Floating duties vs duty holders

[beethoven646]

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.

So true.

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.

I agree. But only if the redistribution of labour is fair. Which it never is.

[chrisj]

Fairness is hardly encouraged by the UNION (not at RM anyway)

[celerycelery]

Would expect at least the manager and person to come and see if you dont mind swapping. If you do and want to stay on that round then surely person doing the overtime has to do the duty thats vacant.

[beethoven646]

Would expect at least the manager and person to come and see if you dont mind swapping. If you do and want to stay on that round then surely person doing the overtime has to do the duty thats vacant.

Definitely the fair and proper way to do it.

[chrisj]

Can I just say that OT does not always work in a smooth way. The absence can get so bad and/or requirement for bodies might be so sudden that all the niceties might go out of the window.

The manager cannot really allow people to dilly-dally on OT, they often want a commitment as soon as poss, so they can can get on with other more pressing things. One thing they definitely do not want is having to go and do the OT themselves. So, if floater and sometimes a duty-holder has to be moved, so be it.

We are in delivery and delivery OT is not attractive either in terms of the pay or the extra walking and baggage to carry - its not like an SA or working in the Mail Centre.

I don't agree that your manager should speak to you the way your did (and some do) but modernisation, P&L and subsequent absenteeism is creating a mess and the manager feel it not just from the stress of the daily juggling act but the get even more bullied from the top than we do...

At least, you have a regular floating job, regular days off and more or less the same walks most of the time - small blessings!

I have been moved 3 times this week despite being on the rota to cover the same duty all week. I have had to go out on my own and moved to 2 other duties and even moved to another so that I can do overtime on half of the paired duty. It is easier that way as it is less travelling and logistics etc. As I am moved from mind, others also get moved along the chain - but we are mostly all junior staff/pt reserves...

[mandelsons_toenail]

It's your duty that day

Not duty holder

Union now!

[beethoven646]

The manager cannot really allow people to dilly-dally on OT, they often want a commitment as soon as poss, so they can can get on with other more pressing things. One thing they definitely do not want is having to go and do the OT themselves. So, if floater and sometimes a duty-holder has to be moved, so be it.

But only if the moves are fair to all. Why does the duty holder take priority over me? Seniority doesn't come into it.

I don't agree that your manager should speak to you the way your did (and some do) but modernisation, P&L and subsequent absenteeism is creating a mess and the manager feel it not just from the stress of the daily juggling act but the get even more bullied from the top than we do...

Not my problem. Seriously.

I have been moved 3 times this week despite being on the rota to cover the same duty all week. I have had to go out on my own and moved to 2 other duties and even moved to another so that I can do overtime on half of the paired duty. It is easier that way as it is less travelling and logistics etc. As I am moved from mind, others also get moved along the chain - but we are mostly all junior staff/pt reserves...

I appreciate what you're saying and I feel for you but I've been there, done that. I'm full time and have absolutely no need for or, or intention of, working overtime or making allowances for those who choose to do so (at least not before being asked, rather than told).

[chrisj]

Like you said, you are a full time staff and what is the difference in income compared to a 30-hour or 24-hour?

Walks with a driver absent is enough to start moving people around - it is not just about OT but I know you don't care about OTs and your thread is about OTs but there you go. Good luck.

[banddy]

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.

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if your colleague is in on overtime - it's HIM that should get whatever postal duty is being covered on O/T.

if YOU are being moved off the rotation to accomodate the guy/girl/person - who should be day off, then that means the other person is being treted more favourably than you are. if it is the other person's day off - that is your duty for that day!

[POSTMAN]

It's called scummy colleagues,the w*****s must be breeding.

[trythat]

We have this problem regualry in our office, and as much as I've tried to make the floaters duty their duty, more often than not, I've failed. We're short staffed, and operatiional needs gets quoted and you're a bit stuffed really. It's one of my pet peeves, and very frustrating!!!