How to drop a day

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 18 Dec 2018, 22:34

Hey

I’m still in my probation but the 5 days a week isn’t working so well for me. It might be better in the new year but I have my own business on the side and I’ve been going over most days which has affected the time for my own business. It’s not really so much that but I could do with working 4 days a week instead of 5.

Is this something I can ask for in my probation or do I have to wait?

Also how do you go about changing positions I saw many posties move around in the short time I’ve been there doing indoor, instead of outdoor and other things.

I like the job and am willing to work the hours my contract says but wanted to know the procedure on how to drop a day and if they have to honour it?

I can always speak to my union rep but wanted to hearof other people’s experience

Many thanks in advance!

Bleepbleep · Post by **Bleepbleep** » 19 Dec 2018, 06:45

I dropped a day by asking the DOM. I’m not in the probation period though so I don’t know about that. They seem so desperate for people to stay at the moment though that I think they’d agree to anything lol. It took a long loooong time from him saying yes to it actually happening though as they’re always short staffed.

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 23 Dec 2018, 13:17

Do you know if there are options to change the role slightly? I need longer days but less of them. Due to having my own business on the side, working 5 days a week doesn't leave much time to do my own stuff. Obviously not their issue as I knew the hours etc when I applied. But it isn't until I started to do it that I realised I was too knackered or running over most days, to have time to do my other job. So I end up doing it on a Sunday and my rest day, which leaves no rest time or family time and I'm knackered every day which I know is my own doing. Again, my issue but I was wondering what the flexibility is for role change, less 1 day would be a good start but longer days when I do work. Unlikely but hey!

I don't want to go to my manager whilst in probation and say it isn't working too well and can I have 1 less day a week and have more hours on the days I do work!

I think I would get shown the door!

Just more curious to the flexibility...

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 24 Dec 2018, 14:13

Royal Mail do have a family friendly policy where you can request changing your working time but there are 2 drawbacks.

1. Its meant to be family-friendly rather than making it easier for you to work for someone else.
2. You have to ask the manager,

and 1 legal issue. You should inform RM that you have another job, even if self-employed. The reasons are because there are legal and H&S issues and it's also a contractual requirement to do so.

Madyakker · Post by **Madyakker** » 24 Dec 2018, 15:04

Wakewaterblue wrote:Do you know if there are options to change the role slightly? I need longer days but less of them. Due to having my own business on the side, working 5 days a week doesn't leave much time to do my own stuff. Obviously not their issue as I knew the hours etc when I applied. But it isn't until I started to do it that I realised I was too knackered or running over most days, to have time to do my other job. So I end up doing it on a Sunday and my rest day, which leaves no rest time or family time and I'm knackered every day which I know is my own doing. Again, my issue but I was wondering what the flexibility is for role change, less 1 day would be a good start but longer days when I do work. Unlikely but hey!

I don't want to go to my manager whilst in probation and say it isn't working too well and can I have 1 less day a week and have more hours on the days I do work!

I think I would get shown the door!

Just more curious to the flexibility...

You have answered your own question in part........... Get through your probation and then you will be in a much stronger position to discuss options with your DOM. Also, things should be a bit quieter now so hopefully you should be able to balance things a bit easier.