• Periods before a break of contract (section 6). Here the general position is that such
periods should be excluded, but with scope to agree locally to vary this in exceptional
circumstances (an example might be someone who had to give up work due to serious
domestic reasons but is later re-employed)
Section 13 of the Way of Working agreement sets out the new definition of seniority, based
in all cases on length of service. The general position is that all service since joining the
business counts for seniority purposes, whether full- or part-time, with the exception of:
• Periods worked on a lower grade than the current one (section 4 of the agreement).
Note that for this purpose all the grades being assimilated into the new Operational
Grade (i.e. PMN, PHG, SL1-6, Cadet, and the part-time equivalents) are treated as
equivalent, as are the three grades being assimilated into the new Support Grade
• Periods worked on a casual contract (section 6)
• Periods of career breaks or sabbaticals (section 6) • Periods before a break of contract (section 6). Here the general position is that such
periods should be excluded, but with scope to agree locally to vary this in exceptional
circumstances (an example might be someone who had to give up work due to serious
domestic reasons but is later re-employed)
The new definition of seniority is the only one that may be used for the grades concerned,
and the new seniority lists must therefore be used for all processes where seniority is
employed as a selection mechanism. Offices may not use alternative lists based on different
locally derived criteria, since this would be contrary to the nationally agreed definition. Note
also that seniority will not be used for leave selection (except possibly to allocate employees
into rotating groups) once local leave selection processes have been reviewed. This will be
necessary to conform with the criteria set out in the agreement on Annual Leave: “all
employees will be included on an equal basis”.
Where several employees started on the same day, the following factors will determine the
relative order: firstly, any periods of Post Office service on other grades, secondly, earliest
date of selection (i.e. of interview) and thirdly, earliest date of birth.
All post by me in Green are Admin Posts. Any post in any other colour is my own responsibility. If you like a news story I posted please click the link to show support Any news stories you can't post - PM me with a link My sharing of news articles should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation of any particular viewpoint or the issues presented. I share them solely for informational purposes.
PhilthyPhil wrote:He goes to the bottom of the seniority list. His annual leave entitlement will be based on total service though.
was just going to say that ,, i have 15 in my current office ,i had 3 in my previous so for holiday entitlement its 18 years ,, there were a lot of heads getting scratched when boys that started the same time as me found out i was getting more holidays than them ,, it will happen again in 2 years when it goes up to 6 weeks