New start probationary period - am I vulnerable?

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 24 Sep 2018, 09:53

I started with RM in August and my contract states a probationary period of 6 months. What exactly does this mean?
Does it leave me vulnerable to easy dismissal at any time? DOM has been at me for my speed but I know I'm going at a good pace and am not excessively over each day (averages at around 30-45mins). My route is complicated and involves a lot of walking before I even start delivering.
Can I just be let go for failing to match the speed of other regular staff? IS that a legitimate sackable criteria?
I worry that I have no rights and everything is weighted in favour of RM.
Can anyone reassure me?!

superdazzy · Post by **superdazzy** » 24 Sep 2018, 10:03

Simple fix
Join the union
Talk to Rep

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 24 Sep 2018, 10:32

I joined the Union in week one.

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 24 Sep 2018, 10:34

Can anyone tell me just how bad I would need to be as a postie for dismissal to be justified?
Is there a benchmark?

Post by **General Mannerheim** » 24 Sep 2018, 10:39

cookiewise wrote:Can anyone tell me just how bad I would need to be as a postie for dismissal to be justified?
Is there a benchmark?

You'd have to be pretty damn shite to get the flick.
But if the management really think you are not up to standard then what are THEY doing to bring you up to speed?

They should be offering you a way to improve(if your that bad) they know that new starts are vulnerable as you haven't as much employment rights and will naturally be trying to secure permant employment so they s**t on you.

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 24 Sep 2018, 10:49

Can you give me an example of "pretty damn shite"?!!
So far, my only issues are my speed and the occasional mistake - misdelivery due to unnoticed missort (sometimes difficult if there are a few letters to the same address only to discover one in the middle for a different street). Manager offering nothing in the way of training or support to address these issues. I know my speed will increase - I'm a lot stronger and faster than I was when I started for example; and some real investment in training (including using the PDA would be appreciated, but I can't see it happening as time in training is time away from delivering).
I still feel vulnerable though as I know the manager has it in for me. Mind you, he is new and VERY unpopular so I may in fact outlast him!!

Post by **General Mannerheim** » 24 Sep 2018, 11:07

When you've misdelivered have you been approached about it from management and how many times are we talking about here?
If you've an over zealous manager and he's making you feel vulnerable and stressing you out, then you need to report this to your rep, but I'm guessing from how you describe the workplace that he's already getting away with it on a regular basis.

Newbie001 · Post by **Newbie001** » 24 Sep 2018, 11:24

Managers always use probationary period as a stick to beat u with
. Quality management really. But have never actually heard (in my area anyway) of a new start not being taken on. Wouldn't let it stress you.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 24 Sep 2018, 12:28

cookiewise wrote:Can you give me an example of "pretty damn shite"?!!
So far, my only issues are my speed and the occasional mistake - misdelivery due to unnoticed missort (sometimes difficult if there are a few letters to the same address only to discover one in the middle for a different street). Manager offering nothing in the way of training or support to address these issues. I know my speed will increase - I'm a lot stronger and faster than I was when I started for example; and some real investment in training (including using the PDA would be appreciated, but I can't see it happening as time in training is time away from delivering).
I still feel vulnerable though as I know the manager has it in for me. Mind you, he is new and VERY unpopular so I may in fact outlast him!!

Your manager is a piece of ......... overcooked christmas cake, hard on the outside, soft in the middle and needs alcohol to make it better.

On a serious note, and despite the manager claiming differently, you are new, you are expected to make mistakes, you are expected to work slower, and you are expected to need more training.

Now in the real world of work, you can't claim unfair dismissal unless it's because of a protected characteristic until you have been employed 2 years https://www.keithwebster.co.uk/unfair-d ... RHEALw_wcB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .

But what Royal Mail won't tell you when they play their power games, is that they need you more than you need them. I have never heard of anyone being sacked at RM except for theft and deceit. No one has ever been sacked for incompetence in my experience and is never likely to. They see your weak point as being afraid of being sacked and they, being the low life they are, play on that fear.

Managers at RM are under pressure and because they lack basic leadership skills at all levels from the boardroom down, they put the pressure on the lowest tier available to them, welcome to the command and control world of work.

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 24 Sep 2018, 16:27

Thank you for your replies. I am feeling a bit vulnerable but I guess that's just another thing RM use to exploit the workers. In terms of misdelivery it was in week 1 when I was out on my own for the first time and mixed up two streets that backed onto each other. 2 houses wrongly delivered to - but both folk went down to the DO and complained so it was treated very seriously. Thing was, I realised after posting the letters that I had the address wrong and chapped the doors to try and retrieve them but there was no one in.
Occasionally I come across a mis-sort - correct number, wrong street. When I notice it and correct the error it worries me that there must be some I don't notice - especially if there are a few letters for the same address and the mis-sort is in the middle.

As to training - I was told at the induction day that I would have a work coach. That, amongst many other promises has failed to materialise. I wonder how RM can continue getting away with this shabby treatment. I suppose it's my own fault for showing up on time each day and taking the crap. I also was given training materials / forms at induction that I was to give to my boss for us to work through. They disappeared as soon as I passed them on. Never saw them again.

My uniform arrived on Saturday and I ordered one of everything so I hope they are less likely to dismiss someone they've issued loads of clothes to!!

Decky Boy · Post by **Decky Boy** » 24 Sep 2018, 16:54

You need to get yourself into a positive state of mind. As you have taken the time to post on here it tells me that a) you are conscientious and b) you care about the job and give a dam... both are attributes of a good (or potentially good) post person

You ask "am I vulnerable ?"... get yourself into a positive frame of mind, come into work on time every day and do the job as best you can and it's likely you'll still be delivering mail 20 years from now !!!

Retention of staff is a major headache for most managers. Many new starts cannot cope with the heavy workloads and leave. If you want to work for Royal Mail long term just keep doing what you are doing and don't be afraid to ask experienced colleagues for help and advice. A good office will likely have a good coach or two who should be helping and supporting you as you develop through your probationary period. Don't worry about being slow, it's natural to be slow at first. Stick in and good luck

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 24 Sep 2018, 17:09

Decky Boy wrote: A good office will likely have a good coach or two who should be helping and supporting you as you develop through your probationary period.

Thanks for your support DeckyBoy - but do these coaches actually exist?! I've never met one and as to training there is absolutely nothing on the horizon.
My DO is a bit of a joke really. So disorganised.

Post by **fb1969** » 24 Sep 2018, 17:17

cookiewise wrote: 2 houses wrongly delivered to - but both folk went down to the DO and complained so it was treated very seriously. Thing was, I realised after posting the letters that I had the address wrong and chapped the doors to try and retrieve them but there was no one in.

If you do that again and no one is in, pop a note of apology through the door. If need be write on a 739 (I use the address section) just a quick "sorry but I have given you the post for xyz" - if someone gets that they are less likely to complain to the office.

In the six years I've been in there has been a couple of dozen new starters and only one of them has actually been sacked for being no good. And in that person's case it was as much their whole attitude to the job than it was their ability to do it.

Newbie001 · Post by **Newbie001** » 24 Sep 2018, 17:38

Just a little note, if you come across a misort, unless it's your walk always bring it back. You have no way of knowing if there is a redirection in place. And that's the one thing you will always get pulled up for. Manager will say you're being pedantic, but happened to me twice re redirection. Now always bring back.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 24 Sep 2018, 17:38

Ask this new manager to order some P6453s. They are self-explanatory

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPGY_O_WsAEmsTr.jpg