Christmas is coming, is there a plan in place ?

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 03 Oct 2016, 06:04

We`v e finally hit October and are about to hit our busiest time of the year. The problem is, its already busy enough for many of us from looking at various threads and my own experience that we are already struggling to complete most days in our duty time - this wasnt the case for me this time last year, so theres been a noticeable increase in workload.
So, whats going to happen once we hit mid- late November ? (last year once we hit the black friday / cyber monday period our workload went insane for the next 6 weeks) Will our managers be taking into account the extra work we are now doing compared to when most of our duties were created, things like tracked and 2d scanning ? Thats not to mention the incredible increase in packages year on year as more people start to be comfortable and reliant on internet shopping.

There seems to be an expectation by RM that we should "go the extra mile" in this period, but I think this year is going to be a complete disaster, with a very real possibility that as much as half our delivery not getting done and then not being able to get covered so itll remain there again the next day and so on and so on. Add to that, less and less people are now willing to do overtime due to sheer fatigue. I see a busy period coming for our union reps as pressure hits and managers try to intimidate, i really can see it getting ugly.

Do we know if theres a plan by RM to employ a considerable amount of extra staff over this period this year ? Im guessing likely not as they dont seem to ever do this, but this year more than ever they need to. But this is the time they should be really thinking about this and starting to put a final plan in place, not when the problem actually hits them when its too late.

Oh I didnt even mention the forecast of severe weather this winter, if this comes as predicted (and i get the potential hyperbole about these articles) can you imagine what itll do to the amount that we can get delivered ? http://www.express.co.uk/news/weather/7 ... 1474642931" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I hope ive given everyone something to look forward to :Very Happy should be a fun time for us all !

Post by **bustedflush** » 03 Oct 2016, 08:16

Work your time and dump as many packets as you can when the dedicated packet/parcel people come online. They cannot force OT on you even at Christmas.

P.S. The Daily Express is renowned and ridiculed widely for its hysterical, grossly exaggerated and totally false weather headlines.

I could give you tens of examples and if you know anybody experienced in climatology or related to the Met Office as I do, you'd know they are a laughing stock.

Remember this summer? We had the 'Spanish Plume' for a few days getting temperatures in some places to over 30C. The Express "BRITIAN TO SIZZLE FOR 2 WEEKS IN RECORD-BREAKING HEATWAVE" to paraphrase. Yeah, you get the picture.

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 03 Oct 2016, 08:42

oh yeah, im well aware that the weather thing may not turn out, thats not really the main focus, the volume of work we`re going to get is the issue really. Of course following cut off procedure will be done, but its obvious what state the office will get in if there isnt a lot of extra staff brought in. Once this happens I can see a lot of bullying tactics come from under pressure managers.

bluealbert · Post by **bluealbert** » 03 Oct 2016, 09:41

Ffs Daily express are a joke when predicting the weather take no notice pal

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 03 Oct 2016, 10:28

Our DSM has come up with a few great ideas:

- Putting carrots free of charge in the canteen to help us see in the dark
- Candles for those extra cold nights
- Caterpillar tracks on the vans to get through the snow
- Hypnotherapy for those who cut off
- Reminding customers that we love parcels by sending out a letter to every address at the busiest time of year

Bloody hell whats it going to be like when One Wave comes in

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 03 Oct 2016, 14:58

bustedflush wrote:
P.S. The Daily Express is renowned and ridiculed widely for its hysterical, grossly exaggerated and totally false weather headlines.

Fri, Sep 19, 2008 http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/62132/ ... out-winter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; After soggy summer it will be wipe-out winter
Tue, Nov 27, 2012 http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/358717 ... ars-on-way" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Coldest winter in 100 years on way
12 Oct 2013 http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=56363" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Brrrr - Worst winter for decades: Record-breaking snow
8 Oct 2014 http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=65882" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Worst winter for decades: Record-breaking snow predicted
Sep 17, 2015 http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/60 ... now-freeze" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Coldest winter for 50 YEARS set to bring MONTHS of heavy snow to UK

Thats enough I think, they are bound to be right at least once if they make the same prediction time and time again.

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 03 Oct 2016, 16:15

yer probably the same plan as every other year , just expect the staff to drag them out the s**t , but we have a finish time so no probs , seeya

.

Surreypostie · Post by **Surreypostie** » 03 Oct 2016, 16:41

Postie45 wrote:We`v e finally hit October and are about to hit our busiest time of the year. The problem is, its already busy enough for many of us from looking at various threads and my own experience that we are already struggling to complete most days in our duty time - this wasnt the case for me this time last year, so theres been a noticeable increase in workload.
So, whats going to happen once we hit mid- late November ? (last year once we hit the black friday / cyber monday period our workload went insane for the next 6 weeks) Will our managers be taking into account the extra work we are now doing compared to when most of our duties were created, things like tracked and 2d scanning ? Thats not to mention the incredible increase in packages year on year as more people start to be comfortable and reliant on internet shopping.

There seems to be an expectation by RM that we should "go the extra mile" in this period, but I think this year is going to be a complete disaster, with a very real possibility that as much as half our delivery not getting done and then not being able to get covered so itll remain there again the next day and so on and so on. Add to that, less and less people are now willing to do overtime due to sheer fatigue. I see a busy period coming for our union reps as pressure hits and managers try to intimidate, i really can see it getting ugly.

Do we know if theres a plan by RM to employ a considerable amount of extra staff over this period this year ? Im guessing likely not as they dont seem to ever do this, but this year more than ever they need to. But this is the time they should be really thinking about this and starting to put a final plan in place, not when the problem actually hits them when its too late.

Oh I didnt even mention the forecast of severe weather this winter, if this comes as predicted (and i get the potential hyperbole about these articles) can you imagine what itll do to the amount that we can get delivered ? http://www.express.co.uk/news/weather/7 ... 1474642931" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I hope ive given everyone something to look forward to should be a fun time for us all !

Yes there is a plan, they plan to fill up mail centres with loads of extras and just dump it all on delivery and expect us to do some kind of majic and make it all vanish. We don't have enough bodies now to cover duties and there is talk of no overtime being done over xmas, certainly by most opg's. The SOMs seem to think everything is rosey. Could be in for a wake up, I don't think though quite honestly that they give a flying figg.

Post by **CPTNemoUK** » 03 Oct 2016, 16:47

Just been told today in my office that i am on packets over christmas 1pm till 8pm. With alternate days off tuesday saturday. At least i don't have to walk the streets in the rain

Bahia Feliz · Post by **Bahia Feliz** » 03 Oct 2016, 17:03

CPTNemoUK wrote:Just been told today in my office that i am on packets over christmas 1pm till 8pm. With alternate days off tuesday saturday. At least i don't have to walk the streets in the rain

No Xmas tips for you

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 03 Oct 2016, 17:18

The Plan, as always

Foresight Unknown and Battling Against Rage

Sir Henry · Post by **Sir Henry** » 03 Oct 2016, 17:35

I can think of a more traditional meaning to that particular acronym.....

RMs plan at Xmas is as ever....

Sir Henry · Post by **Sir Henry** » 03 Oct 2016, 17:36

I can think of a more traditional meaning to that particular acronym.....

RMs plan at Xmas is as ever.....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6LTq1CAoi7E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 03 Oct 2016, 17:37

As can I.

Post by **CPTNemoUK** » 03 Oct 2016, 17:48

Bahia Feliz wrote:
CPTNemoUK wrote:Just been told today in my office that i am on packets over christmas 1pm till 8pm. With alternate days off tuesday saturday. At least i don't have to walk the streets in the rain
No Xmas tips for you

Thanks for bursting my bubble lol