Mate of mine having a hard time....

[gerardy]

Tell her to talk to the union rep from your office.
Check to see what it says on her contract.
Ask the managers why they extended her trail period if she has done nothing wrong.
Maybe they extended her trail period because further down the line they intend to do away with the duty and hope that if no'one has that duty they can save 20hrs within the office.

[bedfordrl]

This is typical of the s**t that is flying around at the moment, they come up with unworkable ideas and then pressurise the staff into making the unworkable workable.

I had a chap burst into tears because they will not leave him alone,making him work his days off and he is under a lot of pressure at home,which they are aware of, and to my surprise when i told management to lay off of him they got nasty back.
Not only am i a union rep but also the DRAW rep,for what it is worth as we have not had a meeting for four years, so my warning to them should had a little impact.
What the hell is going on?.

[morleyposty]

Hi
A friend of mine started at my DO last July on a 20hr contract. She was told that she would just come in, collect the first bag, then start the delivery. It has ended up in her having to finish the prep, any missorts, do the redirections and bag up, all within 4 hrs!!! The delivery on its own takes 3hrs 30mins inc travel time. The managers are always moaning when she books over and have extended her trial period. She is getting depressed and is thinking of quitting! Anyone else on a 20hr contract, having the same problems?

im on 20hr contract aswell.
i too have to finish the prep, any missorts, do the redirections and bag up etc.
i start at 9 and usually am the last ones out of the door by 10:15 give or take. im on different walks almost every day and am finished walk by around 2pm but i do book 30mins break and 10mins poach off as O/T.
i have not been moaned at by the dom yet...

is she on the same walk every day?

[rockytony67]

Doesn't say anything in her contract about the details of the job, don't think it does in anybody's. The union rep has spoken to her and the DOM. She is having an interview next week with a line manager, then a few days with a trainer so she can speed up?? The managers just don't understand that it physically cannot be done within the time. She does the job properly, uses a bike. Is there any documentation that details how long the bagging up process should take? Usually takes her around 30-40 mins, to do the redirections and bag up. I could then get her to show this to the manager, maybe increase her hours......

This is from the way forward agreement

21.5 JOB DESCRIPTION

Every job will have its own Job Description, which must contain the following features:

The work area(s) that the duty relates to.
Employee start/finish times per day and time of transfer from one work area to another, where an employee is working in more than one work area.
Starting activity (so that employees know what task to start on when the move into a Work Area.)
Full range of activities throughout the shift.
Performance Standards, which incorporate Appropriate Relaxation Allowances.
Total attendance time (gross)
Meal Relief times to ensure that the agreed Royal Mail standards are applied across the Business.
The Duty Number.
The date of the last amendment.

When she goes in for her interview tell her to ask for a job description and say she wants it in writing.

[DGP1]

Overtime in not compulsory and if it is done then it must be paid (illegal withholding of wages) so I'd tell your friend that to tell the DOM/lino that they cannot work past their 4 hours and what do they want to do about it. It is probably best to take along the union rep. to have a witness.

I've done double preps and I never leave work to be done (I don't bundle up because different people like to do it their own way) so it seems that the manager can't organise his staff.

[resperin]

thing is you cant have a set time time for tying up/redirections. some have more redirections, and others have more letters which makes tying up take alot longer. i.e. i found tying up on a double frame with alot of resedential homes to be quicker than a single frame
it could take alot longer than 40mins to do everything

[TeeferTiger]

That's right. Some days it could take 15 mins to bag off my old round. Other days it could take over 30 mins. But in my mind, if you're meant to just come in, bag off and go out, you shouldn't be finishing prep/redirections etc. When it's happened to me I've gone in and asked the manager who's going to finish the prep. I also got reprimanded for leaving kill offs on the frame one day. Told the line manager that I only come into to bag off and deliver, not tidy up after people because they can't be arsed to do their job properly.

[Quiet but strong]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the input. All this hassel is almost making me ill!! I just dont know why they wont just sit down and listen to my side of the story.
I mean when i started, the royal mail were preaching that their company was all about good comunication,helping employees, positive thinking etc. Well ive seen none of that from anyone in a management /supervisory role. All i get is moaning, and negative comments.
Even being seen speaking to the union rep leads to one or other of them complaing to me that i shouldnt talk to the union rep at all, i should see management first! Why the heck have we got a union then if we have to pass everything through them first??!!!
Anyway, im just going to ty and go with the flow for now and see what kind of feedback i can get from this 'supposed' planned interview ( i dont know when exactly it is going to happen, as previous attempts to speak to them have been cancelled or Just 'fobbed off' due to it being too busy that day). I feel that i am being completely victimised by them, with no valid reasons as to why, as i ( and all of my customers on the walk that ive been doing regiularly since october) feel that i complete my job in an efficient, proffesional mannor. Never late, no complaints, back at DO on time etc. The fact that they didnt even acknowledge to me that my trial period had been extended, just shows how much they obviously dont care as much as they CLAIM to about rules and procedures. If i had not of chased it up myself, by going above them and contacting H.R. then i probably would have been on a trial period and basic wage forever!! I feel that this is very unfair and totally UNNECESARY!!!!
Any help/ comments etc from anyone in similar position will be greatfully appreciated.
Bye for now

[montriff]

This happens to every part-timer in my office ,nearly every full timer has gone or on the way out by 9.45 ,and we are left to finish what they should of done .I have my own walk (im part time for personal reasons) and have complained about this to management and union reps since SD came in years ago and what do they do ? EFF ALL

[dvbuk55]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the input. All this hassel is almost making me ill!! I just dont know why they wont just sit down and listen to my side of the story.
I mean when i started, the royal mail were preaching that their company was all about good comunication,helping employees, positive thinking etc. Well ive seen none of that from anyone in a management /supervisory role. All i get is moaning, and negative comments.
Even being seen speaking to the union rep leads to one or other of them complaing to me that i shouldnt talk to the union rep at all, i should see management first! Why the heck have we got a union then if we have to pass everything through them first??!!!
Anyway, im just going to ty and go with the flow for now and see what kind of feedback i can get from this 'supposed' planned interview ( i dont know when exactly it is going to happen, as previous attempts to speak to them have been cancelled or Just 'fobbed off' due to it being too busy that day). I feel that i am being completely victimised by them, with no valid reasons as to why, as i ( and all of my customers on the walk that ive been doing regiularly since october) feel that i complete my job in an efficient, proffesional mannor. Never late, no complaints, back at DO on time etc. The fact that they didnt even acknowledge to me that my trial period had been extended, just shows how much they obviously dont care as much as they CLAIM to about rules and procedures. If i had not of chased it up myself, by going above them and contacting H.R. then i probably would have been on a trial period and basic wage forever!! I feel that this is very unfair and totally UNNECESARY!!!!
Any help/ comments etc from anyone in similar position will be greatfully appreciated.
Bye for now

If it is any consolation you have joined RM at a particularly difficult time. Managers themselves are facing an uncertain future and have been told to pick up the pace. Overtime is a particular target at the moment and so anyone (well except for the chosen few) are being criticised for booking excess - you should not take this personally - there is every justification for you booking overtime. The one thing you should ask for is a copy of the work plan for your duty, which was formerly known as the 318, that is specific to what you should be doing at any time throughout your 4 hour work span - no duty should have been signed off by a rep unless that is in place.

[postghost]

.

[andy2007]

Dvbuk55, since the Pay and Modernisation farce came in. We've had to do "other meaningful work" (basically anything that they think of) in the RDCs, during any slack periods that may arise. If it's the same in the DOs, then that might be how they're trying to justify this disgusting treatment.

Specifically: They may be working on the premise, that there is enough slack time in the Duty to cover the extra work. Despite the fact that those actually doing the work, know that, that is simply a fantasy.

If that's the case. Then it's probably good, that they are doing these tests, and re-training. As it will still be impossible, and their own evidence will prove that!

[dvbuk55]

Dvbuk55, since the Pay and Modernisation farce came in. We've had to do "other meaningful work" (basically anything that they think of) in the RDCs, during any slack periods that may arise. If it's the same in the DOs, then that might be how they're trying to justify this disgusting treatment.

Specifically: They may be working on the premise, that there is enough slack time in the Duty to cover the extra work. Despite the fact that those actually doing the work, know that, that is simply a fantasy.

If that's the case. Then it's probably good, that they are doing these tests, and re-training. As it will still be impossible, and their own evidence will prove that!

That is true but it is aimed at full timers who have a slack period between IPS and being allowed to leave on delivery - so it is important to ensure that as much break time as possible is taken prior to leaving for delivery.

[stokes11eg]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the input. All this hassel is almost making me ill!! I just dont know why they wont just sit down and listen to my side of the story.
I mean when i started, the royal mail were preaching that their company was all about good comunication,helping employees, positive thinking etc. Well ive seen none of that from anyone in a management /supervisory role. All i get is moaning, and negative comments.
Even being seen speaking to the union rep leads to one or other of them complaing to me that i shouldnt talk to the union rep at all, i should see management first! Why the heck have we got a union then if we have to pass everything through them first??!!!
Anyway, im just going to ty and go with the flow for now and see what kind of feedback i can get from this 'supposed' planned interview ( i dont know when exactly it is going to happen, as previous attempts to speak to them have been cancelled or Just 'fobbed off' due to it being too busy that day). I feel that i am being completely victimised by them, with no valid reasons as to why, as i ( and all of my customers on the walk that ive been doing regiularly since october) feel that i complete my job in an efficient, proffesional mannor. Never late, no complaints, back at DO on time etc. The fact that they didnt even acknowledge to me that my trial period had been extended, just shows how much they obviously dont care as much as they CLAIM to about rules and procedures. If i had not of chased it up myself, by going above them and contacting H.R. then i probably would have been on a trial period and basic wage forever!! I feel that this is very unfair and totally UNNECESARY!!!!
Any help/ comments etc from anyone in similar position will be greatfully appreciated.
Bye for now

Please do not let this get you down as hard as it may be!!

I am in a very similair situation (posted a thread in blue shirts about this today)

The managers are a law unto themselves and have no regard for their workforce, only their bonuses.

Do not feel obliged to "go to managment first"
You are correct. The union is there for a reason. I just hope that you find more help in the union than I ever did.

Remember, you work to live - not the other way around. Do not let this situation control your life (I have been there)
Think of all the things that you have to be thankful for in life and refuse to let RM compromise your personal time outside of work.

STAY STRONG AND BEST OF LUCK - KEEP US UPDATED!!

Just politely remind them that you were told things would be prepped up ,having told you this, it does become part of the contract-wether they like it or not. And always remember you can go to tribunal for a ruling without leaving your job.
I wonder who they would believe? good Luck

[GROOSTER]

I started last Monday on a 20 hour a week contract and it already seems a pointless length of contract. If all walks are supposed to be 3.5 hours by the time you add on your 20 minute break and travelling time you have already reached 4 hours! I shadowed a full time postie for 3 days then covered the walk on my own from Saturday. For the 2 days so far I have spent about an hour doing the final part of the prep and bagging up with the actual delivery taking me 4.5/5 hours. Obviously I will hope to speed up the delivery part as quickly as possible but still see that it will be necessary to claim extra hours for the indoor work that has to be done especially as I will have to put the D2Ds in the frame when I cover a walk for a full week.So far everyone has been fine and I have been told to claim o/t for all the extra hours that I do but I am wondering how long this will last.What are everyone eles's expriences/opinions?