Casual hours - what does this mean practically?

[Lineker10]

Hi all - ive got a job interview on Weds for a Casual Mail Sorter at my local sorting office. Im currently unemployed so i would really like to get this job but have a few questions and would appreciate any info you lot have! Firstly, what does the job actually entail - stadning at a table and putting mail into piles for 8 hours? The main thing i really could do with knowing is what exactly casual engagement means. This is what it says on the RM advert -

Contract length:Casual

Hours of work:Various over five attendance patterns

Does anyone have any idea how many hours this entails, does it mean id only have a job for so long before being shown the door? There really isnt alot of info and i dont want to accept a job that turns out to be 12 hours a week or something like that - i really need full time, at least 25+

Thanks alot for any help!

[SexyLegs]

Ask for clarification over hours at the interview......if it doesn't suit you then don't take the job, or just take it and continue to seek alternative employment elsewhere!

[Lineker10]

Ask for clarification over hours at the interview......if it doesn't suit you then don't take the job, or just take it and continue to seek alternative employment elsewhere!

Yeh thats my plan if the hours are part-time, i was just hoping people who already work as sorters could give me some advice on what the job entails and the hours that are generally given. Might just have to wait and see.

[POSTMAN]

Come on MC guys,give the guy some info.

[Wild Cat]

You will be called in at short notice to cover staff absence and may not see regular employment for long periods,I would not rely on this as a means of earning a living and you would be better off training to get a better job that requires a skill.

The job is straight forward enough it is the politics and RM management that are the problem.

[Lineker10]

You will be called in at short notice to cover staff absence and may not see regular employment for long periods,I would not rely on this as a means of earning a living and you would be better off training to get a better job that requires a skill.

The job is straight forward enough it is the politics and RM management that are the problem.

I was really hoping this wasnt the case - im not prepared to take a job that might end up being 0 hours per week. Still - i'll clarfiy at the interview and if that is the case ill just leave it, hopefully not! Thanks for the help so far!

[andy2007]

You will be called in at short notice to cover staff absence and may not see regular employment for long periods,I would not rely on this as a means of earning a living and you would be better off training to get a better job that requires a skill.

The job is straight forward enough it is the politics and RM management that are the problem.

I was really hoping this wasnt the case - im not prepared to take a job that might end up being 0 hours per week. Still - i'll clarfiy at the interview and if that is the case ill just leave it, hopefully not! Thanks for the help so far!

I (like many of my Collegues) started out as a Casual. Although in my case it was at an RDC, which is similar to a Mail Centre, but mainly dealing with Business Post. Things may have changed since then, but we could only be kept on as a Casual for a maximum of 13 weeks, and a couple of times, I had to change shifts/locations at virtually no notice. But I was working a minimum of 20 hours every week (mostly 40 hours).

I hope this helps.

[mjw]

Casual will probably mean you'll work on a day to day basis otherwise it''d be a temporary fixed term contract, you'll cover for holidays I expect and short term employment unless you're lucky, imagine a Xmas casual but during the summer.

[raikkonen85]

lineker10 you have no chance of a 25 hour contract. if its like our DO guys have been waiting 5 years to get more contract hrs. but my dad works in the MC hes a driver contract 20 hours. but he works 50 hrs a week usually as they haev cut alto of ppl at the MC and given the work to the drivers. lame.