Reading the Paperwork: 318's, H+S and contracts

Jeff Vader · Post by **Jeff Vader** » 20 Jun 2018, 19:41

Hello Folks,

Just an issue I raised last night, and somehow got pulled aside for by a couple of managers.

Two new colleagues approached me and enquired what a 318 was, so myself and another found them in the file on the shop floor and a manager happily copied them for both.

Another work colleague was passing and knew he'd had issue with a complaint against him for not fulfilling his duty, so I mentioned looking over his 318 to help him show that what he was doing was completely compliant. He seemed a bit irritated and pretty much said he just does what a manager tells him. To which I replied that he needed to be familiar with both his contracted duties and 318, in case of an event where he'd be pulled up on it (such as an accident etc).

Later his mate came over and said that they'd signed their contracts but didn't bother reading them, and didn't really know or care what a 318 was. I asked him if he reads his health and safety stuff either (which we sign as well) and he said "no mate". I replied that if that were the case and something bad happened, the Union may not be able to help him because he'd signed off on these things without checking them first.

The upshot was that he decided to go and tell two managers that I was bothering him. Luckily when I explained what it was about they both agreed to put a reminder in this weeks brief to ensure people were reading and understanding everything in their contracts, 318's etc.

I'm looking at filling the Union Rep role here (as we don't have one in our work area right now), and I'm finding this sort of thing quite common. We already had a guy fired previously for a similar Health and Safety issue.

Did I do the right thing? Or am I just making a storm in a tea cup, and bothering folks unnecessarily?

Thanks in advance!

redneck · Post by **redneck** » 20 Jun 2018, 19:59

Become the rep, now! You are ideal.

Sir Henry · Post by **Sir Henry** » 20 Jun 2018, 20:05

Learn who the pr**s are and leave them to it. its s**t being a rep and some folk would sell you down the river soon as look at you. Most folk only want you to step in and act for them when they come into conflict with the screws, being proactive just elicits sighs and the rolling of eyes.

Jeff Vader · Post by **Jeff Vader** » 20 Jun 2018, 20:07

Thanks Redneck! I'm trying :)

Yeah, I've already had the eye rolling from the few. But I'm determined to stick with it.

Luckily some (actually the majority) have been really supportive.

LaggyBand · Post by **LaggyBand** » 20 Jun 2018, 20:15

Sounds to me like you would make a great rep.

Don’t know who it was, but someone on here said it best..

Being the office rep is like trying to herd cats.

robbertwhitton · Post by **robbertwhitton** » 26 Jun 2018, 19:28

Yes it does seem to be a bit of a poison chalice ,but a must in this currant climate,management should be working with you and not spoiling for a fight every time on any issues,if I were starting again vi would go for it,but now in the later days of my time with Royal Mail,I simply don’t have the time or energy,and of course you have to have the backing of guys in your unit which as we know isn’t easy

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 27 Jun 2018, 15:02

Perhaps proving a point here but: what the heck is a 318?

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 27 Jun 2018, 15:28

https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 56&t=68169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Glossary

318 Old name for a walk log. It details breaks, start and finish time and other information specific to that duty

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 27 Jun 2018, 18:53

Ah, a walk log! Newbie (relatively)