Couldn't complete round - What happens now !!

[DocketLefty]

If you're rep is rubbish, or not in then find an experienced postie and ask him to come and speak to the manager with you.

[Mobey]

I haven't taken my meal relief as I wanted to get as much done as possible & because my feet & ankles hurt, it makes them worse if I rest them so I just carry on...

I think you hit the nail on the head there. When you're new, you want to make a good first impression.

You also are really worried about if your contract is going to be renewed if you are on a 6 month or 12 month contract. You're worried that they might not increase your hours because your on 20!

But if you are extremely lucky, your contract will be permanent and will be over 30 hours!

[bustedflush]

We are currently doing lapsing, even on Wednesday as I found out this morning. Called my line manager today to inform him that I would not complete and do the absorbtion on time. Told me to do it and I would be paid OT. I said due to the heat I did not want to stay out any longer than I have to, was told if I didn't complete then the rest of the summer I would have to work my full hours ( no going home if finishing early ).
This is the first time I have cut off since last summer, including when working with a buddy over christmas who was allowed to cut-off everyday. have done overtime many times when asked ( coming in to do prep/ covering others SAs etc ). None of that seems to matter, as soon as you say 'No' even when it's a health issue - then face the consequences.

Hope the OP has better managers, but doubt it - Welcome to RM !

I had a lino say the same to me once when I had to get up the school on one occasion and knew I would not complete - however he at least did it by the book and made the statement I wouldn't go home early again in that WEEK (to which I said "fair enough") not the whole summer! That is BS. The half-hour 'flexing' or whatever they call it is supposed to be contained within that week, not carry over from one week to the next, be aware of that! Some of the more knowledgeable people here may be able to elaborate on this matter, but I'm pretty sure any sanctions for cutting off when you've already had an early finish say on the Tuesday are only applicable in that particular week.

[steve1873]

We are currently doing lapsing, even on Wednesday as I found out this morning. Called my line manager today to inform him that I would not complete and do the absorbtion on time. Told me to do it and I would be paid OT. I said due to the heat I did not want to stay out any longer than I have to, was told if I didn't complete then the rest of the summer I would have to work my full hours ( no going home if finishing early ).
This is the first time I have cut off since last summer, including when working with a buddy over christmas who was allowed to cut-off everyday. have done overtime many times when asked ( coming in to do prep/ covering others SAs etc ). None of that seems to matter, as soon as you say 'No' even when it's a health issue - then face the consequences.

Hope the OP has better managers, but doubt it - Welcome to RM !

The entire contents, word for word if you can recall, need lodged in a grievance form immediately. In fact, I would possibly be tempted to skip the grievance procedure altogether and file an HR1 form for bullying and harassment. The behaviour described in your post, whilst not unsurprising, is TOTALLY unacceptable!

[South_London_Postie]

To answer the OPs headline question " couldn't complete round - what happens now"

1-Familiarise yourself with the overrunning procedure TBT linked.

2-When you go into work and anticipate the daily workload will take you over your time.

3- get a witness and go tell the manager under the over-running procedure you will be working your hours how would he like you to prioritise the workload?

4- set an alarm on your phone giving you enough time to get back to the office sort out 739's etc and sing out bang on your finish time not a minute later.

5- go home and enjoy your life outside of Royal Mail.

Any threats from the wan****r Dom about having to do the work tomorrow or anything else of the sort.

6- repeat steps 2-5

[Brandy]

Hey newbie.... another newbie here! I'm 8 weeks in and finding that Weds are a real struggle too. I went over my time last week, and didn't even think to ask if it would be paid overtime.

I don't take my meal break either, and would be expected to take it at the start of my shift, so as I'm part-time I don't start til 8.30 when the others have all been in since 6 and some of them are already going out the door, and I have to bundle up and pack my trolley. So am constantly not getting out until after 9/9.15. It was 9.30 today and I had to do some lapsing on my walking route too. Today, I told my manager that I may not get finished and he just said 'let me know'. So how do you take your break whilst you're out?

With the extreme heat today, I managed to get almost all of my walk done, except for my last road (only one side) as I was feeling real sick and I had gone up to my time. So I took it back and told my manager - could tell he wasn't happy and then he thought I finished at 2.30, when my finish time is at 2, but I cut off at 1.30 as I hadn't taken my break. I don't think he realises I'm part-time. But I've decided that I'm not being taken for granted, especially being part-time and a newbie too.

I feel your frustration!!!! I know I'm speeding up now as I've been on my same walk for last couple of weeks so that helps a lot as I know where I'm going and the numbers now. But still an eye opener as to how managers see things. I'm thinking of having a word with my union rep. Managers need to be more supportive for sure!

I am sorry to say but managers are not supportive at all,all they are worried about is reaching their targets,not the hardworking postie.I know what the job entails I was a postie for 19 years.Good luck

[Seymour Buts]

Hi guys

It's my third week so I am pretty new. I've been out doing my round on my own however my trainer has come to help me if he can after his round.
From about last Friday, I'd been doing it completely on my own but kept going over my time to get it finished & hopefully I'll be paid for it this week.
My normal manager is on leave so we have others in to cover him. I went over my time on Nonday & they said they'd pay over time.
Tuesday was fine as it's a lighter day & I actually managed to finish an hour before my time. Was well chuffed with myself. However today there was loads & I know for sure, there's no way I'd be able to do it all so I mentioned it to the floor manager who suggested for me to leave the first couple of roads behind & that 2 others were coming in to help.
What a relief I thought to myself, however I still managed to go 40 minutes over my time which includes no meal relief too. When I went back to office, all the bundles/packets were still there. Couldn't believe it. I think I'm expected to take them tomorrow but obviously going to have loads & wont be able to get tomorrow's done, let alone some of today & all tomorrow. Apparently they don't want to pay me over time now & im expected to clear it all.
In this heat - Are they having a f***ing laugh !!!!
My feet & ankles are still getting used to all the walking & I obviously ain't as fast as all the others
Help Help!!!!!
Where do I stand & what rights do I have. I don't t want to lose my job or when my probation is up, they send me on my way.
Well hopefully I'll be much quicker by the end of my probation.
Thanks for taking time to read my moaning topic & thanks for the replies xxx

Nothing will happen, basically. I started towards the back end of October a few years ago which as you'll come to discover is when the rush towards Christmas starts. On loads of occasions I simply refused to take all my mail. On a couple of occasions I took stuff back because I had an SA to be back for in the afternoon. Managers tend to pull their faces for a day or two, but it's soon forgotten. You'll be fine

[nuisance]

Just alter your perspective of the job. Don't expect to finish on time on a Wednesday or Thursday, assume on these days you'll work a bit longer and earn a bit more. I think the managers prefer when you just complete and book what you work than cutting off or bringing stuff back. The job doesn't come with a completely regular finishing time, that should have been made clear at the interview, but it is predicable and easy to plan for IMO. (I'm six months into the job having done it once before for a couple of years ages ago. I think its great, but I am happy and able to avoid making any other commitments on Wednesdays and Thursdays.)

[postslippete]

Nobody works for free!! Don't even contemplate working past your time if you are not getting paid for it.

[steve1873]

Just alter your perspective of the job. Don't expect to finish on time on a Wednesday or Thursday, assume on these days you'll work a bit longer and earn a bit more. I think the managers prefer when you just complete and book what you work than cutting off or bringing stuff back. The job doesn't come with a completely regular finishing time, that should have been made clear at the interview, but it is predicable and easy to plan for IMO. (I'm six months into the job having done it once before for a couple of years ages ago. I think its great, but I am happy and able to avoid making any other commitments on Wednesdays and Thursdays.)

The job DOES come with a fixed finishing time and the sooner the majority of our staff get that in to their heads, the better off we will all be.

[Jmdnnlln]

Nice to know I'm not on my own, I'm also 8 weeks in on my 25 hour contract, I've been placed on a round for the last 3 weeks that no full timer seems to want, when I come in @ 8 most of the mail is almost in the fittings, I bag up & load the van, every walk is 2 bags, everyday I've finished around 4 to half past, Tuesday & Saturday around 3, I don't think I'm slow I beat the driver back to the van 2 out 3 times, yeah my feet are also killing me, I've got blisters on blisters, I'm claiming around 3 hours a day overtime with no complains from the managers, I also work without or claiming a break, I have stopped going out with my mates at the weekend I just need rest

I hope your CLAIMING you break time on top of any hours over?

[Newandscared]

You are not doing yourself any favours by working your meal relief. The meal relief is to give you a rest/recovery time and refreshments to break up the walk span and using it will benefit you in the long run. Having already completed 3 weeks you should have an idea the volumes you can manage within your shift and if volumes at first glance look excessive then you utilise the cutting off procedure. As you are still in your probationary period you politely inform your line manger that you will do your best to complete your walk and ask for a contact number that you can phone and will make contact in advance of your finishing time. One hour as a rough guide if you feel you are unable to complete giving line manager the responsibility to make a decision how best to clear the excess. If unwilling there and then to not pay overtime then you return to office with the remainder. If unduly pressure is put on you to complete then inform your union rep to take the matter up with management. Try to ensure you can give priority to delivering specials on their allocated time and other signed for items.

I just started a collection round. Getting back later than I need to be each day due to volume of load collected, needing to drop some off before continuing the round and volume of traffic. The load volume and traffic are pretty much a constant, so the obvious scapegoat is me not doing it fast enough. Constantly getting told that everyone before me managed to get back on time, I seriously have no idea how they could.

[TopperGas]

You are not doing yourself any favours by working your meal relief. The meal relief is to give you a rest/recovery time and refreshments to break up the walk span and using it will benefit you in the long run. Having already completed 3 weeks you should have an idea the volumes you can manage within your shift and if volumes at first glance look excessive then you utilise the cutting off procedure. As you are still in your probationary period you politely inform your line manger that you will do your best to complete your walk and ask for a contact number that you can phone and will make contact in advance of your finishing time. One hour as a rough guide if you feel you are unable to complete giving line manager the responsibility to make a decision how best to clear the excess. If unwilling there and then to not pay overtime then you return to office with the remainder. If unduly pressure is put on you to complete then inform your union rep to take the matter up with management. Try to ensure you can give priority to delivering specials on their allocated time and other signed for items.

I just started a collection round. Getting back later than I need to be each day due to volume of load collected, needing to drop some off before continuing the round and volume of traffic. The load volume and traffic are pretty much a constant, so the obvious scapegoat is me not doing it fast enough. Constantly getting told that everyone before me managed to get back on time, I seriously have no idea how they could.

Were you shown the route by a regular driver before you started, if so, did they manage to get back on time? Are you following the quickest route possible rather than the order shown on the PDA?

Have you got the largest van available or are you being given a Doblo/Partner when Experts or similar are available?

[Newandscared]

I just started a collection round. Getting back later than I need to be each day due to volume of load collected, needing to drop some off before continuing the round and volume of traffic. The load volume and traffic are pretty much a constant, so the obvious scapegoat is me not doing it fast enough. Constantly getting told that everyone before me managed to get back on time, I seriously have no idea how they could.
[/quote]

Were you shown the route by a regular driver before you started, if so, did they manage to get back on time? Are you following the quickest route possible rather than the order shown on the PDA?

Have you got the largest van available or are you being given a Doblo/Partner when Experts or similar are available?
[/quote]

Yes to the route, and I am not doing it the way the PDA says as that is actually too slow. My last pickup is about quarter of a mile from the depot but it can take 20 mins to drive it due to traffic. So even when I make the collection points ahead of time I can still get tripped up by the traffic at the end, there isn't another route back. As to whether other drivers got back on time, I know the answer is no, the last collection point knows the answer is no, the other collection drivers know the answer is no but the line managers are telling me I am the only one that has ever had problems.

[Postie Malone]

Ask a manager to show you how to do the round properly and you will take notes of their route etc. Point out that you won't be able to assist on the round as you need the timings for a single person doing the round. Ideally have this conversation with a union rep present.
In the unlikely event that they take you up on this request then keep a close eye on their speed and remind them of speed limits. Also remind them to only carry one bag at a time and to park properly etc.
In reality they will probably stop hassling you, but if not then you may need to make a formal bullying and harassment claim against them with union input.