Different Walk every day

[new26]

I started working for Royal Mail in August, & at first I was given a different walk each week. I didnt mind this too much as I would have a bad day the first day on it, but after that I would learn the walk and so the rest of the week would be ok.

But lately I have been getting put on a different walk each day (covering whoever is off that day) and so it makes the job a bit more difficult. Since Christmas I have been on a different walk each day (each walk a new one to me) and so even days where the post has been light I have been going over my time.

I can't help but think its laziness on the managers part as Im sure he could keep me on the same 5 walks each week but he can't be bothered to check which ones I know.

If I do go over my time am I entitled to bring post back? I wouldn't normally do that but I'm getting sick and tired of having difficult days. The manager has always said to me I have to clear what I take out.

[clashcityrocker]

You do not have to work over your contracted hours.
If you do not believe you are going to finish on time and you do not wish to do any overtime you need to approach your line manager at the earliest opportunity (preferably with a witness) and explain the situation.
It will then be up to your manager to decide what they want you to do.

1. Leave some in.
2 Bring some back.

Don't start bringing mail back without clearing this with a manager or they'll start calling it wilful delay.

[DGP1]

If you take it out then you have to deliver it, you need to tell them before you go out that you'll be unable to deliver it all and only then take out what you can get delivered.

And as for complaining about being moved from pillar to post - I spent 6 weeks on my first duty and then was moved everywhere (sometimes several times a day) for about 6 odd years, if you look around your office at others then you'll find that you're probably better and more efficient than the rest so you get moved around.
RM is the only company I've ever worked for that the worse you are at your job the better you're treated

[Bazman]

I've been slung on different walks near enough every day for the last 7 and a half years so I know how crappy it can be. Unless your manager is completely without interpersonal skills you should be able to just talk to him and say "Look I don't mind being put on different duties every day but I've got to be finished for x time so I can't work over today. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?"

Bolded the important part. The decision is his, he might ask you to stream the mail (Taking out mailsort items) this is usually completely insufficent and won't knock time off your delivery at all. "Even without mailsort i'll be over my time, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?"

bolded the important part again. Your manager will probably wander off and ignore you. Go box in a few letters but remind him next time you see him that you need him to tell you what he wants you to do. At this point he'll probably be calling you a c*** under his breath and getting all stressed. This is good because this is what he's paid to handle. Keep asking the question until he gives you a definate answer. Eventually he will take some of the duty off you.

The golden question; "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?"

[clashcityrocker]

And if he does call you a c***, make sure you have a witness and whack in a Bullying and Harassment complaint.

[Bazman]

The c*** bit was for humourous effect but anyway, yes, remember the bolded bit of the above post :p

[new26]

Ok, thanks for the advice everyone.

Like I said I'm sure its just laziness with the management. I don't mind being on a different one everyday, just as long as its one I've done before. I've done that many he must be able to find me one.

Why dont the managers keep a record of all the walks that each postie has done and try and keep them on the same ones? It would be better for the company as well as we would be getting done quicker so less overtime would have to be paid.

[Straight4ward]

I've been slung on different walks near enough every day for the last 7 and a half years

A different walk every day for the last 7 and a half years! Now that is one seriously huge D.O.

[Bazman]

I've been slung on different walks near enough every day for the last 7 and a half years

A different walk every day for the last 7 and a half years! Now that is one seriously huge D.O.

you know what i mean :p

[SexyLegs]

I've been doing that for 5 years mate, it's called being a reserve, you'll love it in a few months when you know every job in the unit ;)

[TeeferTiger]

If you don't know the walk, you don't know whether you'll be going over, nor how much by, therefore how much mail to leave in when you state you won't be working over your time

Anyway, back to the OP... Whilst it would be lovely if they bothered to train you on each walk, we all know that's never going to happen. So it's just a case of cracking on, not letting the buggers grind you down and working your hours.

[cinemasaint]

I'm a reserve also, I know every walk in our section as I've done them all the only issue I have is duty holders working their days off and me getting moved about. 1 of the guys duties I cover always works his days off preps in the morning does o/t on other walks after he finishes and is p/t but has the cheek to ask me to do parts of his walk on a Saturday and tries to lay a guilt trip on me because he wants to take his son to the football not my problem. Stick at it claim o/t if your going to be over or work to your time.

[spoodoo]

cine stick in a grievance if you keep getting moved off youre duty coz some selfish cnut wants to work there day off on youre duty for that day ! if no joy stick in a 2nd one then a 3rd ,,there are some right knobs working amongst us.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I sometimes get asked to work my day off - upsets management when I say "Maybe - I'll get back to you" - then go round to my day off cover and see if he has been told or if he minds. Sometimes he wants to work my duty, other times he is happy to change - I let that guide me. I am surprised that this does not happen as a matter of course, after all on my day off its not my duty actually its not MY duty anyway, its RMs.

[POSTMAN]

cine stick in a grievance if you keep getting moved off youre duty coz some selfish cnut wants to work there day off on youre duty for that day ! if no joy stick in a 2nd one then a 3rd ,,there are some right knobs working amongst us.

Surely that can't still be going on with you?