New Postie Has Questions

[philj]

So here's my walk: I do bike delivery and I reckon my average weight's probably 70-75kg a day. There are 960-something delivery points and it takes an hour to bag up on a good day (usually including redirections and a big stack of mis-sorts). I've been counting packets this week for the guy planning an 'upcoming revision' so I know I took 70+ packets today, had to knock on 30 doors and fill out 11 P739s. I'd say that's about normal for a Wednesday. I'm contracted to do 4h48m and on average I go 20 mins over my time daily; 30-40 mins if there are door-to-doors. I've been in the job 6 weeks and I reckon I'm getting close to being up-to-speed. My DOM has told me not to expect over-time as the walk's been measured by the computer, other posties can do it, etc..

Things that are bothering me:

Does this sound about right for the kind of workload they give newbies?
Is there any sort of maximum weight for a walk?
Is it common for DOMs to refuse over-time for standard, contracted duties?

You probably can't answer the following without knowing the office/people in question, but:

Is there any chance that this 'revision' will actually result in any reduction in the workload I'm given?
Should I be trying to get paid for the hours I''ve worked or should I keep my head down? I do keep track of the hours I do but if I kick up a fuss/start requesting overtime/bring mail back undelivered, I get the feeling things may not work out so well. Will speaking to the union rep - though I'm not sure yet who that is - actually help?

I do enjoy the job when I'm out and about but I don't really trust the management or their computers and I hate that they expect me to work for free. A few of the guys I've spoken to have said it does get better but an equal number have told me to get out now before I get sucked in. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Pat Ostman]

The walk has been measured by computer. Yeah, that's about par for the course.

Since you have been in the job less than six months you will probably not want a fight with the DOM but that doesn't alter he fact he is a tosser and talking out of his arse.

No overtime, no pay. Let them test your walk, it will fail in all probability.

Is there any chance that this 'revision' will actually result in any reduction in the workload I'm given?

Very slim chance, highly likely it will in increase

Are you on a rolling contract or perm contract?

[philj]

Thanks for that. I'm thinking along the same lines and the DOM comment gave me a little chuckle. It's a rolling 3 month contract so I can't really see myself standing up to them and getting another three months. Won't asking them to test the walk have pretty much the same result though? What's the process?

[Pat Ostman]

They normally back down when you ask your walk to be tested.

[Judgee]

That's a lot of drops but not a massive amount of mail (my round averages 150k a day weds to fri ) Tricky situation with your contract which is why RM love them I guess.

They cannot compare you to other posties as long as you fall within acceptable standards thier argument that other posties can do it in the time is just bullshit!

If you feel you are up to the minimum standards with regardes to speed tell them you cannot do it in time and they can test you if they wish but you will be cutting off from now on. Could always ask them to test it but in my experience they never bother.

It's difficult as you are new and are on a rolling contract. You could have a word with you union rep to see what they have to say on the matter. Although on paper no one should have to work over thier time, in practice they do have newbies by the danglies somewhat.

Good luck with it, first call should be your union rep though!

[beanmuncha]

You didn't say what your contract was, how many hours?
Do other people do this run in the allotted time?
Do you take your break? if not why not!
Are you delivery only? i.e. is the mail ready when you go in if so re-directions etc. should be done already
and if your just pulling out and bagging up this time seems a bit long "up to an hour" should be 20-30 mins.
Ask a fellow postie who the Union Rep is and speak to him with your concerns.
Good luck

[Stormproof]

Ask around in your office to see if you can find the 'others can do it'. When you find the 'others' it will probably turn out they are the runners that come in early and don't take their break.

[philj]

Do you do 150k on a bike? How long's that supposed to take?

I'm contracted to 24 hours, delivery only. Am I supposed to get a break?!

I've asked my line manager for redirections to be done, packets to be put in order, etc before I get there, but we seem to have different managers in every day at the moment and it doesn't often happen. I might try leaving the sorter a note tomorrow but I'm not sure that's the best way to do it... I seem to get a lot of mis-sorts too - maybe 50-60 today? - which slows things down, obviously. The DOM said 20-30 minutes to bag up but I just don't see how that's possible.

What's the minimum standard? Is it measurable? I do it as quickly as I can, I'm fairly fit and I've done leafletting work on and off for the last few years so I'm good with gates and letterboxes! I've finished on time twice in 5 weeks (a Tuesday and a Saturday) since I've been on it. I asked the guy who did my day off last week and he said he did the walk to time (not early, mind). This was Saturday/Monday and he did it in his car.

I'll try and track the rep down but I think I might wait until the first three months are up/this revision starts to happen and see where I stand before I do anything drastic.

Your replies are much appreciated. :)

[Judgee]

The 150k is my round alone and half a partnership in a Park & Loop shared van setup. Quite often I am unable to fit it all in the van with my partners mail so I drop him off with a trolly and go back to squeeze the rest in.

Not sure how long it's supposed to take but I usually end up cutting off around a third. Takes a long time to throw into the frame so I am at best left with around 3 1/2 hours delivery time and in that I have to drop off stuff to my partner and do all his little packets that he struggles with [when I say little believe me he really does take the piss, but as I cut off it's no sweat off my ass I guess!)

I can usually complete Most tuesdays, some sats and Mondays. Weds have never completed ever not even in the lighter summer months, Thurs and Fri maybe complete once every couple of months!

There is some standard rate which is the minimum speed you are expected to achieve with regards to sorting anyway. I'm sure someone on here can give you the exact figures but they are pretty low and easy to achieve!

You should be entitled to a break. Again I'm not sure what yours is it's dependent on the amount of hours you do a day. For me it's 40 minutes as I am on 8 hours days.

Misorts well 50-60 sounds about average to be fair.

The problem is the managers automatically assume that if a walk is not being completed then it's down to the people on it. It's never down to the fact that the walk is screwed up.

See your rep, different offices tend to deal with things in slightly different ways and I am sure he/she will be the best person to let you know your options!

[Pat Ostman]

He is entitled to 20m paid meal relief I believe

[philj]

Bit of a breakthrough today. Sorting wasn't anywhere near finished so I drew DOM's attention to it. I find myself doing this quite a lot and getting nowhere but today it was particularly bad and they got me a full-timer to help out. Line manager was really good about it and actually apologised. There was even talk of getting over-time, though I'll believe it when I get the payslip! All the sorting and re-directions (again) added about 40 minutes to my morning so it'd be nice to get something for it. More importantly they talked to me like a real person. Maybe they've been on here and seen me whining about it. Or there was something in the coffee. They'd definitely know it's me after this post, anyway. Fingers crossed for a light day tomorrow and finishing on time.

He is entitled to 20m paid meal relief I believe

Is this right? I've never taken one.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

He is entitled to 20m paid meal relief I believe

Is this right? I've never taken one.

yes

meal relief.png

[philj]

I'm not sure what to say about that. If I take a twenty minute break there's no way I'll ever finish on time.

[R@YAL F@IL]

They normally back down when you ask your walk to be tested.

Very true indeed and in this case he should ask his manager if he can "ride tandem" that will :dcfo

[kawoxux]

if they're not paying, you shouldn't be working

its up to them to get the mail out