Possibly being exploited?

[Lewis1993]

Hey so I'm not sure how to word this, or if I even have a right to complain here, but I started in Royal mail just under two months ago, was very excited to get the job and raring to go, however after I did my training things seemed to get a little bleak looking.
To explain, I had at the time very little knowledge of the different duties and their details when I first started, so I didnt question anything until about a month in, however its been made almost excruciatingly clear to me by almost every other member of staff there, that I've been shafted onto the longest an hardest duty in the office.
Again I dont want to seem like im just being fussy, but my issue is that when i applied it was for a position of 24 hours, 8:00-14:30 4 days a week, and this suited me to a tee, of course though I wouldnt mind doing overtime when needs must.
However what has actually transpired is very different, I'm into the depot by no later than 6:30 to start putting the mail into the frame (although everybody only gets paid from 7:15 onwards) and if I dont get in this early, due to the number of houses on the duty (850+), I wouldnt be out to deliver until around 10am or later. This wouldnt bother me quite as much, except that the area covered is quite a nice one, and consequently there are almost twice the amount of packets and parcels that other, smaller duties (though similar enough in size) receive, and a significant difference in both mail and parcels from the smaller duties. Because of this, despite being in earlier than most, I'm almost always the last one back in, not being finished and signed out until 17:30+, while in the morning i hear others talk about getting finished at 14:00 and calling it 'late'

I know this is obviously in part due to my being relatively new and of course not as fast as experienced guys, but it means my day is around 12 hours long as opposed to the aforementioned 6.5, and on top of this they have me in 5 days a week, which puts me on nearly 60 hours(from leaving my house to returning), around 50 of which are paid, over double what im supposed to be doing.
I have been hoping that they will train me on an easier route, as even the managers themselves told me at the beginning that this duty is very difficult, however as times gone by im becoming more and more convinced that they have me on this duty because nobody else wanted it, and they intend to keep me there.

I dont want to sound like a moan but im really troubled here because i know if id been started on something a bit simpler id be loving this job but i cant help but feel like Ive got a really raw deal, up at 5:45am and not home until 6pm, exhausted from the walk so basically just get some food and go to bed, this isnt what i signed up for, is there anything I can do to get them to reduce the hours they're overflowing me with? Im within my 13 week probation so i know i have to tread carefully, any help or advice would be absolutely appreciated.

the duty involves about 13 miles of walking, and is about 70% hills, just to give you an idea.

[I_Take_My_Breaks]

A story of being massively exploited and also 4 days of 0800 - 1430 is 26 hours a weeks and not 24 hours.

I smell a rat!!!!

[doorstepped]

you DON'T have to work more than your allotted hours unless YOU want to.
it is your choice if you want the overtime, same as it's your choice if you want to work extra days.

DON'T come in early ( you are giving them free money 10 hours a week in £52 x 48 = £5000 a year you are giving RM in free work ) speak to your rep if you are unhappy, they know the rules etc.

you need to come in at 08.00 like your contract says, you should have part of your frame thrown in for you ( Mech and possibly some Flats from the IPS as well - I bet this does not happen yet ) once you have thrown everything in ( except packets / re-directions ) and you know that you will go over your time, ask the Rep to go with you to see the Dom and say that you will not be able to complete.
The Dom should then have a discussion with yourself and agree on what will be left in etc and for you to take out what was agreed.

Newbies will always get shat on but you need to be strong and stand up for yourself and stick to your rules and don't just bend over backwards and be shafted.

[datasaint]

Firstly, why are you working hours and not getting paid for it?

1) Join the union straight away. http://www.cwu.org/join-cwu-now.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2) Speak to your union rep about your concerns.
3) Either ask to be given prep time paid as overtime before your official start time, or come in on time if you don't want the OT or they won't pay it.
4) Overtime is your choice, nobody should be doing 12 hour days if they don't want to.

Out of interest have you signed the working time directive 48 hour week opt-out?

[Lewis1993]

Thanks guys sorry I was out enjoying my day off!

I know I shouldn't be coming in early but thats part of the bind im in, I was amazed when i was told it happened and that they got away with it but apparently in the office thats just how it works, paid from 7:15 (which is the start time on the timesheets) but not before, though if i did come in then like i say id be out all night! Besides if i kick up a fuss too early it wouldnt be the first time ive heard of an employee being let go after probation for 'bad attitude' in the workplace, so its a rock and a hard place.

as far as the contract goes, it just specifies 24hr/week, i scanned through the other day to see if there were times or days specifically but there arent, the only relevant piece says that If royal mail requires it i may have to work extra hours (but surely not to this extent??)

Weirdly there isnt a rep in our depot, we work as a sort of tag team with another office but il get his number and call him tomorrow, il let you guy know what he says.


I would have said the same about OT but I really dont want to mess this up for myself, I have been rushing round like mad (literally running sections when i dont have any parcels) to try to keep my time as low as possible, and due to this I have of course made a few mistakes (letters through neighbours doors etc) which I was called up on and told if it happened again it would affect my 13 week review. Sounds like scare tactics to me tbh but I dont wanna give them a reason to boot me!

You guys have been real helpful though my main concern was not knowing if I actually have a leg to stand on here or if i'm just being moany, il call the union fella tomorrow and ask him straight up before i do anything, and I honestly dont remember if i signed the opt out directive, il find out tomorrow, I dont think I would have agreed to these hours if it was properly explained though

[Jpro747]

You can't be sacked for 'bad attitude' because you don't want to work for free. Sounds like they are trying to intimidate you. Are you on a temp contract?

[bogstandard]

why not ask to be timed or shadowed by the rep and a manager. Tell them you know that something is wrong because of the times you are finishing. Perhaps they may well be able to point out your faults, then again perhaps they may not and the walk is massive. On the other hand you could tough it out for 4 more months and trigger the review of your contract which will be increased based on the hours you have actually worked, speak to your rep about that.
Join the union now though as your rep is not allowed to deal with issues retrospectively, meaning you cant raise it with management get no joy then join the union and try again.

[Lewis1993]

Nope I'm on a permanent contract but still in probation, I'm not qyluitting by any means il tough it out as you say there's bound to be a light at the end of the tunnel haha, I filled in the application forms for the union last night il check on it later, but I don't want my contract increased I want the house decreased haha thanks for all the info il post the outcome of what I do for future new starts to see!

[zzzidane]

Bogstandard, what is this triggering of a review of your contract based on the hours u actually work tht u mentioned?? I, like lewis work, regularly work in excess of my 25 hour contract. I prob average nearer 38/40 hours per week but i dont mind this as i need the money. But what i dnt like, is the fact my contract has never been increased meaning when im on holiday, i must work some of my time off to make up the shortfall which is wrong.
Lewis, gud luck getting this sorted but u must stop working for free, that is 110% nt right or acceptable imo.

[bogstandard]

Bogstandard, what is this triggering of a review of your contract based on the hours u actually work tht u mentioned?? I, like lewis work, regularly work in excess of my 25 hour contract. I prob average nearer 38/40 hours per week but i dont mind this as i need the money. But what i dnt like, is the fact my contract has never been increased meaning when im on holiday, i must work some of my time off to make up the shortfall which is wrong.
Lewis, gud luck getting this sorted but u must stop working for free, that is 110% nt right or acceptable imo.

taken from Agenda for growth, stability and long term success,
part of
2. Legally Binding Undertakings by the Employer to the Union
2.7.7 The level of part time Employees’ contracted hours will be reviewed by the
Employer and the CWU locally on a six monthly basis. Where appropriate,
increased contracted hours will be offered to reflect the hours actually
worked and planned.

an argument for the business may exist around the word "planned", however if you are required,expected, used to, normally attend for those times then it not beyond the realms os of possibility that this is part of the plan as it is not alternatively resourced against