Rotating days off advice please.

Beckilovesme · Post by **Beckilovesme** » 02 Jun 2016, 16:49

Hello everyone,

Wondering if someone could explain how the days off work please.
I have just been told that my application and interview was successful and in process of checks now.
The contract I will be working is 25hrs Monday - Saturday with one rotating day off. This is fine for me but in order to book regular medical appointments I would need to be able to work out my days off once I start.

Does it mean, for example, if my first day off is on Monday my first week, then my day off on my second week would be Tuesday, and 3rd week a Wednesday and so forth? Or is it rather sporadic and agreed last minute?

Thank you in advance xxx

Post by **osgoody1970** » 02 Jun 2016, 16:54

Post by **General Mannerheim** » 02 Jun 2016, 16:57

That's how it is supposed to be but in a lot of Royal Mail offices the reserves are shoved from pillar to post on different rounds and rarely get to do their `normal` rotating day off as management like to use the operational needs rubbish, as for having a Saturday off you will be lucky.
Oh and good luck with the whole I need time off for medical appointments as well.

Post by **greengiant** » 02 Jun 2016, 17:01

I don't want to put a damper on you getting your new job.
If you are kept on the same route, then your days off should rotate.
If however, you are put on different duties each week (or day for that matter!) then your days off could be anywhere in the week. Such is the life of a RM reserve!

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 02 Jun 2016, 17:12

Beckilovesme wrote: Does it mean, for example, if my first day off is on Monday my first week, then my day off on my second week would be Tuesday, and 3rd week a Wednesday and so forth?

That's it exactly (although your first day off could be any day, not necessarily Monday). When you get to Saturday, you will be off the Monday, so getting a nice long weekend.

That's the theory, and if you are on the same duty for the first few months, it should be the practice. If you get moved around then your day off will move around. If you have an understanding manager, he will try to keep your day off rotating, or at least give you good notice.

I seem to be in one of the better offices and my day of has rotated for years (since I started). Maybe you will be as lucky. Good luck.

Chewster · Post by **Chewster** » 02 Jun 2016, 17:41

I've worked here for about 18 months now and I've yet to see a Saturday off...

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 02 Jun 2016, 18:25

Chewster wrote:I've worked here for about 18 months now and I've yet to see a Saturday off...

12 years for me

daveyeff · Post by **daveyeff** » 02 Jun 2016, 18:30

you havn't had a Saturday off in 12yrs?

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 02 Jun 2016, 18:34

as others have said, you are likely not to have routine days off when you first start until you can sign for a duty. Depending on office size this could take up to 2 years.
At first youll likely be a reserve, which basically means each week you get put on a delivery where the duty holder is on holiday. Youll probably have the potential to do a lot of overtime too. Of course RM being such a huge company, office to office things can vary widely so no one can tell you exactly what to expect.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 02 Jun 2016, 19:27

daveyeff wrote:you havn't had a Saturday off in 12yrs?

except for weeks off or the occasional single 1 days leave - No.

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 02 Jun 2016, 20:32

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
daveyeff wrote:you havn't had a Saturday off in 12yrs?
except for weeks off or the occasional single 1 days leave - No.

i assume thats through choice, working your day off as an SA or something ?

Chewster · Post by **Chewster** » 02 Jun 2016, 20:54

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
Chewster wrote:I've worked here for about 18 months now and I've yet to see a Saturday off...
12 years for me

So...You are what I will become in the future...

Darren Bent · Post by **Darren Bent** » 02 Jun 2016, 20:54

as long the office is run fairly you will get a Saturday off every 6 weeks. Sometimes managers swap day off ie bank holiday week and you get Monday off instead of one of other 5 days. if you need to make appointment you can ask your colleagues to swap for your Wednesday for their Thursday for example.

Beckilovesme · Post by **Beckilovesme** » 02 Jun 2016, 21:52

Thank you for the advice guys, I hope I do get put on a regular one pretty quick as id like to be able to plan for things.

I don't mind not having a Saturday off as I usually work on Saturdays anyways. I would prefer a week day off. I hope there is the opportunity for a good amount of overtime too.

Chewster · Post by **Chewster** » 02 Jun 2016, 23:12

Oh there should be plenty opportunity for overtime,I'd say that's a given!