Industrial Action whilst in Trial Period

rich7673 · Post by **rich7673** » 15 Sep 2017, 17:15

If you are in your 6 month trial period and industrial action is voted for and taken, are you likely to fall foul of your contract by participation, which states
"From the commencement of your employment with Royal Mail you will be subject to trial for a period of 6 months . It isn't a condition of your contract of employment that during this period you demonstrate your suitability for employment in Royal Mail.............
For the avoidance of doubt , if at any stage during your trial period Royal Mail considers that you have failed to meet the standard which Royal Mail expects from its employees , it may dismiss you with one weeks notice..... "

Is the standard that Royal Mail expects that you don't take industrial action included in this , as from the communications received by post over IA, they obviously don't think the standard is to be taking action. The contract wording is rather vague, but by the same token , those in their trial period it would appear through the vagueness,could be putting their job in jeopardy. Any advice gratefully received !

twoloops · Post by **twoloops** » 15 Sep 2017, 17:40

I did not know we where on trial? Can anyone confirm? The money spent on checks & driving & expensive uniform

I can't see them getting rid of you, I'm the best postman already in my office after only 5 month, you would have to be pretty thick not to get a grip of this job, It's not rocket science.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 15 Sep 2017, 17:47

It's a legal ballot. Even if you aren't in the Union you are protected by law they cannot treat you any differently than any other striker.

rich7673 · Post by **rich7673** » 15 Sep 2017, 18:49

mattycash wrote:I did not know we where on trial? Can anyone confirm? The money spent on checks & driving & expensive uniform I can't see them getting rid of you, I'm the best postman already in my office after only 5 month, you would have to be pretty thick not to get a grip of this job, It's not rocket science.

I'd read your contract !! Love your modesty too

Post by **Judgee** » 15 Sep 2017, 20:20

mattycash wrote:I did not know we where on trial? Can anyone confirm? The money spent on checks & driving & expensive uniform I can't see them getting rid of you, I'm the best postman already in my office after only 5 month, you would have to be pretty thick not to get a grip of this job, It's not rocket science.

Must be a one man outfit then!

ted_e_bear · Post by **ted_e_bear** » 15 Sep 2017, 20:54

mattycash wrote:I did not know we where on trial? Can anyone confirm? The money spent on checks & driving & expensive uniform I can't see them getting rid of you, I'm the best postman already in my office after only 5 month, you would have to be pretty thick not to get a grip of this job, It's not rocket science.

Just wondering what makes you the best postman in your office after just 5 months, can you please enlighten us as to the secret of your success ?

datasaint · Post by **datasaint** » 15 Sep 2017, 23:51

ted_e_bear wrote: Just wondering what makes you the best postman in your office after just 5 months, can you please enlighten us as to the secret of your success ?

Taking notes during the daily huddle. A strict no talking to or looking at customers policy. A post-duty sports-massage. And a fervent ambition to be as well paid as Moya one day.

Post by **greengiant** » 16 Sep 2017, 06:14

norm wrote:
ted_e_bear wrote: Just wondering what makes you the best postman in your office after just 5 months, can you please enlighten us as to the secret of your success ?
Taking notes during the daily huddle. A strict no talking to or looking at customers policy. A post-duty sports-massage. And a fervent ambition to be as well paid as Moya one day.

No talking to customers? So how do you ask them to sign for an item? Via the medium of interpretive dance?

A good post Person communicates effectively and politely with the recipients. What if you need to enquire with them if a badly addressed item is for them or not?

Or if you need to explain that an item came damaged into the delivery office, so that is why it's in a damage bag?

Post by **Judgee** » 16 Sep 2017, 08:11

greengiant wrote:
norm wrote:
ted_e_bear wrote: Just wondering what makes you the best postman in your office after just 5 months, can you please enlighten us as to the secret of your success ?
Taking notes during the daily huddle. A strict no talking to or looking at customers policy. A post-duty sports-massage. And a fervent ambition to be as well paid as Moya one day.

No talking to customers? So how do you ask them to sign for an item? Via the medium of interpretive dance?

A good post Person communicates effectively and politely with the recipients. What if you need to enquire with them if a badly addressed item is for them or not?

Or if you need to explain that an item came damaged into the delivery office, so that is why it's in a damage bag?

steve1873 · Post by **steve1873** » 16 Sep 2017, 14:56

Any unit who has staff on probationary contracts has to be prepared to walk out at even the merest threat of that member being dismissed as a result of taking industrial action! These people are the most vulnerable in the months to come and we need to all be prepared to stand up for them!

twoloops · Post by **twoloops** » 17 Sep 2017, 11:53

ted_e_bear wrote:
mattycash wrote: Just wondering what makes you the best postman in your office after just 5 months, can you please enlighten us as to the secret of your success ?

Well to put it nicely the selection criteria & attitudes from years ago now shows in the long term posties, how many of the old boys could pass that on line test? Most of them still think a PC is your local bobbie

deltaforce · Post by **deltaforce** » 17 Sep 2017, 15:21

mattycash wrote:
ted_e_bear wrote:
mattycash wrote: Just wondering what makes you the best postman in your office after just 5 months, can you please enlighten us as to the secret of your success ?
Well to put it nicely the selection criteria & attitudes from years ago now shows in the long term posties, how many of the old boys could pass that on line test? Most of them still think a PC is your local bobbie

We had a pictorial observational test, that is rows of pictures in pairs ,with one slightly differant from the other. You had to spot the difference.
The other test you had to past was the inward and outward sorting speed test over a 20 min time period with tiny error rate. You had to be prepared to work earlies lates and nightshift and also in the sub offices around the district for many years until you got your own duty. You had to be flexible even then.

Interested-seeker · Post by **Interested-seeker** » 18 Sep 2017, 22:37

I'm on my probationary period too. I won't be getting involved in the vote, sadly.

Cedar_Room · Post by **Cedar_Room** » 21 Sep 2017, 21:00

Interested-seeker wrote:I'm on my probationary period too. I won't be getting involved in the vote, sadly.

"Not involved"

Soooo,you're not in the union I presume?