Cutting off due to personal circumstances

[postghost]

Have a family member who is terminally ill at the moment.

What would happen if I was in the middle of my delivery and recieved a phonecall to say the worst has happened?

I have been told that if mail is taken out of the office, it MUST be delivered.
This was reiterated at a union meeting we had some time ago, but I am curious what the OFFICIAL union stance is on this.

Is this another "grey area" like the door to doors?? I dont believe there is not an official legal document regarding this predicament in any form, but no one I have spoken to is at all clear about it.

The manager could simply turn round and say "I dont have anybody spare" as he has done to people at my DO who have had to finish early due to circumstances at their childs school.

If any rep has a link to an official CWU document or ltb on this matter, I would greatly appreciate it.

If not, I would respectfully ask why not?

[k979aaa]

Postghost I know this seams hard but blood is thicker than water and if push came to shove fu*k the firm and do what it right and proper!.

[postghost]

Postghost I know this seams hard but blood is thicker than water and if push came to shove fu*k the firm and do what it right and proper!.

Couldn't agree more and I will do so when the time comes.

I just want to have my bases covered.

As i said, I have heard of some pretty heartless events from colleagues in similair situations.

[k979aaa]

Postghost I know this seams hard but blood is thicker than water and if push came to shove fu*k the firm and do what it right and proper!.

Couldn't agree more and I will do so when the time comes.

I just want to have my bases covered.

As i said, I have heard of some pretty heartless events from colleagues in similair situations.

This is just a job family come first most tribunals will see that but i doubt royal will but they always are on the sharp practice side!.

[fmrPOSTIE]

You would hope that common sense would prevail if this happened. Any DOM who forced someone to work through deserves to be sacked immediately IMO.

[tiredwalker]

You would hope that common sense would prevail if this happened. Any DOM who forced someone to work through deserves to be sacked immediately IMO.

Unfortunately common sense does not exist in RM in most offices mine especially. When I have to finish on my time its normally to pick the kids up from school 20mins after my finish time. My managers don't care about that and would rather threaten wilful delay if I don't take everything out and get finished on time. This is what is happing to me at the moment. I am on a new duty so not fully up to speed yet (so the saying goes). I have been given extra summer lapsing work on the duty which is 4 miles away from my current duty so I not only require lift to and from own duty but to the lapsing part also. 30 minutes break about 30-45mins prep to get ready to leave office (D2D's, Re-directions tie up etc..), that does not leave even 3 1/2 hours for actually delivery and they wonder why I want to finish on my time. I have on a couple of times been late by upto 30minutes for picking my eldest up from school but RM do not care one little bit. Luckily i'm a governor at her school so ringing up letting them know I will be late has not been a major headache for either party but its not the point. My 25 hours are 9:45-14:45 Mon, Wed-Sat so I should be entilled to work that if thats all I want. They employed me on a part time 25hr contract they should face the consequences thats that what I actually want and not assume I actually want full time like a lot of partimers do, but telling them this just gets twisted that i'm being awkward and argumentative. Now they have decided to walk test me by comparing weight of mail and delivery points missed based against the time i'm out on delivery to show i'm too slow. I'. not saying i'm fast but I am far from slow and work a steady safe pace following RM's and CWU rules to the letter (And there lies RM's problem) the rules don't matter to them when they want to save money. Anyway i'm going off topic a little.

As long as you know you are doing things right if you want to finish and can take the c**p that will be thrown back at you stand your ground as what has been said already blood is thicker than water and family must come first every single time.

[Wiltshireboy]

In 2006 my mum was terminally ill. I was lucky that my brother, could take as much time off as was needed, for running back and forward to the hospital, etc.
When it came down to the last few days,(literally!) I told the office what was going on, and I would be at the hospice, till it was all over.
I had been away 3 days, when my mobile went off, and it was the office wanting to know when I was coming back!! We had the usual few sickies away from work at the time, but I was the one with terminally ill mother, and I was being chased up as to when I would return!!
In my opinion, F**k the company, You have to break off, break off!!

[k979aaa]

You would hope that common sense would prevail if this happened. Any DOM who forced someone to work through deserves to be sacked immediately IMO.

Unfortunately common sense does not exist in RM in most offices mine especially. When I have to finish on my time its normally to pick the kids up from school 20mins after my finish time. My managers don't care about that and would rather threaten wilful delay if I don't take everything out and get finished on time. This is what is happing to me at the moment. I am on a new duty so not fully up to speed yet (so the saying goes). I have been given extra summer lapsing work on the duty which is 4 miles away from my current duty so I not only require lift to and from own duty but to the lapsing part also. 30 minutes break about 30-45mins prep to get ready to leave office (D2D's, Re-directions tie up etc..), that does not leave even 3 1/2 hours for actually delivery and they wonder why I want to finish on my time. I have on a couple of times been late by upto 30minutes for picking my eldest up from school but RM do not care one little bit. Luckily i'm a governor at her school so ringing up letting them know I will be late has not been a major headache for either party but its not the point. My 25 hours are 9:45-14:45 Mon, Wed-Sat so I should be entilled to work that if thats all I want. They employed me on a part time 25hr contract they should face the consequences thats that what I actually want and not assume I actually want full time like a lot of partimers do, but telling them this just gets twisted that i'm being awkward and argumentative. Now they have decided to walk test me by comparing weight of mail and delivery points missed based against the time i'm out on delivery to show i'm too slow. I'. not saying i'm fast but I am far from slow and work a steady safe pace following RM's and CWU rules to the letter (And there lies RM's problem) the rules don't matter to them when they want to save money. Anyway i'm going off topic a little.No it is not and so much for royalmail the family friendly employer!. :cfo

As long as you know you are doing things right if you want to finish and can take the c**p that will be thrown back at you stand your ground as what has been said already blood is thicker than water and family must come first every single time.

[postghost]

Many thanks for the replies and support people.

Whilst I am grateful for the responses, I do find it slightly alarming that given I have posted this on the UNION board........there is as of yet, no clear clarification or documentation on "cutting off" made available by a union rep.

I hope that over the next dew days, something OFFICIAL from the union will appear on this board.

[redman]

I am a DOM and if as has happened a member of staff got a phone call to say some member of there family was rushed to hospital, I would immediately arrange for the mail to be recovered and find someone else to deliver it. I would also ensure the Postman/Lady had the means to get home or to the hospital.

I am struggling to believe any other DOM would do different. I totally believe family come first, well above the necessity to deliver mail. Genuine cases should always be treat with the utmost respect. The main problem I can see is the piss takers who lose a Granny every year, we have them in my office and it seems they have a dozen or so Grandmothers and Grandads. These are only a few and lots people lose close reletives while still at work and its not a pleasant time for them and when this happens their place is at home with the family.

[savo]

Fair play to you Redman

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Excellent post Redman - and I tend to agree all but the most heartless employer would go the extra mile in these circumstances and help the employee as much as possible.

Postghost - I have to be honest there is only 1 agreement on cutting off and it does not cover such exceptional circumstances. You may be best explaining your situation to the DOM and Rep and hope that they will do the moral thing.

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[stokes11eg]

Much as it pains me to say something good about 'DE MANAGEMENT"-I have had a couple of those situations over the years, and they have arranged for someone to come and take my mail. so. Well done redman.

[postghost]

Many thanks TBT!!

[fmrPOSTIE]

I am a DOM and if as has happened a member of staff got a phone call to say some member of there family was rushed to hospital, I would immediately arrange for the mail to be recovered and find someone else to deliver it. I would also ensure the Postman/Lady had the means to get home or to the hospital.

I am struggling to believe any other DOM would do different. I totally believe family come first, well above the necessity to deliver mail. Genuine cases should always be treat with the utmost respect. The main problem I can see is the piss takers who lose a Granny every year, we have them in my office and it seems they have a dozen or so Grandmothers and Grandads. These are only a few and lots people lose close reletives while still at work and its not a pleasant time for them and when this happens their place is at home with the family.

Blimey, a DOM's broke cover.......

I agree with everything you say redman, esp. on your point about the piss takers. I also find it unbelieveable that a DOM wouldn't relieve the postman in question. I don think there is an example of this??