One to One

[Maybug]

Hi, I joined RM as an OPG at the end of June on a 20 hour contract ( 09.00 to 13.00 5 days a week Mon to Sat with a rotating day off). At the interview I was told that I would have 3 days training and then would be on my own delivering 6 to 8 prepped mailbags and would be on the same walk for about 3 months before I learnt another. In reality, I had 2 days shadowing 2 different OPGs who were both brilliant and really helpful but who did the walk slightly differently to each other and on the 3rd day I was on my own. Coming in at 09.00 the majority of staff are already out on delivery and whilst my post was at least in the frame it was never prepped and there were regularly large parcels left for me, but after a couple of weeks I felt I was picking up speed and knew the walk quite well. The Office Manager said they needed a relief rural driver so the week before last I had 3 days training and then last Monday I was on my own. I think the 2 OPGs who normally cover the duty are on 25 and 30 hour contracts.
As I was prepping the mail this morning the manager invited me into the office and said that the prepping should take no more than 20 mins and the delivery 4 hours and that I should not be coming back at 4pm. I tried to explain that when I trained and for the first part of last week there was a one way system in operation due to roadworks so I was effectively delivering the mail back to front and then at the end of the week the traffic was back to normal so I had learn how to do the walk the right way. Also I have to deliver the parcels for the other part of the village which is all new to me as I am not from the area.
Anyway during the conversation the manager started typing all of this up and said "I've never done one of these One to Ones before". My question is, is this some kind of disciplinary action or warning and should I be worried? I am on a 6 month contract.
Thanks

[POSTMAN]

1st,how many delivery points on your duty?

[Maybug]

This is a rough estimate - 200 probably more and then there is the summer efficiency 55 and households, redirections and kills. There are 7 post boxes to empty and on Saturdays I have to clear the village Post Office and bring everything back to the Delivery Office before 12.30 and then drive back and continue the delivery.

[walkertom]

Hi there,

write it all in your diary. This will be useful if there's any trouble. A one-to-one is not a recognised disciplinary procedure, but you sometimes can't trust the managers. "Fact Finding" and "Counselling" are conduct related.

Don't sign anything without considerable thought. It's not an offence not to sign, so don't do it just to be nice. Always take a union rep with you into interviews.

I'm not an expert, but there are experts on here giving good advice.

Good luck.

[hantsman]

Never ever go into the office if invited, sad to say but its normally true. If its offical you require 48 hours notice in writing and always take a witness in with you.

[Maybug]

Thanks for the advice guys. I totally underestimated the delivery points - it is 355 plus another 20 or so which I pick up from other frames (don't ask me why) and the summer efficiency of 55 addresses. I am only driving a Ford Combo, but no-one has assessed my driving skills or discussed vehicle checks with me. Also using a PDA, not received any training for this just picking it up as I go along.