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Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
WCH
Posts: 23
Joined: 20 Aug 2010, 20:53
Gender: Male

Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by WCH »

Hi guys, first time poster long time reader :)

I've been with Royal Mail two years now, i left school as soon as i could and got a job with a company i thought would be a good source of income that allowed me to finish at a time where i could enjoy the rest of my day even after doing a hard days work. I've met some great people through my job and in my office and it's brilliant working around a bunch of old punks! (PUNKS NOT DEAD! :D)

But for the past year or so my eyes have been truly opened. It should probably be mentioned now that i am the youngest member in my office. I work overtime nearly every day apart from Tuesdays, i constantly get crap from my managers to the point where i can no longer think "Just smile at the sad prick and give him his power trip", my office is full of runners and early starters,the union representation is non-existant (No support, didn't appear at the picket line etc.) and we are forced into Starbursting (I believe you all call it "lapsing"? Taking out a part of another walk to do before you start your own?) every single damned day no matter what the traffic and D2D is like.

I have tried my damndest time and time again to make a stand, i am not one to take shite without a sarcastic grin or comeback but i simply cannot win. I recently brought up with my manager the overtime issue and he simply lectured me on how my current walk was his old one and how he ran round it and finished before his time everyday. This was years ago! The general consensus within my office is also that this manager was a lazy bastard when he was a postie and that his time keeping and attendance was atrocious, yet he is constantly bragging of how good he was to a sea of rolling eyes! But, i cannot get any support, i'm never allowed to cut off despite following procedure because everyone else comes in early and runs round their walks so all the management say is "Swings and roundabouts mate, so-and-so is busier than you but they can cover it all" but so-and-so was in an hour before me even though they should start at the same time as me!

You should probably take this time to make yourself a cup of tea because i'm not done. :Boo hoo!

I have a life outside this job. A life that has been affected time-and-time again by Royal Mail. I was forced to quit boxing a year ago due to an injury sustained last winter but no sooner was i out the hospital that i was getting pushed to go back out on a walk! I managed to remain at the gym but i am, effectively, unable to box, my progress at the gym was also greatly hindered by this injury and i have only recently gotten better from where i left off.

Recently i suffered another injury to my left Trap. muscle which affected both my neck and the left side of my back, i was referred to a physio through Royal Mail who checked both sides of my back. Funnily enough my right side was, and i quote, "in absolutely superb condition" but my left, the one i hang the bag on, was in the same condition as a pensioners might be!
The physio deduced that it was the bag, he also told me i was in great physical condition and that, despite my injury, had not to neglect my general fitness but simply had to stop lifting weights for a while, which was fair enough. As soon as i returned to work though i was met by a barrage of bullying and harassment, constant snipey comments and insults from management which eventually culminated in, and i'm not making this up, the manager telling me that he had a friend at my gym who was watching my every move and reporting back to him!

I'm sorry if this post was too erratic and long to take in and if you've read this far then i thank you deeply, but i am at the end of my tether, i don't know what to do and these revisions are making me extremely anxious because i am in an office that doesn't cut off at all. I don't want to be delivering until 5 at night!

What can i do? What options do i have? Any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

-WCH :)
TeeferTiger
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 2783
Joined: 22 Dec 2008, 13:56
Gender: Female
Location: Welsh Wales

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by TeeferTiger »

It's an all too familiar story I'm afraid.

After my AOD, I refused to carry a bag as it made my injury worse/made the injured bits hurt again so I've been happily using a trolley since. Well, the first trolley was a golf one with the bags attached with cable ties because "they didn't have the clips" despite months of asking. When I asked what I do with the trolley when I have to go indoor/upstairs to some places I deliver to, I was told to take the bags in with me!! Then I was told it was OK to leave them outside with the trolley while I nipped inside to deliver :crazy: If they ask me to use that trolley again, I'm asking for it in writing what I'm meant to do with the trolley when I have to leave it.

Anyway, I digress. The only advice I can give you, although I can't say I'm not guilty of ignoring that too, is not to let them grind you down. Do your job as Royal Mail stipulate you are to do it. Take your breaks, don't take short cuts, don't rush (although I'm not saying dawdle either!) and cut off if you need to.
Does this rag smell of chloroform to you?
WCH
Posts: 23
Joined: 20 Aug 2010, 20:53
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by WCH »

I actually missed a part out Laydee, it turns out i was also incorrectly trained. I was brought in 2 hours before i was supposed to start the day i was learning how everything worked and was sent out with a runner, i was definately shown the "ideal" way to do the job but cutting off was something i only ever heard of when i came on this forum. I kid you not, i'm 2 years in this job and still know about as much as i did after 2 days :(
noggin1969
Posts: 1321
Joined: 13 Oct 2009, 17:28
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by noggin1969 »

You have a start time and a finish time ,
Last edited by noggin1969 on 01 Feb 2024, 21:13, edited 1 time in total.
wiganpostie
Posts: 670
Joined: 09 Mar 2010, 20:16
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by wiganpostie »

It says it all really. A young, fit boxer chappy struggling in the job. Our next revision will probably require the use of one of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fotfUEUCE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
TeeferTiger
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 2783
Joined: 22 Dec 2008, 13:56
Gender: Female
Location: Welsh Wales

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by TeeferTiger »

And I'm sure I've raised this point before, but they want more women in the job so they can be seen as equal ops etc and yet they make the job so physically demanding by increasing the outdoor delivery times and expecting you to carry more and walk faster. I'm not saying all women are feak and weeble but we, biologically, do not have the same physical strength or endurance. RM are wanting Mums to come work for them while the kids are at school etc, it's not gonna happen as they'd like it to!

Also, their staff turnover and sick must've increased by a helluva lot recently, which will be costing them money, so why haven't they cottoned onto that?
Does this rag smell of chloroform to you?
Lincox
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 3485
Joined: 09 Jan 2008, 18:07
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by Lincox »

I have a 7 hour a day contract. I work during those hours according to Royal Mails rules and safety standards. I walk to my own personal stride pattern and physical ability. I no longer get stressed as there is no need to rush around as I now realise that at best I will only be saving 30 minutes of time, but now no longer feel totally fatigued. When those seven hours are up, I and no one else decide whether I have had enough for the day. If I want to finish the walk and be paid overtime I will do it. No manager will tell me that I have to do overtime. That is my decision. All I can say is wake up and get back your pride and dignity and make the job as easy as you can for yourself, and stop worrying about what other tw.ts are prepared to do.
noggin1969
Posts: 1321
Joined: 13 Oct 2009, 17:28
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by noggin1969 »

well said Lincox :Applause :Applause :Applause
WCH
Posts: 23
Joined: 20 Aug 2010, 20:53
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by WCH »

I'm always willing to take the managers head on but i'm not armed with enough knowledge about the job and correct procedure to effectively combat their constant bullshit, is there anyone i can call in for help who isn't my office Union rep? (who i believe is off AGAIN this week because he had a bad curry or something... :roll: )
london sub
Posts: 397
Joined: 29 Jan 2009, 16:24
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by london sub »

You say that you have a life outside this job well do what you want to do out with your contracted hours...its not all about working for royal mail 12 hours a day. Stop doing the overtime unless you really need it. Don't take any crap from any of the management and no matter how old you are you have a mouth use it and tell them enough is enough.

If i were you i would go in tomorrow see how busy the mail is and if things are starting to build up just tell the dom that your working to your time and not a minute past it. If he says its not busy you just reply by saying yes it is, and ask him what he wants you to do about the situation. Dom might ask you to downstream the mail and thats fine because the more time you spend doing that the less outdoor work you have to do. Or leave some streets behind but sometimes they never go for that alternative. Keep on doing that everyday and the mail will start to build up but don't let that worry you...its the doms job to sort these problems out not you thats why they get paid more than us.
jack
Posts: 299
Joined: 28 Aug 2007, 14:32

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by jack »

What i don't understand is - what motivates these human beings into wanting to become Royal Mail managers anyway, because they don't manage really - there a cross between a dictator and bully.

How rewarding it must be forcing people to work over their time, they must really feel proud of themselves on their way home. Who in the right mind would want to keep pressuring people to do more work for less or even nothing - they need to hang their heads in shame :evil/mad

It's obvious they take their orders from above - but can't they tell their superiors that now and again you can't achieve the unachievable? or do they get a buzz out of constantly harassing people?

WCH f**k um, if you don't want to work over don't do it, i don't.
'Royal Mail leaders could not lead a worm, they'll never take our pride cos that's what we earn'
krussel
Posts: 5300
Joined: 26 Jan 2009, 18:03
Gender: Male
Location: Out on the streets.

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by krussel »

WCH wrote:I'm always willing to take the managers head on but i'm not armed with enough knowledge about the job and correct procedure to effectively combat their constant bullshit, is there anyone i can call in for help who isn't my office Union rep? (who i believe is off AGAIN this week because he had a bad curry or something... :roll: )

Firstly iam sorry your stuck in an office which sounds like its driven by the runners and early starters so your half finished before you try :sad: Do you have an area rep, could you get his/her phone number and give a call and pretty much explain everything in your first post?

As to the fitness aspect although you are young and fit it does seem that you maybe pushing yourself a little too hard. Maybe try a couple of weeks without overtime and perhaps cut down in the gym to give your body some rest time, just an idea. :Very Happy

Lastly welcome to the Forum mate :wave and by reading some recent posts you are no doubt aware everyone is feeling the pressure these days so your not on your own. :sad:
Rows of houses all bearing down on me........I can feel their blue hands touching me.......All these things in all positions.........All these things will one day take control..........
bahtatter
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 29
Joined: 10 Sep 2010, 17:20
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by bahtatter »

Krussel is right go above your union reps head and speak to your area rep its a nightmare situation but happens all the time and will keep happening. But be strong cut off and speak to your area rep, if you dont want to work over you dont have to. Good luck mate.
london sub
Posts: 397
Joined: 29 Jan 2009, 16:24
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by london sub »

jack wrote:What i don't understand is - what motivates these human beings into wanting to become Royal Mail managers anyway, because they don't manage really - there a cross between a dictator and bully.

How rewarding it must be forcing people to work over their time, they must really feel proud of themselves on their way home. Who in the right mind would want to keep pressuring people to do more work for less or even nothing - they need to hang their heads in shame :evil/mad

It's obvious they take their orders from above - but can't they tell their superiors that now and again you can't achieve the unachievable? or do they get a buzz out of constantly harassing people?

WCH f**k um, if you don't want to work over don't do it, i don't.
One word springs to mind "bonus"!

Doms can be told what ever they like from above but its all about the savings, the targets and who can do the overtime for them.
WCH
Posts: 23
Joined: 20 Aug 2010, 20:53
Gender: Male

Re: Bullied, Harassed, Forced into Overtime, the usual...

Post by WCH »

Just finished texting a colleague of mine, i'm going to get the area reps phone number tommorow morning, i'm also going to get in, go to my frame and, if it's absolutely jumping with mail, grab the first senior i see to use as a witness when i drop the bomb to the manager that i'm not working over my time (for like the 1,000,000th time :roll: )

Apparently the Area Reps a bit of a staunch Union madman, supposed to be really good. BUT, and there's always a bloody big BUT in my office when things seem to be going right, he's apparently fed up of dealing with my office because of the amount of runners and early starters, general feeling seems to be he's banging his head against a brick wall.

Wish me luck eh? :arrrghhh