Dedicated Parcel Duty breaks/welfare facilities

[Howsitcometothis77]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice and thought I'd give this place a try.

Been at RM since 96, done various roles but am now on a Dedicated Parcel Route duty.

Daily the outdoor workload ranges from anywhere between 5 and 6+ hours. There has been zero direction or agreement of duty structure by either RM or local CWU, so i have, as I had in my previous role, been taking my meal break around mid shift back at the D.O. I bring packed lunch as this is cost effective. Having my break back at D.O. also allows me to go to toilet and wash, as there has again been no direction or provision of any facilities whilst I'm outdoors.

There has been managerial opposition to this. I have been told to either take my break whilst I'm 'out there' or if 'I' choose to return to D.O.I should deduct the travelling time from my break. This second suggestion has been supported by local CWU channels.

Unlike foot delivery duties, which I appreciate are ever growing in size, There is at least for now, duty structure to allow reasonable opportunity to take part of break before going on delivery. I feel the guidance both RM and CWU are resorting to refers to outdoor duties that are not beyond 4hrs. Now that RM are implementing duties 5+ hours outdoor, the pressure is falling upon those individual duty holders to manage their own break facilities and time.

Does anyone have any experience of dedicated parcel duties working well and/or advice of what protections I have in the face of what potentially could be RM and CWU opposition?

Appreciate any suggestions thanks

[guardianangel]

The CWU are no more than a Royal Mail spokesman good luck with your problem your going to need it.

[qwerty2]

Start on your time
Take your full break
Finish on time
Ask your manager what to leave in or bring back
Go home and forget about these idiots (that includes the backstabbing union)

[hans solo]

Travelling to and from office should not be included in your break
If that were the case how could you return to office if you finish on time out on delivery

[hans solo]

And if they f**k you about return to office 1/2 hour later for toilet

[tramssirhc]

All opg's are entitled to the breaks laid out in the agreement. The arrangements for those breaks is a matter for agreement between the employer and the union. It would not be possible to deduct any travelling time from any break as you cannot work whilst taking your break. Driving is classed as working. There needs to be an arrangement agreed to facilitate the break you are entitled to. That may not be a break during the shift and could be a break before you leave for delivery and a break at the end of the duty. The working time regulations apply to all employees.

[hans solo]

And under work time regulations you do NOT take breaks at end of your shift or day

[heraldmoth]

And under work time regulations you do NOT take breaks at end of your shift or day

Or at your work station (van)

[qwerty2]

And under work time regulations you do NOT take breaks at end of your shift or day

Or at your work station (van)

Or at the start - but they say we take 10 mins before we go out!!

[heraldmoth]

And under work time regulations you do NOT take breaks at end of your shift or day

Or at your work station (van)

Or at the start - but they say we take 10 mins before we go out!!

Surely it’s accrued at 5 mins per hour worked so you would have to work 2 hours indoor to earn a 10 min break

[qwerty2]

And under work time regulations you do NOT take breaks at end of your shift or day

Or at your work station (van)

Or at the start - but they say we take 10 mins before we go out!!

Surely it’s accrued at 5 mins per hour worked so you would have to work 2 hours indoor to earn a 10 min break

I’m PT and have to take 10mins just after I start? That’s not right

[heraldmoth]

And under work time regulations you do NOT take breaks at end of your shift or day

Or at your work station (van)

Or at the start - but they say we take 10 mins before we go out!!

Surely it’s accrued at 5 mins per hour worked so you would have to work 2 hours indoor to earn a 10 min break

I’m PT and have to take 10mins just after I start? That’s not right

I’d be checking that, what point does that even serve

[heraldmoth]

And under work time regulations you do NOT take breaks at end of your shift or day

Or at your work station (van)

Or at the start - but they say we take 10 mins before we go out!!

Surely it’s accrued at 5 mins per hour worked so you would have to work 2 hours indoor to earn a 10 min break

I’m PT and have to take 10mins just after I start? That’s not right

I’d be checking that, what point does that even serve

Taking breaks

Employers can say when employees take rest breaks during work time as long as:

the break is taken in one go somewhere in the middle of the day (not at the beginning or end)
workers are allowed to spend it away from their desk or workstation (ie away from where they actually work)
It doesn’t count as a rest break if an employer says an employee should go back to work before their break is finished.

Unless a worker’s employment contract says so, they don’t have the right to:

take smoking breaks
get paid for rest breaks

[postieblueshirt]

PT staff in my office take there break roughly 15 minutes after there start time.Tell anyone outside of royal mail that and a quizzical look followed by laughter is the response.

[enskied]

Some of ours take it before their start time.