Overtime

[robido]

I work in a small rural office. Only 12 of us in the DO. I recently transferred to this rural office and have been shocked to discover that the DOM won't pay anyone overtime for their usual round. Whenever someone books it, he ignores it, and argues that the computer says the round can be done in the allocated time. If you argue your case any further, he says, i'll look into it, but he never does. Having spoken to the other guys who work there, none of them bother to book it anymore, because it wont get paid, and they don't want to get singled out, or harrassed by the management.

Surely, the management can't do this?

[Lincox]

If they haven,t got the gumption (being polite) to stand up for themselves and are prepared to work for nothing, then sorry but they deserve what they get. Sweet FA.

[cyrus]

Yep, manager gets away with it because people let him.I don't care what a computer says.It's just there as a guideline.7 hours work = 7 hours paid.I've seen a few managers over the years doing cut off's, and the phrase- slower than a week in jail springs to mind.

[k979aaa]

All cut off bring mail back if you cannot complete but all tell him first.

[tommyrep]

Yet another example of "maverick managers" employed by Royal Mail, being allowed and left to their own devices to bully and intimidate weaker staff at our smaller DO's. They thrive on the power they have deployed onto weak staff and enjoy the bragging rights at conference calls in an attempt to impress other Dom's and have a gold star attached to their Royal Mail CV ,for future promotion opportunity.
Area Senior management - ( and possible all the way up to Moya ! ) - would appear to encourage and endorse this sort of treatment towards staff, so long as it saves money at all cost. I regret to say with very little support from our CWU ! Small units need to report these problems to highlight these actions by bullying managers - IF they are members of the CWU that is ????

[POSTMAN]

No rep there then i guess?

[robido]

It's easy to say don't have the gumption, but when you work in a very small office, it can be quite intimidating. I transferred from a large DO and I know the managers wouldn't of got away with not paying overtime because there are a lot of posties who stick together, it's not the same in smaller offices. Your every move is watched. It's not a good environment to work in. You are literally terrified of making a mistake. I have even had posties telling me not to book anything, because it will create an even worst atmosphere in the office. When I did confront the manager about it, he said, it's not him, it's his line manager who decides whether overtime is paid or not. He submits all overtime according to him, but the manager above him turns it all down. Now they have introduced a new rule where, if someone calls in sick, we have to do his round without getting overtime, which obviously sets postie against postie. Sickness rates have dropped, but it as caused near punch ups.

[robido]

No, there is no rep. One pops in every now and then, but they seem to be more buddy with the managers then the posties

[POSTMAN]

Get hold of the rep that comes in,it may not be as cosy as you think,let us know what happens,you may have to go higher.

As for the absorbing/lapsing of the rounds of the guys on sick,that is normal pratice as long as the QOS does not suffer,cut offs ect.
But i fear that with your office rolling over so easy,QOS wont be a problem.

[POSTMAN]

Oh and this as well...

In recent months there has been an increase in the number of reports/queries coming into the department regarding bullying and harassment of our members in delivery offices. Stories of members feeling intimidated on a regular basis with most of this centring on members being forced to work beyond their time in order to complete deliveries or being accused of under performing or being slow. This type of approach will not be tolerated and we are currently gathering evidence from around the Country to raise this with Royal Mail at the highest level. If you have been or are subject to this or know someone who has or is please let the dept know by letter, or phone call or preferably by email to outdoorsecretary@cwu.org
Bob Gibson – CWU Assistant Secretary Outdoor

[obscurityknocks]

Maybe the rep doesnt know about it if no one has mentioned it to him. I know through experience that some reps are too close to the managers and it leads to alot of problems but most are not but they have to communicate with the manager even if they dont like it.

[robido]

I will take it higher, but I already know what will happen. The manager will watch me like a hawk, waiting for me to make a mistake, then try and get rid of me, or give me a really shitty duty to do. Like I said, small DOs are not like bigger ones. The managers are in your face constantly. The irony of it all, is that my manager is so terrified of losing his job, that he does whatever his manager says. s**t flows down as they say. I'll let you know how it goes anyway. Thanks for the advice guys.

[arnold cheshire]

It's easy to say don't have the gumption, but when you work in a very small office, it can be quite intimidating. I transferred from a large DO and I know the managers wouldn't of got away with not paying overtime because there are a lot of posties who stick together, it's not the same in smaller offices. Your every move is watched. It's not a good environment to work in. You are literally terrified of making a mistake. I have even had posties telling me not to book anything, because it will create an even worst atmosphere in the office. When I did confront the manager about it, he said, it's not him, it's his line manager who decides whether overtime is paid or not. He submits all overtime according to him, but the manager above him turns it all down. Now they have introduced a new rule where, if someone calls in sick, we have to do his round without getting overtime, which obviously sets postie against postie. Sickness rates have dropped, but it as caused near punch ups.

thats absorbing / lapsing

[lollollol]

robido - start a paper trail. Email the DOM and ask him why isn't he paying overtime. If he doesn't respond email again repeating the question. Again if he doesn't respond email again and copy his DSM in. Copy your local rep in at all stages.

It can be extremely frustrating if you do not get the support you deserve (and pay for!) from your local CWU branch. But this doesn't mean you should accept the status quo.
As far as I'm aware each DO is entitled to their own rep so why don't you apply yourself?

[tremo]

I work in a small rural office. Only 12 of us in the DO. I recently transferred to this rural office and have been shocked to discover that the DOM won't pay anyone overtime for their usual round. Whenever someone books it, he ignores it, and argues that the computer says the round can be done in the allocated time. If you argue your case any further, he says, i'll look into it, but he never does. Having spoken to the other guys who work there, none of them bother to book it anymore, because it wont get paid, and they don't want to get singled out, or harrassed by the management.

Surely, the management can't do this?

if u go over your time and still got mail left then bring it back if he wont pay overtime. its then down to him to make sure that mail gets delivered. have a word with union rep if u have one.