New starter rota’s/Managing young family

[Lwild4246]

Hello all, I have just received my formal job offer to start in the new year, part time, 5 days a week. I have a 3 year old that is in nursery and have asked for my working rota for January so I can book needed nursery dates (they need 4 weeks notice).
I have been told this is not possible and that even if they told me my Rest Day in advance this is likely to change at short notice as I am required to cover for annual leave and sickness.
Can any Mums on a similar contract advise if their Rest Days are changed regularly and if so how much notice of the change of Rest day do you get? I have no one else available to look after my Son at short notice and not sure if I can take the job after all.
Thanks.

[South_London_Postie]

I am not a mum, however I am a postie. These part time contracts are anything but family friendly. You most likely won’t know your days off until the Saturday before the week begins in most cases and depending on staff cover in your office that could still be subject to change.

Booking Annual leave is usually a nightmare, overtime will usually be pressured on, as you will be naturally slower for the first few months and be unable to finish a walk.

Most other staff with have similar commitments to yourself so don’t count on the managers being sympathetic to your circumstances.

My post may seem harsh and brutal but in most cases this is the reality.

[twoloops]

Quite shocking that Royal Mail are allowed to sell these part-time rolls that do not exist? 25 hours nine thirty to half two yeah right! Come in at 9.30 everyone's gone

[Lwild4246]

Not brutal at all, I appreciate it. In interview I said I could go in earlier as my husband will be able to do the school/nursery run before he starts work but then I will need to finish on time to collect from school/nursery.
In my current role any notification of change ofRest Dat is usually a good 4 to 6 weeks in advance and I wasn’t aware the rota’s in Royal Mail were so ‘fluid’.
I think the job itself would be great and the daily hours will suit the school run. It’s just managing a short notice day and nursery. I don’t think it’s viable unfortunately.

[MissKazzyB]

Hi
I’m also a mum & have to do the school run.
Regarding your day off in the week - I think it all depends on your office/manager.
Mine is really good with days off. I have a rotating day off each week. One week I have Monday off, following week I have Tuesday off then Wednesday & so on
Regarding your finishing time - Not to sure on what to say really apart from they want you to complete & not cut off. I’ll be honest & sometimes find this hard depending on the volume of Mail/packets & also your speed. Don’t worry though as you do get faster as you get used to it. They kind of expect you to go over your hours to complete & they assume that you are ok with this but obviously that’s not always the case. Sometimes I can but most of the time I can’t as I also have no one else to pick up my child.
Feel free to pm me if you want

Good luck