Absorpbtion ......

[ashadd]

Do we have to take our absorpbtion out with us at the onset of our walk, or do we leave it in the office untill we have finished and come back to the office and THEN deliver it.? is it our choice? or the managers as to what we do. or is there a set agreement?

[BlueEspresso]

In my office it depends on where it is compared to yr duty etc.. sometimes whole absorbed duty done at once first by all going out in van, other times its as we suit before after, tea time etc... as long as its done basically!

[clashcityrocker]

The walk we absorb has a lot of secure entries.
Some fly bastards do their bit after their walk knowing full well they won't get in and won't deliver any mail - leaving 2 days mail for the poor sod the next day.
The DIM DOM doesn't seem to have cottoned on.
There are no rules it is just anarchy.
The poor sods who live on the walk don't have a clue what is happening.Some days they get their mail at 8.30am, the next day at 4pm.
Piss up and brewery spring to mind.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Do we have to take our absorpbtion out with us at the onset of our walk, or do we leave it in the office untill we have finished and come back to the office and THEN deliver it.? is it our choice? or the managers as to what we do. or is there a set agreement?

There is no official guidance on absorption and how to do it except for the usual "As directed" clause that managers use, and the within scheduled hours etc.

[Ahebban]

The only matter that need concern you regarding 'absorption' is that you have a 3.5 hour delivery span (town duty). At which point in the delivery you do the 'absorbed' mail is your choice, but if you feel it will take you beyond your 3.5 hr delivery span let DIM DOM know before you leave the office that you may not complete. At our DO any 'extra' is done at the completion of our normal delivery duty assuming we have spare time ( ) to do so.

[ashadd]

What i am trying to find out, is whether the managers can MAKE YOU take it out with you. If you say you cant do it in your time and that you will come back and take it then, is that ok? Because if you take it with you and you cant do it and have to bring it back , then who takes it then?
I have always been led to believe that you leave it in the office then come back and do it when you have finished your own walk.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

What i am trying to find out, is whether the managers can MAKE YOU take it out with you. If you say you cant do it in your time and that you will come back and take it then, is that ok? Because if you take it with you and you cant do it and have to bring it back , then who takes it then?

My take on it is that you advise the manager that with the combined workload you will be unable to complete and then let him make the decision. If he says take it out and do it first this means that there will be less you will be able to do on your own duty. If he says leave the absorption then its for him to worry about who does it not you.

I have always been led to believe that you leave it in the office then come back and do it when you have finished your own walk.

A lot of people are under that impression at my office as well, however there is, as with many other things, nothing in black and white in the P&M07 agreement and its left up to local practices or agreements. Sorry

[AndyK]

It is agreed that the best way to ensure that the lapsing element of Phase 3 of the pay and Modernisation Agreement is done fairly and equally the following will apply in all Delivery Offices in the North West Region;

• Weekly resourcing meetings are mandatory and will be prescheduled.

• The issues to be discussed are cover for planned absence in the following two weeks, any staffing problems that arose in the previous week and contingency plans to avoid recurrence of problems.

• In addition to the above the DOM & Rep will meet each morning to discuss the unit absence /daily traffic figures and any unforeseen staffing issues.

• Based on the above conversations and anticipated office departure time both parties will agree what lapsing opportunities that are on the day based on the plan agreed in the mandatory resourcing meetings.

• If the arrival profile dictates that the unit cannot lapse to the agreed level the manager and rep will discuss how to resource any uncovered duty.

• The measure is the office departure time - v - planned departure time, eg if the planned time is 09.30 and the unit will leave at 08.30 then there are obvious lapsing opportunities. As per Phase 3 Pay and Modernisation agreement (All paid work hours will be utilised) equally if the departure time is on or after the planned time the level of lapsing opportunities will not be available. In this event the DOM and Rep will work together to cover off any USO issues.

• DOMs and Reps can agree the fairest way of doing this. This agreement is not about forcing people to work over their time it is about working all paid hours.

• To comply with the spirit and intent of the agreement opportunities for increased A/L will be explored and honoured where there is scope to do so. This includes short notice leave requests.

In summary, lapsing will take place as per the national agreements where time permits and within normal duty hours. This agreement is about common sense and working together to ensure there is fairness and equity and that all duties are covered wherever possible

No answer there then