Being sent to work in other depots

Postmanpat6312 · Post by **Postmanpat6312** » 05 Jan 2018, 10:14

Hello

I am being sent to work on other depots on almost a weekly basis, some as far as 30 mile round trip to my home depot.

Is this normal behaviour? I am being told I have to use my own car, as no vans available. I am concerned about wear and tear on my car and petrol costs if I am being made to do this on a regular basis.

crimson king · Post by **crimson king** » 05 Jan 2018, 10:42

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable and experienced in these parts will be along shortly to advise you on the rights and wrongs on this matter, but here's a thought...what would they do if you didn't have a car? Say you cycled to work? Or walked? Or got a lift? I don't remember there being anything in the job description about having to be a car owner.

I'd be inclined to park a little way away from the DO, tell them you caught a bus or whatever and ask them how they'd like to proceed.

hans solo · Post by **hans solo** » 05 Jan 2018, 11:18

you report to your own delivery office and they supply transport
and you also finish at your delivery office time

beerhamilton · Post by **beerhamilton** » 05 Jan 2018, 12:09

hans solo wrote:you report to your own delivery office and they supply transport
and you also finish at your delivery office time

Your duty starts and ends at you delivery office unless you agree otherwise, they supply transport unless you agree otherwise. If people in your office are working weeks off or days off they should be the first option of being loaned out. Any hours worked over should be paid unless otherwise agreed before you go over.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 05 Jan 2018, 13:19

hans solo wrote:you report to your own delivery office and they supply transport
and you also finish at your delivery office time

and at their own delivery office.

Postmanpat6312 wrote:Hello

I am being sent to work on other depots on almost a weekly basis, some as far as 30 mile round trip to my home depot.

Is this normal behaviour? I am being told I have to use my own car, as no vans available. I am concerned about wear and tear on my car and petrol costs if I am being made to do this on a regular basis.

You should also get mileage

CWU AND ROYAL MAIL PAY AND MODERNISATION AGREEMENT - APRIL 2007/2009

Working in nearby offices – Areas will identify and agree with the CWU locally a approach (which could include the use of volunteers and reserves) to working in nearby offices within employees’ contracted hours which will include travel times and appropriate travel and subsistence arrangements.

Also unless you have the correct Business use insurance you may not be insured to drive to another office and therefore shouldn't be. Private, Domestic, Commuting and pleasure do not cover going to another place of business other than your usual place of work.

http://www.confused.com/car-insurance/a ... ses-of-use" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Provides cover as above for social, domestic and pleasure, and also cover to drive back and forth to a permanent place of work. Travelling to a railway station en route, where the car is parked, is classed as commuting. In addition, dropping someone else off at their place of work may also be classed as commuting – so it is worth checking the policy beforehand to double-check.

…And if the vehicle is being used in connection with work beyond simply commuting, then the insured will require a level of business cover:

You also will not be able to carry any mail in the car, even if you have courier insurance because Royal Mail have removed their Bond and Private Cars should not longer be used on delivery.

Postmanpat6312 · Post by **Postmanpat6312** » 05 Jan 2018, 13:40

Thanks for your response

Post by **osgoody1970** » 05 Jan 2018, 14:45

that's why you are being sent to different offices on a weekly basis, you use your own car, which saves them transporting you and using their vans, it is set in stone and there can be no arguing, that you start at your own office at your start time, it is up to them to arrange transport for you, then you finish at your own office at your finish time, not the office you have been lent too!!! because you are seen, unfortunately as rather a soft touch, ie using your own car, poor and lazy managers will take the easy option and use you, rather than someone else!! do not forget, you car insurance only insures your travel to your own place of work, not to different offices, hope this helps!!!

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 05 Jan 2018, 16:54

I’d grievance instantly and demand 45p a mile backdated. Do it. There’s no excuse for this the business can afford it they’ve had decepted you

Postmanpat6312 · Post by **Postmanpat6312** » 05 Jan 2018, 17:02

I’m curious whether there is any definition of what is meant by ‘Working in nearby offices’. I wouldn’t really say 15miles away is nearby, and it’s in a different county.

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 06 Jan 2018, 17:42

I am the last person in my office to get asked to cover.

The dom knows he will personally have to drive me to the covering office and back to my own depot for my finish time or I won’t do it.

I cannot remember the last time I was asked to cover.

Don’t let them pressure you.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 06 Jan 2018, 18:09

Postmanpat6312 wrote:I’m curious whether there is any definition of what is meant by ‘Working in nearby offices’. I wouldn’t really say 15miles away is nearby, and it’s in a different county.

Does it matter what if the worst happens and your car breakdown in the middle of nowhere if you know where you are will he the manager help you doubt it got bit by a dog once I am not getting his blood in my car response! send you here there and anywhere but no responsibility for those in charge what kind of leadership is this?

hendrixstrat · Post by **hendrixstrat** » 18 Jun 2018, 15:22

Being sent to a different DO for the week, which will total 170 miles. My usual mileage to my normal DO would be half this. Obviously my DO doesn't have enough vans to go around, so I'm having to use my own car for this.

Personally I don't feel this is acceptable.

What is the best way to go about disputing this?

Only been in the job since January on Part Time hours, and will lose any overtime I normally get at my own DO, and will end up using half a tank of fuel for one weeks work, when it would normally last me two weeks. From my point of view I'm going be losing a fair bit of money. Which when you are on part time hours makes life even harder..................

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 18 Jun 2018, 15:55

They have to provide transport for you to get there. Be that your car (then you get mileage), public transport or a van.

If you only have Social and commuting cover in your insurance you are NOT covered for driving to another place of work. Only your normal place of work is allowed.

You should start and finish at your normal times, and back in your normal office.

https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 36&t=12462" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That should be enough

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 19 Jun 2018, 20:10

If they want to move you and you don't want to go then make it as difficult as possible for them. Say you are not using your car,if you have one, and say they will have to drive you there and arrange for someone to bring you back. Given the distance the OP mentioned I suspect RM might change their mind then and stop sending you there. I personally think it's a ******* stupid idea to send staff regularly to other offices and is symptomatic of RM running the operation on a skeleton staff model.