SENIORITY RULE..

[snoddy]

If we dont use seniority what should we use?

[krussel]

seniority is the only way forward otherwise the office manager picks all his favourites to get positions they should'nt get.

Or alternatively some lazy old tosser lands an easier walk purely on the basis that he's worked there longer.

The poor old tossers earned it in my book

Just an alternative viewpoint. Seniority doesn't neccessarily mean better.

It's not intended to be better, it is a reflection of length of service not ability.

Some call it a sentence

[smudger83]

Can I ask something about seniority - maybe for the people who have worked for royal mail for longer times. When you started, how long did it take to get your own walk? I'm assuming turn over of staff was less when people were happier at work, so did it take a long time even then before you had your own duty? I have found since joining royal mail, a couple of years ago, that although staff have left at my office, due to the reduction in hours they don't get replaced and therefore I haven't moved up the seniority rankings at all. I don't think I will ever get to a position of having my own duty, which although I don't mind swapping walks a lot, the thought of never having a proper rota which is done in advance is depressing to say the least. I know everyone has to do their time in the reserves team, just wondered how long and whether it is a longer or shorter time now than in previous times.

Thanks.

i started for rm in the early 80s, i had to wait over 2 years for my own walk, doing lots of others in between, and also being sent to the mlo on the times there were none for me.
seniority must prevail. i assume the people against it havnt been working for rm for very long. bide your time and you will see why this is so important

Wrong assumption I'm senior,I have my own walk but i can still see the flaws.
Seniority does not work in the same way it used to.
There are too many part-time walks in my D/O now and obviously they become vacant more often.
That means that a part-time member may only have 1-2 years service before they get there own walk.
Meanwhile we have F/T reserves waiting 7/8 years for a duty.
Another flaw is it tends to keep some of the senior men quiet when there are issues in the office.The "I'm alright Jack" mentality.
But i will say i see no viable alternative.

fishtank can you please explain what you mean by wrong assumption-its very easy to work out
part time duties go to part time reserves- most senior part time person gets first choice
full time duties go to full time reserves - a person on part time hours can not apply for a full time job and vice versa, so whats the prob with seniority.
it is not about full or part time, i work with people who have been part time for nearly 30 years, that is what they want

[smudger83]

seniority is the only way forward otherwise the office manager picks all his favourites to get positions they should'nt get.

Or alternatively some lazy old tosser lands an easier walk purely on the basis that he's worked there longer.

and what is wrong with this? should a "lazy tosser" whos just started get the easier walk instead, sounds a little bitter to me

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Ultimately with the current management structure in Royal Mail, and the fact that there is no independent or fair way of measuring one postal worker abilities, capabilities and work ethic against another which management can use without being accused of favouritism or nepotism, there is NO COMPLETELY FAIR SYSTEM.

Seniority, is in essence, the least unfair method available.

[Pat Ostman]

Ultimately with the current management structure in Royal Mail, and the fact that there is no independent or fair way of measuring one postal worker abilities, capabilities and work ethic against another which management can use without being accused of favouritism or nepotism, there is NO COMPLETELY FAIR SYSTEM.

Seniority, is in essence, the least unfair method available.

I think that summed it up brilliantly.

Personally I think the best person for the job, should get the job, which of course has been advertised properly. Sorry but seniority can be just as ridiculous if you step back and think about it.

surely hand picking staff is a form of Favourtism

Which is exactly what seniority is in a way - length of service does not make you the best as proven by some runners in our office.

How on earth can you think that way ?? that means every member of staff with Seniority is to shafted for someone hand-picked. I and along with others are quite capable of workin at the front desk.. Plus the staff that are P/T's some with 10 or more years service aren't to be moved up to F/T or even asked first. Vacancy's are there to be advertised along the correct procedures but sadly are being ignored.

I know what you are saying and you perhaps didn't catch my whole intention. What I was suggesting was that someone who has covered every walk in the office, knows the ins and outs can be beaten by someone who only knows one delivery for a full time cover duty because he was through the door a few weeks before.

Ok, extreme but I was pointing out the flaws in seniority, ultimately though TBT got it bang on, it's the best of a bad bunch but at the same time it does not make seniority perfect, far from it.

[lazyjack]

The problem i have with seniority is the guys who are at the top of the tree and think they are untouchable, And who also tend to just enough in their eyes without breaking sweat

[axeman]

And whats wrong with that ? as you get older (wiser) you too will realise that running about is simply not on the body tells you that with the aches and pains you get. Now why is it all the whingers are juniour bods ? jealousy , envy well tough. It's the best system devised and is by far the fairest yes dim doms would love to pick friends and family for the 'best' jobs if they were left to there own devices
As for being untouchable lets just say they are certainly wiser to royal fails ideals about staffing the jobs. and for the best part are doing the job properly !!!

[lazyjack]

And whats wrong with that ? as you get older (wiser) you too will realise that running about is simply not on the body tells you that with the aches and pains you get. Now why is it all the whingers are juniour bods ? jealousy , envy well tough. It's the best system devised and is by far the fairest yes dim doms would love to pick friends and family for the 'best' jobs if they were left to there own devices
As for being untouchable lets just say they are certainly wiser to royal fails ideals about staffing the jobs. and for the best part are doing the job properly !!!

I know what you are saying Axeman, but these guys aint that much older than me and sometimes love to rub your nose in it, Its more a case of, Oh look at me i'm more senior to you so i can just swan around and do less work than you

[Pat Ostman]

And whats wrong with that ? as you get older (wiser) you too will realise that running about is simply not on the body tells you that with the aches and pains you get. Now why is it all the whingers are juniour bods ? jealousy , envy well tough. It's the best system devised and is by far the fairest yes dim doms would love to pick friends and family for the 'best' jobs if they were left to there own devices
As for being untouchable lets just say they are certainly wiser to royal fails ideals about staffing the jobs. and for the best part are doing the job properly !!!

Not sure I agree with you but on the flipside I take it as you agree with it you are high up enough to benefit from it. Alongside Jealously and envy perhaps we should add being biased as well?

[dados]

the old hands in our D.O are on rurals,new boys get town walks,p/t get the rest, phg is the pinnacle of your career

[Exrep]

ohhhhhh yeah this is what im working towards PHG o my future is so bright its bringing a tear to my eye hanky anyone.

[fishtank]

the old hands in our D.O are on rurals,new boys get town walks,p/t get the rest, phg is the pinnacle of your career

I remember when it was,now it's just another shift in our office,and he has to do lapsing.

[solcat]

ohhhhhh yeah this is what im working towards PHG o my future is so bright its bringing a tear to my eye hanky anyone.

PHG I would'nt have the job!! I was indoor leading up to Christmas last year and it was barmy, I know it's different at other times but what they have to do in our Office inc. lapsing NO THANKS

[axeman]

Not sure I agree with you but on the flipside I take it as you agree with it you are high up enough to benefit from it. Alongside Jealously and envy perhaps we should add being biased as well?

I started at the botom and through time am now in the ..'enviable' position 'bias' is not a true reflection, but i have now earned the right. Those of you who at present are junior bods 'one day' you too will be a senior member of staff then you too will testify that it's the fairest system we have