Is it possible to reduce contract to zero hours?

christiani · Post by **christiani** » 18 Feb 2018, 08:52

Hey everyone,

I'm currently a postman. I'm starting teacher training at the end of June, but will have a break in August until the teaching starts in September.

Before I ask my manager, does anyone know if it's possible to reduce my 24-hour contract to a zero hours one? I won't be able to work in June/July, as the training period is full-time, but will be able to in August, then maybe the odd Saturday when I start the teacher training for real from September onward.

Any advice would be much-appreciated!

terry2972 · Post by **terry2972** » 18 Feb 2018, 09:07

A postie at our office went off for a years training and they let him have a Saturday only contract best advice is to ask and see what they could offer you

Post by **97gaz** » 18 Feb 2018, 09:28

christiani · Post by **christiani** » 18 Feb 2018, 09:35

Aah ok. That's what I was hoping. The only unfortunate thing is that I won't be able to work at all during the June-July period due to the insensible nature of the training period, and it being away from home. Do you know of anyone who has changed to a completely zero hours contract?

estelle · Post by **estelle** » 18 Feb 2018, 09:57

Zero hour contracts do not exist in Royal Mail.

It is possible you could work extra days, bank the hours instead of being paid and then use up banked hours to take holidays to cover the time you won't be able to be in on a Saturday only contract. That would all depend on have a manager who was willing to be flexible, and be dependent on it being agreed you could bank hours (I don't know if it is supposed to be allowed, but I do know it does occasionally happen)

christiani · Post by **christiani** » 18 Feb 2018, 10:02

Fair play. In that case, I'll simply leave then. Thanks for all your advice!

joewyan · Post by **joewyan** » 18 Feb 2018, 12:28

christiani wrote:Fair play. In that case, I'll simply leave then. Thanks for all your advice!

Why don’t you ask the DOM in your office as then you’ll know if they will do it rather than just saying that you’ll leave.

christiani · Post by **christiani** » 18 Feb 2018, 12:31

I will ask him, but will leave if they can't offer the zero hours contract.

tone123 · Post by **tone123** » 18 Feb 2018, 12:49

As an ex-teacher I can say that the shite you'll have to deal with in education will make RM's management & customers look like benevolent philanthropists.

Just remember that the vast majority of kids (by far) are fundamentally decent if often misguided. Sometimes that even applies to their parents.
Best wishes in your new career.

christiani · Post by **christiani** » 18 Feb 2018, 12:57

Thanks mate! :)

Stella102 · Post by **Stella102** » 18 Feb 2018, 19:49

not allowed and union would not agree on it.

christiani · Post by **christiani** » 18 Feb 2018, 19:52

It's a shame. Although they can be abused by the wrong employer, zero hours contracts were great when I was working in the NHS. Shifts with Royal Mail will always need covering at some point, so I don't see the issue really.

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 19 Feb 2018, 14:15

The whole basis of a zero hour contract is the issue. They are used in the employers favour 99% of the time to have disposable staff and strip them of their rights.

Interested-seeker · Post by **Interested-seeker** » 20 Feb 2018, 11:59

South_London_Postie wrote:The whole basis of a zero hour contract is the issue. They are used in the employers favour 99% of the time to have disposable staff and strip them of their rights.