Delivering exactly according to sorting frame

[Paulo1963]

I was on delivery after leaving an agreed cut off that I wouldn't be able to complete. There is a small part of my delivery that I do not do according to the frame as it would take longer than the way I currently do it. I was patrolled by a manager who asked how much mail I had left, which I honestly explained. He then went back to the office, looked at my frame, and claimed I had only 30 houses left to deliver to (the time being 1.05pm) whereas the reality was I had 120 houses left as I do this part of my walk slightly differently to the frame to save re-walking the same ground. I have explained this at an initial meeting but face a fact finding second meeting soon. The patrolling manager never checked my trolley to see how much mail I had left and seems to ignore my explanations as he asserts all mail should be delivered exactly according to how the the frame is set out. I never set the frame up as I took the duty over from someone who left. I have completed a new frame set out form, which I shall present at my meeting. Any advice on what I can expect?

[fishtank]

Did you finish before your time?
If the answer is no that's the point where the fact finding meeting should end and your rep should know that..
The rest is meaningless,120 houses,30 houses or even 5 houses.

[Paulo1963]

I returned to the office aprrox 2.00pm after completing the rest over the mail I had in my trolley.

[Lincox]

Ask how you are expected to complete all of your specials by 1,0 clock if you are unable to deviate from the frame. Tossers.

[fishtank]

There are certain points you should put across at the fact finding just to make sure they appear in the notes.

1. The time you were "patrolled".
2. How much work you had left.
3. The fact that you explained how much work you had left.
4. The fact that the manager made no attempt to check how much mail you had left.
5. The time you returned to the office/signed out.
6. Any witnesses who saw you return to the office.

Make sure your rep is present.
Stay calm and make sure those facts are noted,do not get into an argument over frame layout,I'ts irrelevant.
There is no "rule" that you have to deliver as per the frame layout.

[olilew]

i can cover any walk in our office and i don't think i do a single one to the frame!

[youwot!!!!!]

this is just payback for you not taking all of your mail out and leaving them with a problem,hence they are causing you a problem with this load of bollox.
just state your facts and dont argue the toss with them and you will be ok

[Paulo1963]

Cheers guys. Im more angry than anything else over this as they are making a mountain out of a mole hill. By doing the walk my way rather than to the frame Im actually doing them a favour by getting the walk done quicker and this is the thanks you get! After being a postman for 24 yrs without ever being in trouble I am now totally disillusioned with my employer.

[motch]

this is just payback for you not taking all of your mail out and leaving them with a problem,hence they are causing you a problem with this load of bollox.
just state your facts and dont argue the toss with them and you will be ok

indeed, I had a similar thing a few years ago. it's difficult to judge how much you're going to get done to the Letter, do what the others have suggested here, i would feel very stressed about this sort of thing too......

[DB1100]

Cheers guys. Im more angry than anything else over this as they are making a mountain out of a mole hill. By doing the walk my way rather than to the frame Im actually doing them a favour by getting the walk done quicker and this is the thanks you get! After being a postman for 24 yrs without ever being in trouble I am now totally disillusioned with my employer.

Me too mate,I've done a kilomathon with a 25kg bergen and a very hard endurance race 5 times and now according to my Dim I have performance issue's and might be taken off my round because I might not be up to it,my attitude towards Royal mail has fell thru the floor,I'm glad I've only got 10 or so years left here.

[Lincox]

Once you have been cleared, I would ask them to put in writing to you, why you were being patrolled when your manager had already agreed that you would be unable to complete (presumably having checked the office traffic figures for the day, and to which you are entitled to a copy of.) and had agreed the amount of delivery points to leave. Also request a copy of the CWU/Royal Mail Agreement that states that you must deliver in accordance with the frame. State that you consider that you have been victimised and treated differently just because you wish to work to your time and that this is in contravention of the recent joint statement issued by CWU and Royal Mail and that you will be taking this matter up directly with the signatories of that joint statement.

[Paulo1963]

I understand why they are patrolling as there are people leaving a cut off and still finishing a bit early but my own situation could have been cleared up in 30 seconds had my line manager come round to my frame so that I could show him how I do my walk. He refused to come to my frame.He's one intent was to get me upstairs for a second interview with the DOM. Maybe he is seeking brownie points.