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Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
Postie_since_1989
Posts: 18
Joined: 20 Oct 2013, 11:34
Gender: Male

Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by Postie_since_1989 »

Colleagues,

Now I am sure some of you will be able to put me right but I believe there is no agreement whatsoever on Prep Testing in Delivery Offices. That being the case I am wondering why my DOM has decided that the best way to help those OPG's who have difficulty in completing their duties (and absorbtion) on time is to give them a prep test.
I am well aware that this is seemingly another method of intimidating staff, because if they "pass" the test, then when in future they are later to finish their prep they will be told that they are swinging the lead, and deliberately going slow, you can imagine the conversation; "When we tested you you were finished your prep at 0845, however today you are 45 minutes later tying up, therefore we aren't going to pay you overtime!".
Now I am wise enough to know that there are many OPG's who when faced with this type of management dilema will not break off, and will not claim overtime but just carry on and finish their job in their own time, which is obviously wrong.
What I would like to know is how many of you are starting to see this unagreed, and unfair practice starting to raise its head?
In Solidarity!
UnhappyGremlin
Posts: 2685
Joined: 18 May 2012, 20:49
Gender: Male
Location: Hiding

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by UnhappyGremlin »

To be fair, I don't think there is anything new about it.
It's been happening for a while around the country.

There is a one minute test, but I think it's on IPS only, and has to be on an empty frame.
Speak to the Rep/Area Rep.

If they refuse OT, tell them you won't finish using the 'Overrunning Deliveries Procedure'.
Sometimes, I wish I wasn't a Rep.
IcanthelpthewayIam
Posts: 4067
Joined: 26 May 2009, 13:37
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by IcanthelpthewayIam »

UnhappyGremlin wrote:To be fair, I don't think there is anything new about it.
It's been happening for a while around the country.

There is a one minute test, but I think it's on IPS only, and has to be on an empty frame.
Speak to the Rep/Area Rep.

If they refuse OT, tell them you won't finish using the 'Overrunning Deliveries Procedure'.
its a 1 minute test on any frame, frame must be empty of all mail, and theres different standards for each type of frame, but remember its only for 1 min and its not a continuous rate for x amount of time
redneck
Posts: 788
Joined: 04 Jan 2010, 20:28
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by redneck »

What is the agreed amount of mail to be sorted in that 1 minute period, out of interest? Is it on 'mech/pre-sorted' or the larger flats via IPS?
IcanthelpthewayIam
Posts: 4067
Joined: 26 May 2009, 13:37
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by IcanthelpthewayIam »

redneck wrote:What is the agreed amount of mail to be sorted in that 1 minute period, out of interest? Is it on 'mech/pre-sorted' or the larger flats via IPS?
they are in the download section

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=52955" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
ebbzie
Posts: 660
Joined: 14 Jun 2011, 17:22
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by ebbzie »

is there an agreed test when prepping your walk? One of our lads had the DOM sit behind him for the entire morning, is this right?????
hantsman
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 876
Joined: 14 Jul 2009, 09:33
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by hantsman »

ebbzie wrote:is there an agreed test when prepping your walk? One of our lads had the DOM sit behind him for the entire morning, is this right?????

Doubt if the DOM had that time to waste TBH.
IcanthelpthewayIam
Posts: 4067
Joined: 26 May 2009, 13:37
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by IcanthelpthewayIam »

ebbzie wrote:is there an agreed test when prepping your walk? One of our lads had the DOM sit behind him for the entire morning, is this right?????

As I said earlier, it's only a 1 minute prep test in a completely empty frame that's been agreed to. Nothing else whatso ever has been agreed as a performance standard
k979aaa
Posts: 12578
Joined: 03 Sep 2007, 19:14
Gender: Male
Location: THE NORTH

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by k979aaa »

What is the prep rate on the new backless frames the one's the mail come's flying out at you if you sort too fast?
coxie
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1336
Joined: 09 Oct 2009, 14:57
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by coxie »

Also as far as I know there is no agreed prep test rate for frames that have double slots
k979aaa
Posts: 12578
Joined: 03 Sep 2007, 19:14
Gender: Male
Location: THE NORTH

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by k979aaa »

coxie wrote:Also as far as I know there is no agreed prep test rate for frames that have double slots
Your thinking RM2000 these things have bunges at the back on IPS.
ebbzie
Posts: 660
Joined: 14 Jun 2011, 17:22
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by ebbzie »

zx135 wrote:
ebbzie wrote:is there an agreed test when prepping your walk? One of our lads had the DOM sit behind him for the entire morning, is this right?????

As I said earlier, it's only a 1 minute prep test in a completely empty frame that's been agreed to. Nothing else whatso ever has been agreed as a performance standard
Ome of the reasons i ask is because im expecting it to happen to me soon, so i can refuse this then and insist on the 1 minute test only?
Sidley
Posts: 653
Joined: 16 Jun 2012, 22:01
Gender: Male

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by Sidley »

Just let the arsehole test you however he wants, let him waste his time then tell him to shove the results up his cat flap.
The only upshot if you fail the test is that you get training anyway so balls to it and them.
Last edited by Sidley on 20 Oct 2013, 18:08, edited 1 time in total.
k979aaa
Posts: 12578
Joined: 03 Sep 2007, 19:14
Gender: Male
Location: THE NORTH

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by k979aaa »

ebbzie wrote:
zx135 wrote:
ebbzie wrote:is there an agreed test when prepping your walk? One of our lads had the DOM sit behind him for the entire morning, is this right?????

As I said earlier, it's only a 1 minute prep test in a completely empty frame that's been agreed to. Nothing else whatso ever has been agreed as a performance standard
Ome of the reasons i ask is because im expecting it to happen to me soon, so i can refuse this then and insist on the 1 minute test only?
Is this part of what we are all fighting for some clarity of a fair days work for the pay we receive!
bigcol
Posts: 404
Joined: 21 Jun 2010, 13:29
Gender: Male
Location: Officially the worst DO

Re: Prep Testing-A New Method of Harrassing Staff?

Post by bigcol »

Postie_since_1989 wrote:I am well aware that this is seemingly another method of intimidating staff, because if they "pass" the test, then when in future they are later to finish their prep they will be told that they are swinging the lead, and deliberately going slow, you can imagine the conversation; "When we tested you you were finished your prep at 0845, however today you are 45 minutes later tying up, therefore we aren't going to pay you overtime!".
Followed by "I've got more mail today and the longer we talk about this the more overtime I'm getting. Sorry, did I interrupt you?" :wave