interview query

[markpounder]

Hi,
I have an interview next week for postman with driving. It is part time 20 hrs what is the chance of being able to regularly make up the hours to near full time, i am currently working full time , shifts and 67 miles away from home and travelling daily i can afford to take quite a pay cut as would offset not having to pay much fuel. It is advertised as 5 months temporary but then goes on about pay increase after 6 and 12 months , so is it likely to be be temp to permanent on a sort of probation thing.
cheers
mark

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Overtime: Generally depends on the Office but yes Overtime is usually fairly regular.

Temp to Permanent: Again depends on the office and whether they are going through a series of changover. Also a few Mail Centres are closing so RM seem to be employing Temporary contracts as a stop gap until they know how many transfers they are getting from the MCs. However, most Temporary contracts seem to be rolled over and eventually made permanent, but I wouldn't make any concrete plans based on that.

[smartbhoy]

Be very wary of the 20hrs but possibly full time hours. They're trying to cut hours in every office. And a lot are refusing to pay overtime. Also when it says driving that will probably mean you'll be delivering mail on foot but want you to have a driving licence. I'd be very careful. I'm not trying to put you off, some offices can be good but RM tend to break a lot of their promises. Also a lof of part-timers will be after any OT going. Good luck. If i'm being honest and i was trying to get a job with RM now and knew what i knew, i'd say thanks but no thanks.

[Indy]

Be very wary of the 20hrs but possibly full time hours. They're trying to cut hours in every office. And a lot are refusing to pay overtime. Also when it says driving that will probably mean you'll be delivering mail on foot but want you to have a driving licence. I'd be very careful. I'm not trying to put you off, some offices can be good but RM tend to break a lot of their promises. Also a lof of part-timers will be after any OT going. Good luck. If i'm being honest and i was trying to get a job with RM now and knew what i knew, i'd say thanks but no thanks.

Nods head in full agreement!

We've been told that we can't cut-off and RM won't be paying extended (overtime) PERIOD! Rep says... "we'll see!"

[SexyLegs]

Be very wary of the 20hrs but possibly full time hours. They're trying to cut hours in every office. And a lot are refusing to pay overtime. Also when it says driving that will probably mean you'll be delivering mail on foot but want you to have a driving licence. I'd be very careful. I'm not trying to put you off, some offices can be good but RM tend to break a lot of their promises. Also a lof of part-timers will be after any OT going. Good luck. If i'm being honest and i was trying to get a job with RM now and knew what i knew, i'd say thanks but no thanks.

Nods head in full agreement!

We've been told that we can't cut-off and RM won't be paying extended (overtime) PERIOD! Rep says... "we'll see!"

They'd best get your duty lengths spot on then Indy, not forgetting they need to shorten them when Autumn pressure starts, sounds like a lot of hassle to me! lol

[markpounder]

thanks for the replies, guess will have to suck it and see and take a pinch of salt to the interview next week.
cheers
mark

[Robtor]

To be honest, our office isn't nearly as bad as what I'm reading all the time here, it's almost like a different company.

Just got my permanent contract after doing my 3months, then another 3months temporary ones, on 25hours. Some weeks if i'm lazy I do 25 hours. Other weeks like next week, I'm on what is deemed the best or 2nd best duty in the office and will rack up about 45hours doing it. Rural's in the sunshine are lush. Other weeks I drive around the countryside for 3 hours per day emptying boxes, a little while after finishing my round putting me upto about 40hours.

Claiming over time for no real "expected" reason is harder than it was for sure, but unless the claims are regular or big, it seems fine. Especially for new guys who will be slower. There's a few guys who are still here who joined at a similar time to me who are basically finding it pretty similar (except one who had 2 crashes in a week so they're not too keen having him driving again yet).

Ofcourse not all, or most are like that, I just wanted to give the other side of the coin as generally people are vocal when annoyed rather than happy, so it gives slightly the wrong impression.

[markpounder]

Well the all I will say is the office im applying for is in lincolnshire, i did work for rm about 13 years ago on part time when i was younger before i joined the RAF , just trying to get closer to home, there is always moaning at any workplace so i am open minded.
cheers

mark

[Indy]

Be very wary of the 20hrs but possibly full time hours. They're trying to cut hours in every office. And a lot are refusing to pay overtime. Also when it says driving that will probably mean you'll be delivering mail on foot but want you to have a driving licence. I'd be very careful. I'm not trying to put you off, some offices can be good but RM tend to break a lot of their promises. Also a lof of part-timers will be after any OT going. Good luck. If i'm being honest and i was trying to get a job with RM now and knew what i knew, i'd say thanks but no thanks.

Nods head in full agreement!

We've been told that we can't cut-off and RM won't be paying extended (overtime) PERIOD! Rep says... "we'll see!"

They'd best get your duty lengths spot on then Indy, not forgetting they need to shorten them when Autumn pressure starts, sounds like a lot of hassle to me! lol

They've got the duty lengths spot on by using the "bullying and Harassment" tool!

I think I've mentioned before but I tried to claim extended and I GENUINELY believed that I was going to be sacked by the way I was shouted at etc all calmed down when I withdrew my overtime claim (not worth the grief for 40 minutes). I learnt my lesson and I'm now doing everything by the book.... RM have in the long run substantially lost out!

[Indy]

I did work for rm about 13 years ago on part time when i was younger

Boy oh boy are you going to notice some changes!

[George door to dawes]

here is always moaning at any workplace so i am open minded.

I wouldnt dimiss the negative view points though as some of us really do have it bad. Sure you might get lucky and find an office where they treat you well. But there is also a chance you will walk into a office run by a tyrant!

Boy oh boy are you going to notice some changes!

+1 to that!

[deekin]

I am also working as a postman with driving on a 20 hour contract. Been doing it for a year and the only time I have been paid for 20 hours is when I am on holiday. Every week I do between 30 - 32 hours over 4 days. That's how long my duty is supposed to take.

[markpounder]

that was going to be my next question how many part time regularly do more than there contract hours