New Routine

[thevardinator]

Due to my normal round lapsing I now require a ride out in a van to another one about 2 miles away, as walking to it would take me around 1 hour.

The problem is: Due to my round being lapsed, I still have to travel to do a bit of my usual round (which is 5 mins away) to deliver half of a road before I can start the other round I have been put on.

By the time I have arrived back from the first bit (luckily I managed to get a lift out today, had to walk back to the office though), all vans are out on delivery and I standing around like an idiot waiting for a manager to find me a ride out, and he hardly puts it at the top of his priorities either.

When I finally do manage to get a ride out its usually well past 10am, and I just about manage to start the round by 10:30.

It's not a bad round, so I managed to get done for 1:30, considering its the first time I'd done the round too.

I phone the office, "Oh there are no vans to bring you back, walk back".

GUESS WHAT! About 2 minutes later, I'm lucky enough to catch a van going past, who I manage to flag down and get a lift back. Why do the management lie, they've done this before to me, there are vans out there, but they won't get one out to me.

I'm going to end up going well over my hours every day at present, think I need to speak to the union guy, but we haven't got one in for the rest of the week, he's been off for nearly 3 weeks now! Add to that they want me to come in even earlier and prep the entire job up now, I'm getting fed up of being ragged around. Can't I just ask for my normal job to be unlapsed and get back on there?

[steviemac]

if you're full time then can't argue unless you go over your hours , if part time claim for it.

[POSTMAN]

1st why do you come back to the office.

2nd depending on the answer,DEMAND a lift back or cut off early to get back IN DUTY TIME.

[thevardinator]

I was told by the manager to walk out and do the first part, then come back to the office to pick up the rest and get a lift out.

The problem is that both rounds are a long distance from each other so I can't take it all out at once.

I've heard a lot about cutting off, Is that where you bring mail back if you go over your time? I've brought mail back before when I went over my time and was dragged in the office and told not to do it again and that all mail must be delivered or I'll be getting a warning. I explained the situation and it fell on deaf ears.

I probably sound like an idiot and should be standing up for myself more in these situations.

[POSTMAN]

Answer these,AND have you spoken to your rep. was dragged in the office and told not to do it again and that all mail must be delivered or I'll be getting a warning.

1st why do you come back to the office.

2nd depending on the answer,DEMAND a lift back or cut off early to get back IN DUTY TIME.

[smokerjim]

I was told by the manager to walk out and do the first part, then come back to the office to pick up the rest and get a lift out.

The problem is that both rounds are a long distance from each other so I can't take it all out at once.

I've heard a lot about cutting off, Is that where you bring mail back if you go over your time? I've brought mail back before when I went over my time and was dragged in the office and told not to do it again and that all mail must be delivered or I'll be getting a warning. I explained the situation and it fell on deaf ears.

I probably sound like an idiot and should be standing up for myself more in these situations.

The SOP for cutting off is BEFORE going out on delivery, grab a manager ( in front of a witness, such as a rep or a workmate that will back you up if needed ), and say to him "I do not think I will be able to deliver all my mail within my duty time - what would you like me to do, complete and book overtime, or cut off?" Use those exact words ( obviously, if you feel like you want to finish on time, don't give him the option ), force him to make a decision, rather than leave you to it, and if he starts putting pressure on you to complete if do not want to, ask him, where it says you are compelled to work beyond your hours ( or if you have the front, ask for it in writing that he is telling you to work beyond your time ).

Finally, if they want you to come in early ( and you're ok with that ) then do it....as long as you do it for 13 straight weeks, then that will be your "de facto" start time and if they try to change you back after 13 weeks, put in a grievence via your rep ( and if he is still not there, get in contact with your area rep )....it's all there in law ( that's how a lot of latrer start times were forced through - not enough put in grievences, myself included )

[thevardinator]

I hope the rep is back in soon, he's got to sort this out. I'm losing all faith in the job.

I really don't understand all this lapsing lark, why on earth are 10 people doing one round? (The round that I was on until last week). Why couldn't I have just stayed on my round and everyone else on theres, I really don't get lapsing at all, I must be thick.

I just want to do one round, whatever it may be, I just dont like having to go out and do half a road and then come back to the office and start another full round, whilst waiting around for a lift.

The only time I should be coming back to the office is once I've finished my round to bring back any letters/packets I couldnt shift. Its starting to wind me up outside of work and I'm starting to lose all hope in pathetic management.

[calpsy]

[quote="thevardinator"]Due to my normal round lapsing I now require a ride out in a van to another one about 2 miles away, as walking to it would take me around 1 hour.

The problem is: Due to my round being lapsed, I still have to travel to do a bit of my usual round (which is 5 mins away) to deliver half of a road before I can start the other round I have been put on.

Why does it take you and hour to walk 2 miles ??

[thevardinator]

Due to my normal round lapsing I now require a ride out in a van to another one about 2 miles away, as walking to it would take me around 1 hour.

The problem is: Due to my round being lapsed, I still have to travel to do a bit of my usual round (which is 5 mins away) to deliver half of a road before I can start the other round I have been put on.

Why does it take you and hour to walk 2 miles ??

Well I've just checked and it's 2.6 miles.

Still it takes an hour, mainly hilly terrain.

[banddy]

I was told by the manager to walk out and do the first part, then come back to the office to pick up the rest and get a lift out.

The problem is that both rounds are a long distance from each other so I can't take it all out at once.

I've heard a lot about cutting off, Is that where you bring mail back if you go over your time? I've brought mail back before when I went over my time and was dragged in the office and told not to do it again and that all mail must be delivered or I'll be getting a warning. I explained the situation and it fell on deaf ears.

I probably sound like an idiot and should be standing up for myself more in these situations.

The SOP for cutting off is BEFORE going out on delivery, grab a manager ( in front of a witness, such as a rep or a workmate that will back you up if needed ), and say to him "I do not think I will be able to deliver all my mail within my duty time - what would you like me to do, complete and book overtime, or cut off?" Use those exact words ( obviously, if you feel like you want to finish on time, don't give him the option ), force him to make a decision, rather than leave you to it, and if he starts putting pressure on you to complete if do not want to, ask him, where it says you are compelled to work beyond your hours ( or if you have the front, ask for it in writing that he is telling you to work beyond your time ).

Finally, if they want you to come in early ( and you're ok with that ) then do it....as long as you do it for 13 straight weeks, then that will be your "de facto" start time and if they try to change you back after 13 weeks, put in a grievence via your rep ( and if he is still not there, get in contact with your area rep )....it's all there in law ( that's how a lot of latrer start times were forced through - not enough put in grievences, myself included )

where does the de fact agreement exist?

i've never heard of this before - have you got a link to it?

[steviemac]

if it's over a mile you either need a bike or accellerated out , change you delivery to start at the top of a hill and walk down. Keep pouches to around 8kg on hilly sections(5kg if really steep or flats) insist on right equipment ie HCT or get driver to meet you with pouches as and when, if he/she is constantly late then you have a reason for claiming or cutting off. All the above advise from above posts is CWU/RM agreed and has no room for doubt or mis understanding, use the H&S rep if union rep not available.

[smokerjim]

I was told by the manager to walk out and do the first part, then come back to the office to pick up the rest and get a lift out.

The problem is that both rounds are a long distance from each other so I can't take it all out at once.

I've heard a lot about cutting off, Is that where you bring mail back if you go over your time? I've brought mail back before when I went over my time and was dragged in the office and told not to do it again and that all mail must be delivered or I'll be getting a warning. I explained the situation and it fell on deaf ears.

I probably sound like an idiot and should be standing up for myself more in these situations.

Finally, if they want you to come in early ( and you're ok with that ) then do it....as long as you do it for 13 straight weeks, then that will be your "de facto" start time and if they try to change you back after 13 weeks, put in a grievence via your rep ( and if he is still not there, get in contact with your area rep )....it's all there in law ( that's how a lot of latrer start times were forced through - not enough put in grievences, myself included )

where does the de fact agreement exist?

i've never heard of this before - have you got a link to it?

There is no agreement for it between RM & CWU - it is enshrined in law, it would be a change to your employment contract "by implication" ( magic phrase ), ergo, if the employer has asked you to start at 5am instead of 7am, and they have maintained this for 13 weeks, and you have acceeded to that change for those 13 weeks, your new start time will in future be 5am.

[ronpetetrevchris]

You have every right to return to the office after the delivery. DONT say you want to pouch off, all that means is that they can leave you out in the middle of nowhere without a way of getting back. They MUST get you back to the method you use to get home ie your car!

Tell the management how much you can take out (everything included, travelling etc...) and dont take the rest out.

Traveling back to office IS their responsibility, if they dont get you back by van then walk, and what you went over that day, tell them you will leave additionally the next day (flex)(they will soon find you a lift back). If before you leave they tell you they cant get you back tell them you will be walking back and leave delivery to the amount of time that it will take you to walk back (again they will find you a lift).

I have been through all the above when i stopped using my car, threats will come and threats will go but you have to remember you are in the right.

[bogstandard]

I hope the rep is back in soon, he's got to sort this out. I'm losing all faith in the job.

I really don't understand all this lapsing lark, why on earth are 10 people doing one round? (The round that I was on until last week). Why couldn't I have just stayed on my round and everyone else on theres, I really don't get lapsing at all, I must be thick.

I just want to do one round, whatever it may be, I just dont like having to go out and do half a road and then come back to the office and start another full round, whilst waiting around for a lift.

The only time I should be coming back to the office is once I've finished my round to bring back any letters/packets I couldnt shift. Its starting to wind me up outside of work and I'm starting to lose all hope in pathetic management.

firstly whats wrong with you trying to sort this out, why is it your reps job.
It is clear that you dont understand lapsing.
why have you taken everything on your shoulders and believe its all your reps job to sort out, ffs, just do what you are asked to do. i've said it before, you must give them (management) the chance to muck up, and let them do it. you cannot presume their failure which on past experiances is more than likely guaranteed. it must happen
i.e. leaving you out on delivery and you walk back
Now you are in a position to book the extra, also you now have a documented history of management failure and from then on are in a position to stop delivering significantly earlier (than you would do normally if you had transport) in order to return to your office in time to sign in all your stuff and go home at the end of your duty.

[Patrick Clifton]

firstly whats wrong with you trying to sort this out, why is it your reps job.
It is clear that you dont understand lapsing.
why have you taken everything on your shoulders and believe its all your reps job to sort out, ffs, just do what you are asked to do. i've said it before, you must give them (management) the chance to muck up, and let them do it. you cannot presume their failure which on past experiances is more than likely guaranteed. it must happen
i.e. leaving you out on delivery and you walk back
Now you are in a position to book the extra, also you now have a documented history of management failure and from then on are in a position to stop delivering significantly earlier (than you would do normally if you had transport) in order to return to your office in time to sign in all your stuff and go home at the end of your duty.

Surely thats a bit of a daft comment. If he is paying union dues, surely this enables him to seek guidance from the rep?!