Advice Needed For A Newish Postie

[losharapidoras]

Hello everyone,

New to the forum, but I've been working with Royal Mail for 3 months now. I'm a part-timer and my contract is 20 hours/week, 10-2pm.

I can't explain how fcuking shocked I am with this job...I don't understand what keeps people working with this company for 10-20-30 years...You must be MAD. Anyway, let me get straight to the point.

My contract's title is "Postman with Occasional Driving". I've been doing different mixed duties (driving/trolley walks) since the day I started, but only found out today from a colleague that there's some kind of driving allowance for drivers? You won't believe it, but I haven't even done my changeover and I'm regularly doing driving duties. How fcuked up my office is?

I drive RM's Vauxhall Combo CDTi (small van), so am I entitled to a driving allowance? And if yes, would it possible to get it for the previous 3 months?

It's just unbelievable how fcuking ignorant and careless my managers are. No one gives a sh!t about explaining anything to you. You ALWAYS have to ask for everything, otherwise don't expect any help.

Another problem that I regularly have to deal with is getting paid for my overtime. Due to my late start time, I often go over 2pm and claim an hour overtime. Last week I did 8 hours overtime and when I received my payslip this Thursday, there wasn't a SINGLE HOUR of overtime recorded. It's like these pr!cks didn't even bother paying me for the extra hours...

My DOM wasn't in it today, but I spoke to another manager and basically he said that "the walk shouldn't take me that long"?! Don't get me wrong. It's not like I'm chilling on a delivery or taking it easy. I'm rushing all the time, while still being efficient and not mis-delivering.

These guys are seriously taking the p!ss and I don't know is there a point of fighting and getting my hours or just fcuking quit, so I won't have to deal with this kind of bullsh!t?

A bit of a emotional post, but there was so much sh!t that I had to swallow during those 3 months, that I can no longer talk about my office/this company nicely.

Any advice/help appreciated.

Thanks.

[SF]

I'm not certain, but I think the drivers allowance is only for people who were with the company like 10 years ago. Well, I know only the oldies in our office get it.

[BT2010]

driving allowance... not a chance as a new starter, i believe some old timers have retained it.

overtime.... if they dont pay, refuse to work it. once you are ready to bag up ask the manager what you should do with any mail left once you finish and take a mate in with you as a witness.

if you dont get a reasonable answer just return it to the office once you finish.

dont jack without giving a bit of grief back

all the best with it.

[bag69]

Driving allowance is for driving hi tops or larger. Should not be driving driving any RM vehicals until you have done your changeover. With regards to going over and not getting paid, from now on finish on time and bring whats left back. Just make sure you inform mgmt before you leave in morning.

[George door to dawes]

Sorry to hear about your troubles as a fellow p/t casual i feel your pain! Honestly it does get a little easier once you have been here a while. You start to get a little quicker, you start to know what you are expected to do within your working hours, the mangers respect you a little more and you become more confident to stop them taking the mikey so much. Best thing to do is to stay on these wonderful forums and try to learn the RM rules /regs and try to fight your corner.

Just on the overtime bit, you should be getting paid for going over. They will fight tooth and nail to get out of it but normally if you fight hard enough you will get it. For the Overtime you already worked are you / lino filling in the overtime sheet? DO NOT trust any manager that says 'i have put it down for you' or 'come see me later' or anything like that. If your promised overtime make sure you see its written on the sheet with your pay number and you have signed it.

[REDLETTER]

Stick a grievance in about the O/T, granted you've only been there a short while but if you don't stand up for yourself they will sh*t on you.

Make sure all O/T is recorded and signed for and keep a record in a diary of the dates and times you did the O/T, so you have proof for yourself!

[losharapidoras]

Thanks for clearing up the driving allowance for me guys.

Regarding the overtime, yes I tried bringing it back once, but was told if I do it again, I will be dismissed? That day I brought 2 bags back and it was around 2 hours of delivery left. I loved it, when they told me it's actually 45 minutes...It's fcuking ridiculous.

I don't mind going over my time sometimes, BUT as long as I get paid for it. I'll have a word with my manager on Monday, because I've been working like this since my start date, and it's just unbelievable how much they fcuk with you.

Good idea about the overtime sheet. I've never done that. Where can I find it, lol...Usually I tell one of the managers to put me overtime, but I HATE doing that, because I know for a fact, they won't do it. Will know for the future.

[post_bitch]

[bag69]

Been keeping a diary for ot for about 3 years now. Even if you sign the sheet it is amazing how many times it does not appear on your payslip. Managers have been known to cross it out after. Now when i appear with my diary & payslip, get no argument from them anymore. It miracuously appears the next week. But yes, you do need to learn to stand up for yourself. I know its hard being on a temp contract. But if you dont they will s**t all over you big time. Still try it with me but i have learnt to stand my ground. Just do the job properly & make sure you are aware of your rights.

[Lounge Lizard]

"I'm rushing all the time" - not a good idea, for your health or for the safety of others.

[losharapidoras]

"I'm rushing all the time" - not a good idea, for your health or for the safety of others.

That's what they expect you to do. If you just walk around as usual, there's no way for you to finish a walk on time, ESPECIALLY if you're on a part-time contract and you start doing redirections at 10am, when everyone in the office went out for delivery an hour ago.

In my case, unless I'm on a super-easy senior walk, I have to be quick, because otherwise I'll go over my time and then claiming the extra hours is a BIG pain in the a$$, as I explained above.

I'll see how it goes on Monday. You can't imagine how tired I am of this bullsh!t. I didn't expect this kind of attitude from ROYAL MAIL to its employees. When I was on my Induction Day back in February, everything seemed so nice and easy - big company, good pay, good working hours, etc. Who would knew that the REAL WORLD is a totally fcuked up place to be.

[NewPostieUK]

I could have started this thread three years ago.

No, they don't tell you anything. You have to ask everything, or it's trial and error.

Nobody told me to write the overtime down, or even that I could claim.

They expect you to be up to speed after a weeks training, if you get that.

I wasn't up to speed for months, and I was on the same duty all the time, unlike you.

When they tell you its 45 mins work not 2 hours, and when they say the duty shouldn't take that long, tell them yes, for an experienced postie, not a new one. If you don't do the same duty every day, obviously it'll take you longer to get up to speed. If they want you to finish the duty every day, they will have to pay you overtime.

Another thing. Ask for the walk log. It should say how long you are meant to be spending on each activity. If it starts with '5 mins redirections' take it to your manager and say look = I'm meant to be doing redirections now, but there is still a tray to prep, or all the flats to do, and a packet sack to be looked at. Ask him how you are meant finish on time when you can't get out on time, because things haven't been done for you.

[POSTMAN]

I haven't even done my changeover

This is bad,you should have one,if you have an accident and seriously injury someone your manager would be nicked for it.

[MisterSitter]

I haven't even done my changeover

This is bad,you should have one,if you have an accident and seriously injury someone your manager would be nicked for it.

Silver lining.