Am i classed as a reserve?

mattandbenny · Post by **mattandbenny** » 21 Apr 2017, 13:17

So i started working for RM 5 months ago and since i first started i have been covering a vacant duty - every day since i started i've been on the same walk with the same rotating day off every week etc.

Now this weekend is my saturday off, however a manager text me earlier to say i don't have tomorrow off anymore, as a reserve i was given bank holiday monday off.

Can they do this? As i've been covering a vacant duty since day 1 i believed i had the same rights as they would have had.

I've made plans tomorrowand said i can't work it, so just want to know if i'm in the wrong or if they are just trying it on?

Dantheunit · Post by **Dantheunit** » 21 Apr 2017, 14:10

Your union rep would be the person to ask about this.
But you're almost certainly a reserve yes. the manager is probably trying it on, but he may still technically be correct.
Every office is run differently.

Post by **97gaz** » 21 Apr 2017, 15:32

Clared · Post by **Clared** » 21 Apr 2017, 22:54

mattandbenny wrote:So i started working for RM 5 months ago and since i first started i have been covering a vacant duty - every day since i started i've been on the same walk with the same rotating day off every week etc.

Now this weekend is my saturday off, however a manager text me earlier to say i don't have tomorrow off anymore, as a reserve i was given bank holiday monday off.

Can they do this? As i've been covering a vacant duty since day 1 i believed i had the same rights as they would have had.

I've made plans tomorrowand said i can't work it, so just want to know if i'm in the wrong or if they are just trying it on?

Yep they did exactly the same to me last week ! Worked all week & then got told Friday is my D/O when it should have been my weekend off. Also got told the monday was my d/o & I would have to pick it up as a day in lieu so claimed 2 extra days in lieu to take another time that will be fun when there is any days to take

Post by **Judgee** » 21 Apr 2017, 23:36

Yes you are a reserve and a lucky one at that. Not many get to cover a duty for 5 months, many are pushed from pillar to post every week and often every day from the day they start. Yes they can change your day off but most would give you a bit more notice. Don't think there is much you can do about it, could try your union rep and explain you have plans? Would be careful though as you could end up being taken off your cover walk and put on different duties every week/day!

Post by **postiewhite** » 23 Apr 2017, 17:55

As long as they give you a day off then there is nothing you can do? Are there other reserves in your office, if so how do you think they feel as they will probably get bank holiday Monday off. To be fair you have been very lucky anyway having a duty with set days off. Ive been a reserve 4 years and I don't know my day out until about a day before the weekend starts.

Post by **Pathfinder** » 23 Apr 2017, 18:10

Sounds like a reserve duty to me, is a cover duty the same whereby you get random days off? I can never tell anymore!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 Apr 2017, 18:56

Pathfinder wrote:Sounds like a reserve duty to me, is a cover duty the same whereby you get random days off? I can never tell anymore!

In my office:

A Reserve: Can be placed on any duty at any time has no fixed duty or duty pattern. Usually covers sickness, absences and leave.

A Cover: Can be placed on any duty, but ideally with their agreement. Usually has a set pattern of duties and a set pattern of days off.

for example:

Reserve Mon duty C, Tuesday Duty C, Wednesday Duty D, Thursday off, Friday Duty A, Saturday Duty D. Following weak more randomness.

Cover Mon Duty A, Tue Duty B, Wed Duty C, Thursday off, Friday Duty D, Saturday Duty E. Following week repeat, or rinse and repeat.