Constantly being moved off my duty...

[clockshopman]

Hi all,

Have a quick question - I recently got myself a single van duty after having a day off cover duty for two years where I was constantly moved around (to wherever the double mail was funnily enough). Anyway they've started taking me off my new duty again once every week or two, and moving me to other duties in the department that have double mail on them. It's pi**ing me off because that's the only reason I wanted the new duty, so they couldn't keep moving me around! Anyway I spoke to the union rep and he says they are allowed to do this as the needs of the business must come first. But the thing that annoys me is I seem to be the only person they are doing it to, nobody else in my section gets moved. So I get moved to the double mail and my own walk doesn't go out, meaning I come back to double mail the next day as well! Do you think I have the right to put a grievance in or do I not have a leg to stand on? Really annoying me this! Thanks a lot.

[SMS1969]

They tried this with me, on a duty I didn’t know, double mail and I also have a single duty. My reps view was different, in that you have a right to stay on your duty, as you have picked it for a reason- to stay on it. I refused anyway, they put reserves on it and they haven’t tried since.

[clockshopman]

They tried this with me, on a duty I didn’t know, double mail and I also have a single duty. My reps view was different, in that you have a right to stay on your duty, as you have picked it for a reason- to stay on it. I refused anyway, they put reserves on it and they haven’t tried since.

Interesting, thanks for that. They are moving me off my round again on Tues(checked the rota) so think I will refuse this time and see what happens!

[SkiSunday]

They tried this with me, on a duty I didn’t know, double mail and I also have a single duty. My reps view was different, in that you have a right to stay on your duty, as you have picked it for a reason- to stay on it. I refused anyway, they put reserves on it and they haven’t tried since.

Interesting, thanks for that. They are moving me off my round again on Tues(checked the rota) so think I will refuse this time and see what happens!

If your managers try blackmailing you with 'operational needs' then you need to do the double mail walk by the book. No corner cutting, SISO on the dot.

[stevejm]

They tried this with me, on a duty I didn’t know, double mail and I also have a single duty. My reps view was different, in that you have a right to stay on your duty, as you have picked it for a reason- to stay on it. I refused anyway, they put reserves on it and they haven’t tried since.

Interesting, thanks for that. They are moving me off my round again on Tues(checked the rota) so think I will refuse this time and see what happens!

If your managers try blackmailing you with 'operational needs' then you need to do the double mail walk by the book. No corner cutting, SISO on the dot.

Fill in a PMT for rubbish in the van. Another one for a dirty van - you forgot to put it on the first PMT. 10 mins on the toilet - you have constipation. Take out a trolley to support your back while doing the walk. Never ever cut across a yard. Walk at a good pace but not a manic pace as that isn't safe. They will soon find someone who has a healthier gut and back.

[tramssirhc]

Hi all,

Have a quick question - I recently got myself a single van duty after having a day off cover duty for two years where I was constantly moved around (to wherever the double mail was funnily enough). Anyway they've started taking me off my new duty again once every week or two, and moving me to other duties in the department that have double mail on them. It's pi**ing me off because that's the only reason I wanted the new duty, so they couldn't keep moving me around! Anyway I spoke to the union rep and he says they are allowed to do this as the needs of the business must come first. But the thing that annoys me is I seem to be the only person they are doing it to, nobody else in my section gets moved. So I get moved to the double mail and my own walk doesn't go out, meaning I come back to double mail the next day as well! Do you think I have the right to put a grievance in or do I not have a leg to stand on? Really annoying me this! Thanks a lot.

This is not a matter for the individual grievance procedure. Resourcing is a matter covered by the collective bargaining procedure. Your rep should be agreeing the resourcing at resource meetings. Constantly moving workers around duties without prior notice demonstrates the rep is not adhering to the procedure. It is reasonable to resource duties at short notice on the basis of the needs of the employer. This should be the exception not the rule. It is more than reasonable to give you two weeks notice of what you will be doing and the resource meeting should be agreeing rotas two weeks in advance.

[Walter sobchak]

Hi all,

Have a quick question - I recently got myself a single van duty after having a day off cover duty for two years where I was constantly moved around (to wherever the double mail was funnily enough). Anyway they've started taking me off my new duty again once every week or two, and moving me to other duties in the department that have double mail on them. It's pi**ing me off because that's the only reason I wanted the new duty, so they couldn't keep moving me around! Anyway I spoke to the union rep and he says they are allowed to do this as the needs of the business must come first. But the thing that annoys me is I seem to be the only person they are doing it to, nobody else in my section gets moved. So I get moved to the double mail and my own walk doesn't go out, meaning I come back to double mail the next day as well! Do you think I have the right to put a grievance in or do I not have a leg to stand on? Really annoying me this! Thanks a lot.

Do you stay out over your time to clear or clear 70%-80% of the rounds you are moved onto including your own?

[OikOik]

Ask yourself why the manager is moving you. Do you get the work done for them without any issue? They might see you as a weak link to ask because you're a yes man. If you don't take break, ensure you take it. Don't walk 100mph. Bring back whatever you don't get done.

[HTPostman]

Just to add to the other responses, I know someone constantly moved who’s party trick was to say they didn’t have much signal (a lot of duties at my old DO we’re rural) and obviously couldn’t get through to a manager to inform them they’d be bringing mail including tracked back.

Strangely enough they weren’t moved much after that. Not that I’m suggesting it, of course.

[TopperGas]

Hi all,

Have a quick question - I recently got myself a single van duty after having a day off cover duty for two years where I was constantly moved around (to wherever the double mail was funnily enough). Anyway they've started taking me off my new duty again once every week or two, and moving me to other duties in the department that have double mail on them. It's pi**ing me off because that's the only reason I wanted the new duty, so they couldn't keep moving me around! Anyway I spoke to the union rep and he says they are allowed to do this as the needs of the business must come first. But the thing that annoys me is I seem to be the only person they are doing it to, nobody else in my section gets moved. So I get moved to the double mail and my own walk doesn't go out, meaning I come back to double mail the next day as well! Do you think I have the right to put a grievance in or do I not have a leg to stand on? Really annoying me this! Thanks a lot.

This is not a matter for the individual grievance procedure. Resourcing is a matter covered by the collective bargaining procedure. Your rep should be agreeing the resourcing at resource meetings. Constantly moving workers around duties without prior notice demonstrates the rep is not adhering to the procedure. It is reasonable to resource duties at short notice on the basis of the needs of the employer. This should be the exception not the rule. It is more than reasonable to give you two weeks notice of what you will be doing and the resource meeting should be agreeing rotas two weeks in advance.

LOL two weeks notice, how does that work when postie's are leaving virtually weekly in my DO with just one week's notice and nobody can forecast when a postie is going to call in sick.

[tramssirhc]

Hi all,

Have a quick question - I recently got myself a single van duty after having a day off cover duty for two years where I was constantly moved around (to wherever the double mail was funnily enough). Anyway they've started taking me off my new duty again once every week or two, and moving me to other duties in the department that have double mail on them. It's pi**ing me off because that's the only reason I wanted the new duty, so they couldn't keep moving me around! Anyway I spoke to the union rep and he says they are allowed to do this as the needs of the business must come first. But the thing that annoys me is I seem to be the only person they are doing it to, nobody else in my section gets moved. So I get moved to the double mail and my own walk doesn't go out, meaning I come back to double mail the next day as well! Do you think I have the right to put a grievance in or do I not have a leg to stand on? Really annoying me this! Thanks a lot.

This is not a matter for the individual grievance procedure. Resourcing is a matter covered by the collective bargaining procedure. Your rep should be agreeing the resourcing at resource meetings. Constantly moving workers around duties without prior notice demonstrates the rep is not adhering to the procedure. It is reasonable to resource duties at short notice on the basis of the needs of the employer. This should be the exception not the rule. It is more than reasonable to give you two weeks notice of what you will be doing and the resource meeting should be agreeing rotas two weeks in advance.

LOL two weeks notice, how does that work when postie's are leaving virtually weekly in my DO with just one week's notice and nobody can forecast when a postie is going to call in sick.

Absolutely. There will be a need to cover short notice changes but that doesn't negate the agreed procedure.

[qw]

Used to happen to me all the time and still happens from time to time. I used to get angry about it but it really didn’t change anything apart from me just being angry!

I can’t do much about it I’ve been told. It normally won’t get all taken due to slower throwing off process but that’s their problem not mine.

[thefox]

They tried this with me, on a duty I didn’t know, double mail and I also have a single duty. My reps view was different, in that you have a right to stay on your duty, as you have picked it for a reason- to stay on it. I refused anyway, they put reserves on it and they haven’t tried since.

This is the case in ours also.

[scoobydo79]

This was tried with Me. I said fair enough but I want a rota drawn up to make sure every one gets move about also. Not just Me. Hasn’t happened since lol

[Shaugi]

I've not done my assigned duty for a few weeks as I've bene doing scanning for the new DPR system followed by oversized specials and my own duty tracked.
Some days the post has gone out with an agency, other days the RDC has taken it.
Saturday I took my own duty with 2 days of mail.

Other times I'm switched to a rural that I did when I first started cos the regular postie is on holiday and the reserves don't know the round. On those days I take the tracked and as much post as I can without inconveniencing myself. I'm not going down a single track country lane for 2 letters

Either way...you just do whatever duty you are put on.

We have a guy in the DO that stresses out over his duty not being covered or the cover not clearing. He whinges to managers and anyone else that will listen. All it does is make him stressed.

Save yourself the stress...just take out whatever you are put on, make sure the specials and trcked are cleared then do whatever post you get time for. Have your breaks, be back on time.
If that means your own duty is double bubble, again clear your specials, tracked and as much as you have time for. Have your break and be back on time.

If your duty is failing daily cos of excessive workload the managers will have to adjust the strategy...either give you help to clear or stop moving you.