Newbie story - looking for advice please

PackageForYou · Post by **PackageForYou** » 14 Feb 2018, 18:34

Hi all!

I joined Royal Mail recently and signed up for CWU straight away. The union rep who came from another area really piqued my interest when he start talking about making sure you take your break, not to work for free

etc. In some businesses I've seen people turn up early, work through lunch, work late, all either because they're just pressured into it or they believe it will give them a leg up for promotions. In this case I don't want to work more than my contracted hours (which are less than 30 hours) and I'm not interested in becoming a manager- I want to deliver the post properly, promptly, and do a good job; that's it. I imagine it's nice to have a set round where you know the locals and everyone's happy, you can do that well and safely, and you're left to it.

That being said I'm still being trained and I was out on a round with a much more experienced colleague who is also a union member. Apparently Wednesday is our busiest day, and there wasn't enough time for a break and in the end we went over by more than an hour. My colleague told me we had a lot on before we left earlier in the morning and mentioned it would be tough to get done in time so I'd have to be sharp etc. He wanted to get done on time because he had a personal matter to attend later. He starts earlier than me too so I can obviously understand, plus he's alright anyway so I don't want to let him down.

He wasn't keen on either of us calling the manager to say we weren't going to be done on time as he reckons they'll just expect us to finish it and that's how they are. He reckoned if I did it they'd just make him do it and he'd miss his personal matters in the afternoon, so I didn't call through to the manager. Anyway, we cracked on, myself doing a bit more "walking and reading" than I'd have liked and even some mild jogging, and got done. I went back and put my finish time as the actual time we finished. Hopefully may payslip reflects these hours of overtime.

I wanted some general advice from the hive mind of people on here, about how I should have handled that and what I should do going forward, especially if my payslip doesn't reflect that extra time?

Any and all advice appreciated!

Time for a tea I think.

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 14 Feb 2018, 18:58

Just cause you signed out at that time it doesn’t mean you’ll be paid for it.
There will be a overtime sheet which must be signed by a manager

visigoth · Post by **visigoth** » 14 Feb 2018, 19:05

Hi back.

EVERY time I've been out with A N OTHER - either showing or being shown the ropes - we've finished early due to sharing "bits" while going round. No disrespect but, the only reason I can think for going an hour over is, your colleague isn't lifting a finger - except that would've just jeopardised his personal requirement?

Most confusing. :(

PackageForYou · Post by **PackageForYou** » 14 Feb 2018, 19:21

Ah - I wasn't aware there is a separate overtime sheet, the sheet we sign in and out from has scheduled times and actual times so I assumed (I know, I know!) that pay was done to the real times. Thank you Creditshampoo. Now I'm wondering whether it's worth bringing up now and causing a fuss (still not had my 6 month sign off yet obvs) or what.

Knowing everything you know now, how would you have handled today if you were in my situation?

fed_up_postie · Post by **fed_up_postie** » 14 Feb 2018, 19:50

PackageForYou wrote:Ah - I wasn't aware there is a separate overtime sheet, the sheet we sign in and out from has scheduled times and actual times so I assumed (I know, I know!) that pay was done to the real times. Thank you Creditshampoo. Now I'm wondering whether it's worth bringing up now and causing a fuss (still not had my 6 month sign off yet obvs) or what.

Knowing everything you know now, how would you have handled today if you were in my situation?

Your collegue should know how long the walks should take so he should be able to say roughly what time you would be finishing and therefore if he thinks your not going to complete in time the line manager must be made aware you will not finish in time. It is then down to the manager to decide what action is to be taken. What I will say it DO NOT let them bully you into working over your time. It is NOT a sackable offence if you don't complete just as long as you have told your line manager. Regarding the extra hours you have worked you will have to see your manager in the morning and tell him you went over by xx amount of hours and would like to sign the extended delivery overtime sheet. Make sure you book an extra 40 mins for your break if you did not take it.

gerrys · Post by **gerrys** » 14 Feb 2018, 19:51

when you work over you must claim your hours/time worked on an overtime[sometimes called 'Docket'] sheet,make sure you fill in extra hours worked & invest in a small pocket dairy and note daily any hours worked.At least then you have a comeback if you are not paid.It is hard when you 1st start but don't be taken advantage off know your rights & follow correct procedures regarding 'cutting off' if you don't want the overtime ;hang in there it does get easier...... honest!

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 14 Feb 2018, 20:35

visigoth wrote:Hi back.

EVERY time I've been out with A N OTHER - either showing or being shown the ropes - we've finished early due to sharing "bits" while going round. No disrespect but, the only reason I can think for going an hour over is, your colleague isn't lifting a finger - except that would've just jeopardised his personal requirement?

Most confusing. :(

You can’t say they went over an hour because the partner is lazy. Some duties are f***ing huge, just because you haven’t experienced it doesn’t mean it’s not true

joewyan · Post by **joewyan** » 14 Feb 2018, 20:56

PackageForYou wrote:Hi all!

I joined Royal Mail recently and signed up for CWU straight away. The union rep who came from another area really piqued my interest when he start talking about making sure you take your break, not to work for free etc. In some businesses I've seen people turn up early, work through lunch, work late, all either because they're just pressured into it or they believe it will give them a leg up for promotions. In this case I don't want to work more than my contracted hours (which are less than 30 hours) and I'm not interested in becoming a manager- I want to deliver the post properly, promptly, and do a good job; that's it. I imagine it's nice to have a set round where you know the locals and everyone's happy, you can do that well and safely, and you're left to it.

That being said I'm still being trained and I was out on a round with a much more experienced colleague who is also a union member. Apparently Wednesday is our busiest day, and there wasn't enough time for a break and in the end we went over by more than an hour. My colleague told me we had a lot on before we left earlier in the morning and mentioned it would be tough to get done in time so I'd have to be sharp etc. He wanted to get done on time because he had a personal matter to attend later. He starts earlier than me too so I can obviously understand, plus he's alright anyway so I don't want to let him down.

He wasn't keen on either of us calling the manager to say we weren't going to be done on time as he reckons they'll just expect us to finish it and that's how they are. He reckoned if I did it they'd just make him do it and he'd miss his personal matters in the afternoon, so I didn't call through to the manager. Anyway, we cracked on, myself doing a bit more "walking and reading" than I'd have liked and even some mild jogging, and got done. I went back and put my finish time as the actual time we finished. Hopefully may payslip reflects these hours of overtime.

I wanted some general advice from the hive mind of people on here, about how I should have handled that and what I should do going forward, especially if my payslip doesn't reflect that extra time?

Any and all advice appreciated!

Time for a tea I think.

You can work your required hours and take your breaks regardless of whether you are in the union or not. Just make sure you tell your manager tomorrow that you went over your time and need to claim the overtime. Tell them the amount you went over and ensure it’s entered on the sheet. If you don’t want to go over in the future then just make sure you follow procedure and tell the manager before going out and before bringing stuff back.

visigoth · Post by **visigoth** » 14 Feb 2018, 21:00

Creditshampoo wrote:You can’t say they went over an hour because the partner is lazy ...

I didn't. I just find going from "it'll be tough to finish on time" to being hours over with no break despite sharing the load and some "jogging" ... confusing. :)

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 14 Feb 2018, 21:21

visigoth wrote:Hi back.

EVERY time I've been out with A N OTHER - either showing or being shown the ropes - we've finished early due to sharing "bits" while going round. (

That's because there are two of you doing one walk. You and the person training you. The OP is out with their van share colleague, doing a full dual duty, not being trained.

EDIT: OK it does say he is still being trained, but I'm pretty sure there were only two of them doing their proper full duty. Partner would have their hands full if it was a busy day, no time to 'share bits'.

Post by **rambo1** » 14 Feb 2018, 21:35

visigoth wrote:Hi back.

EVERY time I've been out with A N OTHER - either showing or being shown the ropes - we've finished early due to sharing "bits" while going round. No disrespect but, the only reason I can think for going an hour over is, your colleague isn't lifting a finger - except that would've just jeopardised his personal requirement?

Most confusing. :(

Look, if you're training someone up, new to the job ,it takes longer, if you're doing it right. Yes, after 2,3,4 days (if new starter is lucky enough to get that much training), then you will be faster as the newby can do more on their own. Also different people learn at different speeds. Better to get it right first, speed will come with practice and experience. Some get it on the first day, others take longer but still turn out ok, some never get it and don't last. To the original poster, when you go out on your own for a start you WILL BE OVER the schedule time by as much as a couple of hrs. You do however have a right to work just your hrs but sad to say ,your contract will probably not be made permanent if other new starters are more,shall we say, willing. It's totally not fair. GL and stick with it if you like it, give it a chance. If you can do it this weather, you'll be fine.

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 14 Feb 2018, 21:45

Hi,

To answer your question, next time, tell anyone you work with you don’t go over and will be returning to the office for your scheduled finish time. Don’t let anyone guilt you into working over. You may not be the most popular postie doing this but that’s how it goes in this mad house.

There is a overrunning procedure on the downloads page of this forum, follow that to a tee and you will never have to work a second of overtime ever again whilst remaining protected.

Don’t worry about the 6 month probation scare tactic too much, providing you follow the rules you will be fine. There is no performance standards, you can only deliver as much as you can in the time you are given.

Be lucky
S.L.P

visigoth · Post by **visigoth** » 14 Feb 2018, 21:51

People seem to be missing my point. That it went from a predicted "it'll be tight" to way, WAY over.

I confess I don't understand "a bit more "walking and reading" than I'd have liked" one iota. :)

Post by **Lincox** » 14 Feb 2018, 22:23

What he means is that he has been taught to read the address on his next piece of mail when he is at a standstill which is the correct way to do it under Royal Mails health and safety rules. Because his parner has asked him to get a lick on, he is obviously disregarding the health and safety and reading the mail as he is walking/jogging in order to plaquate his mates needs.

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 14 Feb 2018, 23:46

visigoth wrote:People seem to be missing my point. That it went from a predicted "it'll be tight" to way, WAY over.

I confess I don't understand "a bit more "walking and reading" than I'd have liked" one iota. :)

His partner underestimated how much they would be going over. It’s hard enough to estimate overtime when on a singleton duty nevermind working with someone else