Could someone explain...

[harry69]

...what is meant by lapsing and absorption? I'm fairly new to RM and see these two terms used frequently in the forum - would be interested to learn what they mean.

[clashcityrocker]

Lapsing is when a walk does not have a postman allocated to it. Instead the walk is covered by all or some of the rest of the office.
In theory this saves money. However in our office they usually have people in working their day off to create enough spare hours in the office to lapse.

[krussel]

Same as above with absorption. We cover 3 or 4 walks a day which are normally the ones that the postie is on hols. They used to be covered by a reserve but these jobs have now been saved from the budget (absorbed).

So as well as your own delivery you have to find some time to prep the other one. Once prepped the round is split between a few posties (normally 6-8) and you take your section out with your walk and deliver it before or after.

The idea is that you work all your contracted hours. If you think the extra will take you over your time you can refuse to take it or book overtime, if the dom is prepared to pay.

Pain in the arse really

[dblad]

They did it our office for the 1st time the other day, some took extra but a couple of us refused and just took our time getting round.

[madmax99]

An "Absorbed" round is a round where customers get a "piss poor" service.

Customers never have any idea when their mail will arrive or by whom it will be delivered. Redirections are missed, mail is often mis-posted, packets will probably arrive later than normal.

The only bonus they really have is that they hardly ever receive D2D's.

Maybe I'm just being cynical !!!

[smokerjim]

An "Absorbed" round is a round where customers get a "piss poor" service.

Customers never have any idea when their mail will arrive or by whom it will be delivered. Redirections are missed, mail is often mis-posted, packets will probably arrive later than normal.

The only bonus they really have is that they hardly ever receive D2D's.

Maybe I'm just being cynical !!!

They get their D2Ds, just nothing for a few weeks, then the whole shebang in one hit......and the postmen rarely get the payment, cos the lineos can't be bothered to keep tabs on who's has delivered how many d2ds

[clashcityrocker]

An "Absorbed" round is a round where customers get a "piss poor" service.

Customers never have any idea when their mail will arrive or by whom it will be delivered. Redirections are missed, mail is often mis-posted, packets will probably arrive later than normal.

The only bonus they really have is that they hardly ever receive D2D's.

Maybe I'm just being cynical !!!

Spot on really. I don't think you are cynical, you just don't appreciate the far-reaching impact of "modernisation"

[madmax99]

An "Absorbed" round is a round where customers get a "piss poor" service.

Customers never have any idea when their mail will arrive or by whom it will be delivered. Redirections are missed, mail is often mis-posted, packets will probably arrive later than normal.

The only bonus they really have is that they hardly ever receive D2D's.

Maybe I'm just being cynical !!!

Spot on really. I don't think you are cynical, you just don't appreciate the far-reaching impact of "modernisation"

I was joking about the cynicism and yes I do thanks.

[clashcityrocker]

I know you do, hence your post. I was being sarcastic.

[NewPostieUK]

Lapsing is when 40- odd vans (and some private cars) leave the DO within 10 mins of each other, all head to the same area of town, often two or more to the same street, and dash around like maniacs delivering to houses they've never been to before, don't know who lives there, don't know where dogs live, don't care about gates, gardens etc, then wheelspin away in different directions. Some walkers have to walk to the start of their walk, which could be miles away, after delivering to 10 - 15 houses, some hang around for lifts. Some vans have driven miles in the oppostite direction to their own duty.
The whole walk gets their post within 15 mins of each other, most never having had post so early before.
Customers find red vans blocking their drives, or can't get parked in their own street, for a 15 min period every morning.
The above is done during summer time (feb to nov) due to there being a 'lull' in work, ie less letters sent than at other times of the year. Some offices do year round, to make up for the drop in letters year on year. Allegedly.
The idea is to usilise all working hours, ie prevent postman from going home an hour early and getting paid for it. Unfortunately, walks aren't equal, so some still finish early, whilst others didn't have time to lapse in the first place.

[krussel]

The idea is to usilise all working hours, ie prevent postman from going home an hour early and getting paid for it. Unfortunately, walks aren't equal, so some still finish early, whilst others didn't have time to lapse in the first place.

Bang on

Thats the worse part of it If the managers actually "managed" they could see who got back an hour early each day and give the extra to them. But of course that would mean stopping on themselves, which of course they wont do

[fishtank]

The idea is to usilise all working hours, ie prevent postman from going home an hour early and getting paid for it. Unfortunately, walks aren't equal, so some still finish early, whilst others didn't have time to lapse in the first place.

Bang on

Thats the worse part of it If the managers actually "managed" they could see who got back an hour early each day and give the extra to them. But of course that would mean stopping on themselves, which of course they wont do

Managers are not as stupid as they look.Lapsing/absorbtion has feck all to do with utilising your paid hours.
They know it is better to encourage people to come in early,skip their meal relief,do some lapsing and still leave the office early and finish early.
That way the truly stupid think they are still scoring.

[smokerjim]

The idea is to usilise all working hours, ie prevent postman from going home an hour early and getting paid for it. Unfortunately, walks aren't equal, so some still finish early, whilst others didn't have time to lapse in the first place.

Bang on

Thats the worse part of it If the managers actually "managed" they could see who got back an hour early each day and give the extra to them. But of course that would mean stopping on themselves, which of course they wont do

Managers are not as stupid as they look.Lapsing/absorbtion has feck all to do with utilising your paid hours.
They know it is better to encourage people to come in early,skip their meal relief,do some lapsing and still leave the office early and finish early.
That way the truly stupid think they are still scoring.

And it justifies increased absorption, reduced office budgets and continued ( management grade only ) "performance" bonuses year on year.

[floydy]

I have hand on heart NEVER lapsed once, but i'm always amazed to see people coming in early just too absorb more work

[OnAFlyer]

Managers are not as stupid as they look.Lapsing/absorbtion has feck all to do with utilising your paid hours.They know it is better to encourage people to come in early,skip their meal relief,do some lapsing and still leave the office early and finish early.
That way the truly stupid think they are still scoring.

Agreed on that point.

As for the rest, well it depends if you're bothered about working hard and being at home rather than strolling around until 3pm every day I suppose.