so they can see the problems first hand. Whatever you do don't accept a lift from the manager doing the walk test as this wont sort the problem out.

Also you are within your rights to refuse overtime and as long as you have informed your manager (with witnesses) that you cant complete, just work to your time and follow local guidelines. The guidelines may include ringing in 1 hour to half-an-hour before your duty time ends, or bringing the undelivered mail back and giving it to a manager, whatever you do see the CWU rep and get it sorted.

L Tommo · Post by **L Tommo** » 07 Feb 2008, 18:00

CUT THE FECK OFF!!! AND CUT THE THROATS OF THE CAR USERS!!

Jobs a good un... :lfo :cfo

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 07 Feb 2008, 18:06

L Tommo wrote:CUT THE FECK OFF!!! AND CUT THE THROATS OF THE CAR USERS!!

Jobs a good un... :lfo :cfo

Nice one brother Tommo see you've not lost any of your wit!

L Tommo · Post by **L Tommo** » 07 Feb 2008, 18:10

My Rightious BrotherMagrew.. Its very good to see your posts again.. Ive been away.. (Not loony bin) and had a rest from my rants as my meds were being changed.. Im now on the Rhino horn super duper knock out drops... They seem to be doing the trick!!!

OUT :lfo :cfo I still blame these two Monkeys!!

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 07 Feb 2008, 19:45

If someone lived say, 10 miles from their DO and their walk was in the middle, 5 miles from both locations, and they drive to the DO, drive to the start of their walk, then drive home, is this what you mean by car users? Or do you mean someone who literally takes their car around their walk?!
Sorry for being a dumb, new, part timer.
Also, what is meant by 'Get on the Vans'?