COVERING OTHER DUTIES

[martini]

Since April after revision changes I have signed for a day off cover duty and get a rolling day off. I am on full time hours. Previously I was a reserve and could be sent anywhere. Getting duties and day off by text on Friday of each week. I am getting asked if I will cover other walks when those on the same round work their day off. They have a lot of people sick. As I have been asked or do you mind I have agreed. This has only a couple of times and not caused to much inconvenience. This week l was asked again to cover a walk in the main office which is an hour away from where I live. This is my base and my normal duties are much closer. Again I agreed but asked for details of the walk, roads to gauge how hard it would be. I did the walk OK but extra journey and doing a walk not done for a while was a bit of a pain. Now the annoying and ignorant management. Yesterday whilst doing my normal duty I was sent a text saying that I was on a walk in main office next Tue. No asking this telling. None of this discussed face to face as I would challenged this as I have doctors appt on that day. The duty I should do is 15 mins away from where my doctors is and as Tue are normally easier I should finish in time. So now problems because I now have a journey of 50 mins. I phoned lino who said speak to Dom. Spoke to Dom who said Tue easy day so no probs. Who can tell also walk is awkward lots of flats so finishing by 12:30 would not happen. I asked if they get some walk done by ot. Dom says will try to help. Appt is important so this is no good. All my colleagues have told me to refuse, get union involved. I text lino said I would do duty if I only delivered half of walk. Then text Dom and said that I will be doing duty not the one they want me to do. Dom rang back has told I can be moved anywhere operational needs and would help out with this walk. But doing half of walk is out of question. I said if I can be moved then get the job holder who's day off I cover to do the duty. Answer he will only do his duty. Finally Dom says forget the change you cover his duty as they will not pay two people to cover his duty and half of mine. Also no help for me to finish duty. This not a problem as I will finish it. Its annoying that previously I was being asked which makes you think you can say no. But now I am being told. So now I am thinking that if all the people I cover agree to work day off I will be moved around. This being as bad as being a reserve. What's the procedure please. If I say no can they make me move?

[Stella102]

start on your official start time and finish at your official end time that's all you have to do.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Yes they can make anyone move even duty holders so they are being unfair if they are moving only you, it should be spread around more fairly. If they allow the duty holder to do OT on his own duty but allow him to refuse to do another duty, then you are entitled to the same treatment.

If they do make you work in another office then the P&M07 agreement (its in downloads) is quite clear, you start and finish ay your NORMAL time at your NORMAL office. You should also be transported to the other office and back within duty times. They can pay you travel expenses, instead of transporting you, but the same start and finish rules apply.

[enskied]

Yes they can make anyone move even duty holders so they are being unfair if they are moving only you, it should be spread around more fairly. If they allow the duty holder to do OT on his own duty but allow him to refuse to do another duty, then you are entitled to the same treatment.

If they do make you work in another office then the P&M07 agreement (its in downloads) is quite clear, you start and finish ay your NORMAL time at your NORMAL office. You should also be transported to the other office and back within duty times. They can pay you travel expenses, instead of transporting you, but the same start and finish rules apply.

Spot on.. i believe your Break time remains the same too...Makes a huge difference if your DO is operating on a 20/20 split.