Newbie help. How long are walks supposed to be and cuttoffs

[cyberheater]

I need your help.

I've started (around 2 months ago) with Royal Mail as a P/T on a 27.5 hr contract.

I'm having a lot of issues completing my walk on time. If I go over 2:00pm then I have to arrange additional child care for my two kids which cost me around £30 for the day. Obviously I don't want to go over the time but it's impossible for me to complete the walk in the time given.

I should start at 8:30am but I generally get in around 7:45am ( I know, I can here the groans from here) just to try to get out early.

As I understand it. The frame is meant to be prepped ready for me at 8:30am. Even with me helping, that seldom happens and it's usually after 9:00am before the frame is completed. I then box off which takes me around 45mins. I don't get to leave the office until after 10:00am.

Then it takes me 15-20mins to drive (in my own car) to the duty and drop my bags off at the stop boxes etc... I eventually start my walk around 10:30am - 11:00am depending on how long the prep time has been at the sorting office. I meant to finish at 2:00pm so that gives me 3 - 3.5 hours to finish walk.

The walk itself takes around 5 hours to complete and thats with me walking as fast as I can, and taking no breaks. The guy that did it before me used to run parts of it.

I've told the manager that I don't want to work past my time but they say they've got no cover. They (the management) recognise that it's a 'long walk' and the previous guy has spoken to the management and admitted that he only completes on time 'cause he 'beasts' it around.

What can I do? What are the rules around the walk time and should the drive time to get to the walk be taken into consideration.

[milesy]

it doesnt matter if they have no cover mate if you can't complete you can't complete. don't fall for a sob story because they won't think twice about having you over. whats your finishing time with and without your break on?

[knackeredneedadayoff]

the simple steps are,1, dont go in your car ,its there job to get you there and back by whatever method 2,tell the manager you are not prepared to work over because of child care issues 3,tell him you will have to cut off and leave some of the round if its too big. 4,take no crap if he has a problem see your rep.

[noggin1969]

You work 8

[morleyposty]

Come in on your start time @ 8.30

[fishtank]

I need your help.

I've started (around 2 months ago) with Royal Mail as a P/T on a 27.5 hr contract.

I'm having a lot of issues completing my walk on time. If I go over 2:00pm then I have to arrange additional child care for my two kids which cost me around £30 for the day. Obviously I don't want to go over the time but it's impossible for me to complete the walk in the time given.

I should start at 8:30am but I generally get in around 7:45am ( I know, I can here the groans from here) just to try to get out early.

As I understand it. The frame is meant to be prepped ready for me at 8:30am. Even with me helping, that seldom happens and it's usually after 9:00am before the frame is completed. I then box off which takes me around 45mins. I don't get to leave the office until after 10:00am.

Then it takes me 15-20mins to drive (in my own car) to the duty and drop my bags off at the stop boxes etc... I eventually start my walk around 10:30am - 11:00am depending on how long the prep time has been at the sorting office. I meant to finish at 2:00pm so that gives me 3 - 3.5 hours to finish walk.

The walk itself takes around 5 hours to complete and thats with me walking as fast as I can, and taking no breaks. The guy that did it before me used to run parts of it.

I've told the manager that I don't want to work past my time but they say they've got no cover. They (the management) recognise that it's a 'long walk' and the previous guy has spoken to the management and admitted that he only completes on time 'cause he 'beasts' it around.

What can I do? What are the rules around the walk time and should the drive time to get to the walk be taken into consideration.

There are too many question to give a definative answer.
Does your office have an agreement in place for longer delivery spans?
If not it should be 3.5 hours and no more.
Is this the walk you were placed on when you started?
If so it is completely unsuitable for training purposes.
Is your manager telling you that you cannot finish on your time?
If so he is bang out of order.
But the best advice i can give you is.
a.Join the union if you have not already.
b. Speak to your rep.

[cyberheater]

Thanks.

I've seen the expression 'cutting off' but now sure what that means.

If I out on my duty and it's getting near 2:00pm and I have undelivered items. What do I do? Do I return them to the sorting office and should I factor in the time it takes me to get back to the sorting office so that I finish at 2:00pm.

I really like the actual job. Just can't handle the constantly going over and the effect it has on childcare costs.

[gj1023]

Thanks.

I've seen the expression 'cutting off' but now sure what that means.

If I out on my duty and it's getting near 2:00pm and I have undelivered items. What do I do? Do I return them to the sorting office and should I factor in the time it takes me to get back to the sorting office so that I finish at 2:00pm.

I really like the actual job. Just can't handle the constantly going over and the effect it has on childcare costs.

You have tell your line manager before you go out that you cant complete and will not work over your time and ask what he wants to do about it . It is then up to them to tell you what they want you do . Ie take out so much or take out all and cut off, this allows them to plan ahead to deal with your cut off. When you come back you report to the manager what you have left , if you took it all out and cut off.

[cyberheater]

There are too many question to give a definative answer.
Does your office have an agreement in place for longer delivery spans?
If not it should be 3.5 hours and no more.

Not sure about the longer delivery spans but they (the management) keep on saying that it's a 4 hour walk. Does the 3.5hours factor in the time it takes to get to the walks?

Is this the walk you were placed on when you started?
If so it is completely unsuitable for training purposes.

Yes. It is the walk I was placed on when starting.

Is your manager telling you that you cannot finish on your time?
If so he is bang out of order.

Not exactly using those words but he and the admin is putting on a lot or pressure saying that I should be able to complete on time. They said that they were going to have someone come out with me to test me. Then backed down at the last minute. I've no idea why.

But the best advice i can give you is.
a.Join the union if you have not already.

Did that online today.

b. Speak to your rep.

I'll speak to him tomorrow.

[cyberheater]

Come in on your start time @ 8.30

I know I should and will probably start doing that soon.

[cyberheater]

You have tell your line manager before you go out that you cant complete and will not work over your time and ask what he wants to do about it . It is then up to them to tell you what they want you do . Ie take out so much or take out all and cut off

Do you mean just finish the duty early and then return the undelivered mail. And should I factor in the time it takes me to get back to the office?

[gj1023]

You have tell your line manager before you go out that you cant complete and will not work over your time and ask what he wants to do about it . It is then up to them to tell you what they want you do . Ie take out so much or take out all and cut off

Do you mean just finish the duty early and then return the undelivered mail. And should I factor in the time it takes me to get back to the office?

You have a start and finish time , that is it no more or less. You do all you can of your duty in this time and what cant be done is left with the manager to sort out. Yes getting to and from your dly is part of your duty time , the same as your meal break before you go out. What ever you do cover your back and inform the manager if you can not complete in the time you have .

[packmule]

Just take enough to complete up to your time, inc travel back to DO
Don't try to pull a fast one and spin it out or they will have you.

The only way they will look at a walk is if it continually goes over . So just start at right time, do not use your own car for delivery and finish at right time.

If everyone did this it would grind to a stop, as it only runs by the goodwill of postal staff towards customers not management. and maybe then it would all be sorted out once and for all, but it wiill never happen

[fishtank]

"They said that they were going to have someone come out with me to test me. Then backed down at the last minute. I've no idea why."

I know exactly why,he's full of sh1t,knows the duty is too long and thinks he can bully you into doing what he wants.

[Pegman]

Thanks.

I've seen the expression 'cutting off' but now sure what that means.

If I out on my duty and it's getting near 2:00pm and I have undelivered items. What do I do? Do I return them to the sorting office and should I factor in the time it takes me to get back to the sorting office so that I finish at 2:00pm.

I really like the actual job. Just can't handle the constantly going over and the effect it has on childcare costs.

As I understand it, if you know you cannot complete and you will be cutting off, you have to tell a lino or your DOM, BEFORE you leave, this is to give them chance to cover it, or deliver a portion of it themselves, but your Rep should tell you all this anyway.
On the subject of cars, did you know Police in some areas have spot checked Posties to see if they have insurance for usig their cars for work.