Prep Tests

[Cknmonster]

Exactly what prep tests can RM management do? Our managers have been testing people on EVERYTHING that they do during the time in the office. Prep time, toilet time, tie up time, loading time and break times have all been logged on a sheet, worked out to however the management see fit and then used as a tool to threaten and bully. Also, some of the most experienced posties have been forced to do IPS tests lasting well over half an hour with the same outcome. Seems a bit out of order to me especially as the results are being used to threaten people with the sack....

[joband finishlol]

Why dont they go the whole hog and test the duties from start to finish,may be they want to get finished before 4.We had a spell in our DO where they were prep testing left,right and centre but the bitter sweet irony of it all was the 20 minute queue at the registered locker ,after your prep,that they turned a blind eye to.

[heston]

is your area rep aware/why is he not stopping it.see unit rep make complaint to area rep,,watch the outcome...

[Cknmonster]

Thanks. Unit rep is not interested. Might have to see about contacting area rep though.

[Big Daz]

How can the rep stop it? If RML want to do it they will, its not in breach of employment law so away RML go with the prep tests.

The rep should be telling the maangers that the only agreed test is the 1 min test and ask why the manager is using a unagreed method but ignoring a agreed method. The rep could also point out that BT2010 wants a better relationship.

That said its what happens after the test thats important.

[fishtank]

How can the rep stop it? If RML want to do it they will, its not in breach of employment law so away RML go with the prep tests.

The rep should be telling the maangers that the only agreed test is the 1 min test and ask why the manager is using a unagreed method but ignoring a agreed method. The rep could also point out that BT2010 wants a better relationship.

That said its what happens after the test thats important.

That's not really enough in my opinion Daz.
If a manager is testing individuals using unagreed methods and performance standards that is simply harassment.
If you believe that a rep can't stop harassment of members then there really is little hope for us.

[Postal1]

How can the rep stop it? If RML want to do it they will, its not in breach of employment law so away RML go with the prep tests.

The rep should be telling the maangers that the only agreed test is the 1 min test and ask why the manager is using a unagreed method but ignoring a agreed method. The rep could also point out that BT2010 wants a better relationship.

That said its what happens after the test thats important.

That's not really enough in my opinion Daz.
If a manager is testing individuals using unagreed methods and performance standards that is simply harassment.
If you believe that a rep can't stop harassment of members then there really is little hope for us.

Exactly, why be in the union i they don't step in a protect people from this harassment.
Mind as Daz said, i'd like to see what they do after all the huff and puff of testing you?

[fishtank]

Exactly, why be in the union i they don't step in a protect people from this harassment.
Mind as Daz said, i'd like to see what they do after all the huff and puff of testing you?

That's the problem though,management have no intentions of doing anything after the tests,,,they know they can't do anything with the results.
It is the testing itself and the threat of testing that is being used to harass members and that is why it should not be allowed to happen in the first place because by then the damage has been done.

[enzio]

what is the point of prep testing ? i mean if you fail all royalmail can do is try to get you up to standard. i want to know what happens if the hole office was to fail what would they do.

[westham67]

fail a prep test and will be rewarded, (well sort of)its seems within RM if you are no good at your job you will be given an easier one,As i have learnt RM are not after people with skills! but more like a yes sir person who will take anything thats thrown at them, until they have had enough,Seniority seems to rule whether you you can do the job or not, At least weve got the machines but they cant put letters through doors!(yet)

[POSTMAN]

Fail a 1 min test? Because that's all they can give you.

[POSTMAN]

Thanks. Unit rep is not interested. Might have to see about contacting area rep though.

Get a new rep ffs.

[Big Daz]

Ok

The rep says to the DOM dont do prep tests , the DOM says sorry but I am going to continue to do them. Rep registers stage 1 no deal so it goes up to stage 2/3 still no joy. What then other than wait for CWU HQ to get Higson to put a communcation asking managers not to do prep tests? That should have happened a long time ago and certainly could have been part of BT2010.

Sod the manager and his/her counting of mail and fancy formulas if were going to get scared because of that then good heavens above what a bunch of pansys we are. Its what the manager does once he has his sums all worked out thats the issue. Does the manager maintaina sense of civilviilty or does he go on the ramapage?

A prep test is a data gathering exercise from which the data can be used for benign purpoes or not so benign. A employmnet tribunal is not going to find anything wrong with a prep test but may well take issue with what mangement have done to the OPG post prep test once they have their data.


Ive been prep tested a few times, but the world didnt come to a end and when I asked the DOM how much time I needed to shave off my prep to meet the figure he was looking for it was a measley 10 mins.

Moving on to performance in general


A sensible and civil and fair process is needed if a OPG falls below the required standard having allready shown he/she can work to the required standard and the required standard must be realistic to start with. Do we have a CWU/RML agreement for such a thing? Somebodys work standatrd could drop for all manner of things including issues within the workplace that the DOM might need to tackle such as B and H or excessive banter. Personal problems outside of work could also impact.

[fishtank]

Sod the manager and his/her counting of mail and fancy formulas if were going to get scared because of that then good heavens above what a bunch of pansys we are. Its what the manager does once he has his sums all worked out thats the issue. Does the manager maintaina sense of civilviilty or does he go on the ramapage?

A prep test is a data gathering exercise from which the data can be used for benign purpoes or not so benign. A employmnet tribunal is not going to find anything wrong with a prep test but may well take issue with what mangement have done to the OPG post prep test once they have their data.

Maybe it's the area you work in Daz or maybe you are lucky with your managers but you completely miss the point of these unagreed tests.
There is NO benign reason to use a throughput test on an OPG...it proves absolutely nothing to management because the figures used are averages and contain far too many variables but the most important point is...even the dumbest manager knows this.
The test itself is the tool and the threat of it usually follows on from an OPG being told they have a "performance issue"....after cutting off.
It's all very well YOU calling people "pansys" for feeling harassed by this procedure but you know the rules,are not in their shoes,not on a temporary contract and as a rep unlikely to face the kind of bollox that many members experience....but as a rep it's your job to make sure that management know that you will use every avenue open to you to protect your members from harassment.

The rep says to the DOM dont do prep tests , the DOM says sorry but I am going to continue to do them. Rep registers stage 1 no deal so it goes up to stage 2/3 still no joy. What then other than wait for CWU HQ to get Higson to put a communcation asking managers not to do prep tests? That should have happened a long time ago and certainly could have been part of BT2010.

Well....you could try some more direct action rather than waiting for Higson.
We might work for these clowns but it doesn't mean we have to accept everything they throw at us.

[POSTMAN]

unagreed tests

I think the clue is in the name.I will follow agreements till the cows come home,but when something that's not agreed starts up,that's a no no.