Returning Packets when office is closed.

[Ossie From Preston]

Don't take big packets out simple. My partner does a lot of overtime on Saturdays he only takes out what goes through the door then he has a key to the yard where he locks his returns in a trolley in the shed till Monday. Ask you manager to do something like that problem solved.

[Rudolph_Hucker]

The really sad thing about all this, is how managers and some senior staff will leave a new postie out on his own trying to learn his trade.

There's enough stress initially learning the job without worrying whether or not you can get back into the office or not.

Managers must know a chap is out and possibly struggling and should either phone and/or go out to him and help him.

A mate of mine left the job after 2 weeks because this exact thing happened to him. He thought if this is the level of care they offer then they can stuff the job.

It really is a total disgrace and emails should be sent up the food chain!

[arthur was right]

The delivery manager should.... at all times...... be the last person there [NO IFS OR BUTS!] Why do we have these later starts and finishes anyway? NOBODY WANTS IT LIKE THIS NOBODY AT ALL!!!!! CUSTOMERS WANT THERE MAIL EARLIER STAFF WANT TO START EARLIER SO WHY O WHY IS IT LIKE THIS AND FOR THE UMPTEETH TIME I ASK WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR UNION.
I REPEAT WE ALL WANT EARLY STARTS AND EARLY FINISHES BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THE CUSTOMERS DO TOO.

[arnold cheshire]

you shouldnt be delivering in your car so therefore leave them in the VAN

[Lounge Lizard]

There should be some contingency plan in place.

One saturday years ago I got a knock at my door on a Saturday afternoon from a relatively new start,I look out to see a Royal Mail van parked outside my house.

The poor guy was bricking it.He had turned up at the office to find it closed,had no idea what to do with the van or what was in it or more importantly how to get his car and house keys back out of the office.
I knew where our (proper old school)PHG lived and I knew he had a set of keys so we drove round to his house only to find he had gone to his caravan for the weekend.

The last resort was the manager's house which was a big posh thing out in the country so we rolled up his very long drive only to find he was entertaining his even posher in-laws for the day.
They were not impressed when the old LDV Pilot pulled up alongside their Mercedes and a couple of posties rolled out.
He threw the keys at us,didn't even offer us a drink

The big mistake here was "how to get his car and house keys back out of the office".
Imagine locked out and having to find a strange bed and BREAKFAST for the weekend.

[Rudolph_Hucker]

Don't take big packets out simple. My partner does a lot of overtime on Saturdays he only takes out what goes through the door then he has a key to the yard where he locks his returns in a trolley in the shed till Monday. Ask you manager to do something like that problem solved.

Sorry but do you honestly think somebody who has been on the job a month or so is going to say to his DOM "Sorry boss but as it's Saturday and you may have gone by the time I get back I'm only taking out small packets (Sorry, I meant parcels!)"

What do you think the DOM's reply would have been?

We could make this a caption competition!

[Stormproof]

Most managers are off home as soon as the last person has gone out on delivery........as for the DOM's most of them never see a Saturday in a DO. Having said that our new 'Performance Manager' seems to be at work 24/7, apparently in his couple of years at RM he is the best thing since sliced bread, he was the best blue shirt ever and never made a mistake and would give Crammy a run for his money

[north london driver]

take them to a post office

Post Offices close earlier than a DO on a Saturday.

my mistake,were still out on the streets at 7am of a saturday and dont get this problem

has your office had a revision if you have how do you get out by 7.00am.

[Ossie From Preston]

Don't take big packets out simple. My partner does a lot of overtime on Saturdays he only takes out what goes through the door then he has a key to the yard where he locks his returns in a trolley in the shed till Monday. Ask you manager to do something like that problem solved.

Sorry but do you honestly think somebody who has been on the job a month or so is going to say to his DOM "Sorry boss but as it's Saturday and you may have gone by the time I get back I'm only taking out small packets (Sorry, I meant parcels!)"

What do you think the DOM's reply would have been?

We could make this a caption competition!

He will have to ask him "What do you want me to do with the returns if closed" in front of a rep then leave it with him his problem.

[Rudolph_Hucker]

Don't take big packets out simple. My partner does a lot of overtime on Saturdays he only takes out what goes through the door then he has a key to the yard where he locks his returns in a trolley in the shed till Monday. Ask you manager to do something like that problem solved.

Sorry but do you honestly think somebody who has been on the job a month or so is going to say to his DOM "Sorry boss but as it's Saturday and you may have gone by the time I get back I'm only taking out small packets (Sorry, I meant parcels!)"

What do you think the DOM's reply would have been?

We could make this a caption competition!

He will have to ask him "What do you want me to do with the returns if closed" in front of a rep then leave it with him his problem.

He is new, just like me. I wouldn't have the gonads to say that to my DOM what you suggest. He'd say get on with it.

You may have passed your probation period and can speak with a position of power with no worry as to what your DOM may say. Posties like us are not in such a privileged position.

[Lincox]

Rudolph, in some respects you are in a stronger position because as a new starter you would be genuinely asking for help and advice what to do, and any manager worth his salt would recognise the need to make provisions . Whereas a long server would probably be regarded as doing it as a nuisance factor.

[pissedoffpete]

whatever you do you must not take them home

[Rudolph_Hucker]

Rudolph, in some respects you are in a stronger position because as a new starter you would be genuinely asking for help and advice what to do, and any manager worth his salt would recognise the need to make provisions . Whereas a long server would probably be regarded as doing it as a nuisance factor.

Fair comment. There is, however a difference between asking for advice and saying I'm not taking out packets X Y and Z as they are too big.

Your statement also endorses what I said when you said "and any manager worth his salt would recognise the need to make provisions". That is the problem, any decent manager would not lock the doors, knowingly leaving a new postie out on his round, regardless of if he has parcels or just letters with him. Surely (I know, I won't call you surely again! ) this action could be construed as negligence of duty, or whatever the term is?

[UnhappyGremlin]

Think it would be failing in their duty of care to you.
Problems is, if they wait for everyone to return, then that means they can't go home early, and they have to work their hours.
I'm sure all would agree, that would be entirely unreasonable.

[arnold cheshire]

Think it would be failing in their duty of care to you.
Problems is, if they wait for everyone to return, then that means they can't go home early, and they have to work their hours.
I'm sure all would agree, that would be entirely unreasonable.

why would they be failing in their duty of care ? number 1 they shouldnt be in their own car and if struggling they should have informed dom and drove back before the office closed or if in OMV they should have a key to the gate