Hypothetical question - postman with a broken leg

[Amberley]

Hello,

I'm hoping you can help with a hypothetical question. What would happen if a postman had a broken leg and was therefore unable to do his deliveries? Would he be on sick leave until it was fully healed? Or if he could get about on crutches, would he be expected to come in to work? Is there something called light duties and what would that consist of? (I know very little about being a postman/woman). Hope you don't mind me asking this in this forum. Thanks!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Even hypothetically speaking it's a difficult one to answer as it depends on so many variables. However our Occupational Health provider (OH Assist) should be able to advise on specific cases and the Posties own GP should be able to advise them as well via the "Fit Note". Managers will be guided by their advice and should take into account any local conditions.

However, with a certain degree of certainty it's possible to say that Royal Mail will try to get them back to work as soon as possible, especially if they can do something on light duties.

[ziggy]

I was told if you can't get shoes on then you can't go to work for H&S reasons. So while you have a hypothetical cast on your leg then you can't work

[centenaryman]

we had lads with broken legs.....playing football.....u cant go to work in plaster and on crutches...health and safety.

imagine if there was a fire,,,,can u make it out of the office in time on crutches.

a mate was off for a while,,,,then yes for a long time was on light duties,,,and again in time built it up with a bit of out door work gradually getting more each week till he was able to do a full walk

[malcolm3011]

I broke my leg a few years ago while on delivery, it was a bad break and was in a full leg cast for 5 months then a shortened cast up to the knee for 2 months, had to have hydro and physiotherapy for a month after that and was off work for 8 months, taking into account this was years ago and i wasn't pressurized to come back to work till fully recovered, probably be alot different now.

[Amberley]

Thank you all, this has been helpful to know!

[simply_the_best]

Is it just me?


A walking job with a broken leg

[wacko74]

In my experience RM managers tend to play the light duties card as and when it suits them... I've known examples of posties being put under pressure to 'come in and do light duties' when they've got a valid sick note... whilst at other times posties have been unfit for delivery but have offered to come in and do light duties only to be told there is no such thing as light duties anymore you're either fit to carry out your delivery or you're off sick and subject to the absence stage process.

[greengiant]

Is it just me?


A walking job with a broken leg

Or knee surgery no doubt dim would say "a couple of paracetamol and you'll be fine for a couple of wee loops"

[Dorset Plodder]

I believe the Goalposts are moving again! We've had several Posties, who in the Old Days would simply have been "Off Sick", being asked to come in on Light Duties.

Like previous posters I was always under the impression that there was no such thing in this Business.....It appears I am wrong. With there being such a shortage of Boots on the Ground to actually deliver the mail, these Light Duties are asked to prep the Households, Sort ISP and Throw Off one (or two) Duties (all of which can be done sat down resting broken legs and twisted knees). This then leaves the Fit Posties with more time to actually take more mail out and deliver it!

I suppose it's the Old Managing the Surplus Thingey? But I believe it's the thin end of the wedge. So in theory you could have "Sick" Posties doing all the indoor prep and "Fit" Posties being expected to be out on Delivery for a Full 7 hrs 45 mins!

We've even had "Sick" Posties riding shotgun in a van (after prepping) and directing the "Fit" Postie where to go and Deliver........ on Duties that the "Fit" Postie is unfamiliar with. Apparently the Diktats from on High are saying that if you can get "Sick" Posties in to do Anything then they're not classed as "Off Sick" and therefore don't appear in the Sickness Figures. Sounds like Royal Mail Higher Management have been learning lessons from our Political Masters? Or more likely it's got something to do with triggering the DSMs bonus payments!

[music4essex]

we had a guy who was forced to come in on crutches , after he twisted his ankle out on delivery , he done inside work , but i thought it would be a H/S issue for him and those working around him , but as the last poster put , it is more to do with managers bonus . not the safety of the workforce

Essex mum

[bogstandard]

we had a guy who was forced to come in on crutches , after he twisted his ankle out on delivery , he done inside work , but i thought it would be a H/S issue for him and those working around him , but as the last poster put , it is more to do with managers bonus . not the safety of the workforce

Essex mum

quite true it is not only the individual (in the event of a fire for instance) who is at risk, so are their work colleagues and the fire and rescue services.