Hi,
Wondered if anyone can tell me where I stand in the following situation:
The revision in our delivery office is imminent and the re-pick of duties has been completed. I'm fairly near the bottom of the pile so didn't get a great choice of duties so opted for a floating duty covering the same 5 duties per week and retaining a predictable, rotating day off as with any other single delivery duty.
However I was told by a colleague that if any of the five duty holders for the individual duties wished to work their day off as overtime (which with one individual is very likely, based on his past performance) I would be moved from that particular duty and put onto any other duty the DOM sees fit. When I questioned the DOM about this he became very aggressive and told me that if I didn't like it I could become a reserve instead - to which I responded that I was effectively a reserve anyway in this scenario. He then (in no uncertain terms) told me that anyone on any duty could be moved at any time as he saw fit and that I was always free to resign!
Is he right? As far as I'm concerned the floating duty is mine and I have as much right as anyone else to stay on that duty, regardless of anyone else's desire to work their day off. To me it seems the rules are being made up as the DOM goes along.
Thanks.
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Floating duties vs duty holders
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fng
- Posts: 462
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
I'm no expert on the situation but as a duty holder, when i work my day off I'm found another duty for the day as my rota man would be covering my duty, seems daft to me but i'm sure the rota man wouldn't agree.
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beethoven646
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 02 Sep 2007, 02:01
Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
I personally think that's the way it should be - I don't see why I should be the one to make way if someone else wants to work overtime.
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IcanthelpthewayIam
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
its not right but he could do it and claim operational needs,
just something to think about though, what actual difference is there in doing another duty for a few days as long as its not affecting your day off, your not going to be working any extra hours unless you want to, (or gives you an opportunity for the overtime you may not have had on your original duty if your looking for ot) gives you great excuse for cutting off as unusually duty and not used to its frame or walk etc keeps the guy whos coming in on his day off sweet for those days you need a favour from them,
just something to think about though, what actual difference is there in doing another duty for a few days as long as its not affecting your day off, your not going to be working any extra hours unless you want to, (or gives you an opportunity for the overtime you may not have had on your original duty if your looking for ot) gives you great excuse for cutting off as unusually duty and not used to its frame or walk etc keeps the guy whos coming in on his day off sweet for those days you need a favour from them,
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Ossie From Preston
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
They can ask you to move but can't force you it's your duty.
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Bahia Feliz
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
If they want to move you to a duty that you know then you can't really complain,If they move you to a duty that you've never done then you just cut off if you can't complete in the time..
as long as you are still getting your day off as normal that's the main thing!!
as long as you are still getting your day off as normal that's the main thing!!
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Bahia Feliz
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
They CAN force you as we all know too well!!Ossie From Preston wrote:They can ask you to move but can't force you it's your duty.
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IcanthelpthewayIam
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
yeah they quote operational needs or as directed from the 318sBahia Feliz wrote:They CAN force you as we all know too well!!Ossie From Preston wrote:They can ask you to move but can't force you it's your duty.
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rhino49
- EX ROYAL MAIL
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
Never really had a problem when I used to work my days off (pre park and loop revision) as the rotation guys didn't like the size of my walk and usually opted for an alternative. I would only work days off on my own walk and even then it was subject to agreement of the rotation staff involved - if they didn't want to change then I turned down the overtime. Now that I'm older, wiser and creaking a bit - I never work a day off and enjoy the rest instead of the ridiculously low overtime rate.
We can all be made to work "as directed" - but we can all turn down overtime as well, so remember that when an awkward DOM finds himseldf in an awkward situation ... i.e. faced with the prospect of doing the walk himself :)
We can all be made to work "as directed" - but we can all turn down overtime as well, so remember that when an awkward DOM finds himseldf in an awkward situation ... i.e. faced with the prospect of doing the walk himself :)
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beethoven646
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 02 Sep 2007, 02:01
Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
Thanks for your opinions.
I guess I'm pretty screwed when it comes down to it. I don't actually mind working another duty if I've done it before but I just feel the rules are being bent to accommodate others who are more likely to kick up a fuss. It's the principle of the thing.
I guess I'm pretty screwed when it comes down to it. I don't actually mind working another duty if I've done it before but I just feel the rules are being bent to accommodate others who are more likely to kick up a fuss. It's the principle of the thing.
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R@YAL F@IL
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
Are you in the union?beethoven646 wrote:Thanks for your opinions.
I guess I'm pretty screwed when it comes down to it. I don't actually mind working another duty if I've done it before but I just feel the rules are being bent to accommodate others who are more likely to kick up a fuss. It's the principle of the thing.
NO bags on shoulders please except for Moya who keeps her big fat wage packet in hers
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beethoven646
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 02 Sep 2007, 02:01
Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
Yes, I'm a union member. My next port of call methinks.
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R@YAL F@IL
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
In the office I work in Floaters do not get kicked off the duty they are supposed to cover.beethoven646 wrote:Yes, I'm a union member. My next port of call methinks.
NO bags on shoulders please except for Moya who keeps her big fat wage packet in hers
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steven100
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
Isn't it your duty for the day. I'd stand your ground and refuse to give up the duty you have signed for. I'd suppose it depends on if its a good duty or not. If rubbish they may offer you a better duty.
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chrisj
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Re: Floating duties vs duty holders
Its one of those RM quirks! Seniority rules!!!
The DOMs often take the easiest option possible for him and that often involves pandering to more senior staff and picking on the posties further down the ladder.
The DOM will not speak to an established member of staff the way he spoke to you. By his own admission, he said he could move anybody whenever he wants; but will he ever move the duty holder/senior staff when people like you decide to work your day off. If you said to your DOM, I will do overtime for you if only I get the easiest duty or a particular duty. I doubt he will say yes to you even if he is absolutely desperate.
The not so funny thing is that, I have found myself in situations where the DOM has promised me a duty on OT but when I turn up, it ends up being another duty; one I wouldn't have chosen. What to do? Drive all the way back home.
My view is that the DOM should be able to move anyone whatsoever and all postmen should be flexible enough to do any round. If the P&L/frame has been set out correctly, anyone with a map should be able to do any round; and if working with someone who has done one part before, it should be even easier. Given that most senior staff know the locality and most work on the IPS, they should be able to do any round in the office - prepping and first day might be a bit awkward but it should not be that hard.
The DOMs often take the easiest option possible for him and that often involves pandering to more senior staff and picking on the posties further down the ladder.
The DOM will not speak to an established member of staff the way he spoke to you. By his own admission, he said he could move anybody whenever he wants; but will he ever move the duty holder/senior staff when people like you decide to work your day off. If you said to your DOM, I will do overtime for you if only I get the easiest duty or a particular duty. I doubt he will say yes to you even if he is absolutely desperate.
The not so funny thing is that, I have found myself in situations where the DOM has promised me a duty on OT but when I turn up, it ends up being another duty; one I wouldn't have chosen. What to do? Drive all the way back home.
My view is that the DOM should be able to move anyone whatsoever and all postmen should be flexible enough to do any round. If the P&L/frame has been set out correctly, anyone with a map should be able to do any round; and if working with someone who has done one part before, it should be even easier. Given that most senior staff know the locality and most work on the IPS, they should be able to do any round in the office - prepping and first day might be a bit awkward but it should not be that hard.