DOING THE JOB RIGHT

[robert37uk]

hi everyone. im a little fed up today as im getting sick off my office. today at 9.30am i was told to hurry up sorting my work as my driver and another guy was waiting to go out on delivery, and i was holding them up. now what pisses me off is that i started at 6am normal time while 95 percent of the office started 30 mins earlier including these 2, so why the hell should i have to rush i also explained to the manager that i was due a break anyway,and was told that i should have that after my delivery. monday to friday my work time is 6am till 2-15pm. 2 things i wish to know am i allowed to have my break in the office and if i am at what time. and also what time are you supposed to leave the office to start your delivery. i hate to say it but im one of the very few who do the job right in my office, most come in early use cars no breaks and rush about like mad, so what chance have i got when the manager says it is inconvienient to others if i have a break before the start of my delivery as others want to go out and im holding them up. any advice welcome.

[montriff]

you should have at least half of your break in the office (20 mins) in fact i think it is against employment law for an employer to make you take your break after your shift

[shaunman]

You are entitled to your break at 9.20am - 10am, then you should be leaving office. Next time your manager asks you not to take your break till after your shift ask him for it in writing. You shouldn't rush, if the other guy is ready, then the driver can take him out, then come back for you after your break.

[Ahebban]

You are entitled to 40 minutes meal-break time each day. Some choose to take a part of that meal-break prior to going out on delivery (anything from 15-20 minutes would be considered the norm); the remaining time would be taken at some point during the delivery duty. It is generally accepted that no meal-break time can be taken on completion of your duty. As always there will be local variations to this.

You are doing nothing wrong as far as I can see, so I very much sympathise with your position. The job is frustrating enough with RM on your back, let alone having colleagues grumbling in the background too! What the DOM and colleagues are doing is tantamount to bullying and harassment. If you get no support from your Unit Rep there are a few options open to you:

1. Take your problem to the Area Rep for advice;
2. Contact the Bullying and Harassment Helpline;
3. Put in a grievance against the individuals who are directly involved in attempting to pressurise you.

Most important of all, keep a record of what is said etc; keep a cool head and don't let the bastards grind you down. Failing the above, and only then, you might look to transfer to a different duty within the office, or perhaps choose to seek a transfer to a different office altogether. A difficult decision to make in any circumstances.

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

for your info from

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ ... G_10029451" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rest breaks

Most workers have the right to take breaks, but whether or not you are paid for them depends on the terms of your employment contract. There are special rules about rest breaks for some types of worker - especially those working in the transport industry.

Types of breaks
You will normally have a variety of different breaks from work. These can be broken down into three types:

'rest breaks' - lunch breaks, tea breaks and other short breaks during the day
'daily rest' - the break between finishing one day's work and starting the next (for most people this is overnight between week days)
'weekly rest' - whole days when you don't come into work (for many people this will be the weekend)
The second and third types of break are almost never paid unless you have to remain 'on call', meaning you are available to work. The first type is often paid, but doesn't have to be unless your contract says so.

Contracts of employment How much break time do you get?
The amount of break time you get is usually agreed with your employer. It may be written down somewhere (eg in your contract of employment) or might just be part of your employer's standard practice.

Your employer must give you at least the rest breaks required by the Working Time Regulations. They must also ensure that your health and safety is not put at risk. This means that your employer might have to give you more than the amount set out in the regulations, if this reduces a health and safety risk.


Employers' health and safety responsibilities Young workers
If you are under 18 but over 'school leaving age', you are classed as a young worker and have different break allowances to adult workers. You are under school leaving age until the end of summer term of the school year in which you turn 16.

Young workers and working hours (young people section) Rest breaks - a break during your working day

If you are an adult worker (that is, over 18), you will normally have the right to a 20 minute rest break if you are expected to work for more than six hours at a stretch.

A lunch or coffee break can count as your rest break. Additional breaks might be given by your contract of employment. There is no statutory right to 'smoking breaks'.

The requirements are:


the break must be in one block

it cannot be taken off one end of the working day - it must be somewhere in the middle

you are allowed to spend it away from the place on your employer's premises where you work

your employer can say when the break must be taken, as long as it meets these conditions

[POSTMAN]

Grab hold of those who come in early and point them to RMC,we'll have some fun with them.

[robert37uk]

thanks for all the advice everyone

[EatMyShorts]

Dont rush for anyone.....Like you said you come in on your time so its not your problem , its the ones who are starting early and showing the job CAN be done

[bedfordrl]

I have often wondered ,these numpties that come in an hour before they are due,are they insured if they have an accident?.

I mean in reality they should not be on the premises and they are certainly not being paid.

[mclovin]

Yes, they are, according to both the manager and H and S rep.

[andy2007]

Yes. Insured, but selfish and short sighted!

[ghostgirl]

Well you might be insured for being on the premises early but I bet if you had an accident before your official duty start time that royal mail would do everything in their power to stop a claim against them by saying "well you shouldn't have been on the premises before your official start time"