Made up to full time but....

[Elkotraz]

I have recently got a full time duty which was advertised as 38 hr contract.however they are only putting me up to 35 hrs plus 3 hrs OT every week.they say its because in 2 yrs full time will be 35 hrs.seems a bit odd to me.am i being conned.didnt think it was a definate that it was going to 35hrs.is OT pensionable??spoke to union rep and he didnt seem interested.

[Jpro747]

Yes you’re being conned. Tell them you’ll only be working the 35hrs which you are contracted for, and don’t help them out by doing the extra 3 hrs a week on OT.

[FirstPost]

you'll be getting taxed a lot on them 3hrs overtime and certainly taking home less than someone on a full time 38hr contract..

[rogersh]

LTB No. 589/18

16th October 2018

Dear Colleagues,
Four Pillars Agreement: OPG 35 Hour Full-Time Duty Deployment

Colleagues will be aware that running alongside the 1 hour reduction in the working week from October 2018, the deployment/introduction of the OPG 35 full-time conditioned hours also commenced. The 35 hour arrangement is to support the flight path towards delivering a 35 hour gross working week (or the equivalent benefit) for all CWU grades in line with the terms of the Four Pillars Agreement.
Suffice to say we were mindful that the introduction of the new 35 hour week arrangement would not be without its challenges, both from a functional and operational perspective, hence why the Union has been pressing the business to agree and conclude a set of directives and/or guidelines to support its introduction.
Unfortunately, for reasons not attributed to the CWU, no such dialogue has taken place. It is therefore extremely disappointing to learn that various un-agreed guidelines and instructions are being circulated throughout the country. This has not only caused confusion to both managers and local representatives but in some instances is in direct conflict with the terms of the current National Agreement(s) the Union has with the employer that cover resourcing.
This situation is totally unacceptable to the CWU and is clearly outside of the Guiding Principles Agreement along with the agreed mutual interest approach to future challenges and opportunities that the Union and Royal Mail have signed up to. I can confirm that the Union is taking steps to rectify this situation at the highest level and restore a coherent and pragmatic approach to the introduction of the 35 hour full-time duties.

However, until we have concluded our discussions the following principals should be applied;
 All core full-time OPG duties should continue to be based on a 38 hour conditioned working week where operational hourage permits.
 In line with the terms of the Agreement, 35 hour contract holders (who can and are able to be aligned to cover a 38 hour duty) should be remunerated at single-rate overtime/scheduled attendance up to 38 hours, after which any additional hours will be paid at the appropriate overtime/scheduled attendance rate.
 If an individual who holds a 35 hour contract covers or commits to performing a 38 hour week core duty long-term, then either a variation in the contract should be agreed that covers the additional 3 hours, or alternatively the hours should be treated as scheduled attendance.
Colleagues are reminded that all matters relating to resourcing are proper to the IR Framework which includes the introduction and operation of the OPG 35 hour week duties.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department quoting reference 24000.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger Deputy General Secretary (Postal)
Ray Ellis Assistant Secretary
Andy Furey Assistant Secretary
Davie Robertson Assistant Secretary
Mark Baulch Assistant Secretary

[neilgg]

I'm not sure why more tax will be paid on 3hrs OT than 38 hours full time and take home pay will be less?
If in DC pension then it will be the same as if 38 hrs full time.
Sick pay and annual leave will only be based on 35 hrs though not 38

[wacko74]

you'll be getting taxed a lot on them 3hrs overtime and certainly taking home less than someone on a full time 38hr contract..

How come?

(Genuine question, I often feel overtime isn't worth it as my tax seems to shoot up disproportionately for the extra hours I've worked)

[FirstPost]

you'll be getting taxed a lot on them 3hrs overtime and certainly taking home less than someone on a full time 38hr contract..

How come?

(Genuine question, I often feel overtime isn't worth it as my tax seems to shoot up disproportionately for the extra hours I've worked)

I'm basing it on the same reason as you have above, my OT seems like I get taxed to the maximum!

[RobertT]

In simple terms, the first £12,500 per year / £240 per week you earn is tax free, everything after that is taxed at 20%, up to £50,000. From £50,001 upwards it's 40%.

So in practice, for most posties any earnings over £240 per week is taxed the same.

Rates for NIC's are:

Upto £166 per week = 0%
From £166 - £962 = 12%
Over £962 = 2%

[wacko74]

In simple terms, the first £12,500 per year / £240 per week you earn is tax free, everything after that is taxed at 20%, up to £50,000. From £50,001 upwards it's 40%.

So in practice, for most posties any earnings over £240 per week is taxed the same.

I'm still struggling to understand it and it still doesn't seem to tally with my figures.

Without looking at exact figures on a flat 30 hour week I pay around £26 tax but if I do around 8 hours overtime my tax jumps up to about £40?

[wallop]

In simple terms, the first £12,500 per year / £240 per week you earn is tax free, everything after that is taxed at 20%, up to £50,000. From £50,001 upwards it's 40%.

So in practice, for most posties any earnings over £240 per week is taxed the same.

I'm still struggling to understand it and it still doesn't seem to tally with my figures.

Without looking at exact figures on a flat 30 hour week I pay around £26 tax but if I do around 8 hours overtime my tax jumps up to about £40?

Because of the tax free bit, the £12,500 is divided by 52 weeks. Therefore you only pay the 20% tax on everything you earn after the first £240 each week.So any OT will be in the taxable bit of your weekly wage.

[paul1231]

Wouldn't moan too much I've been on a full time duty for over 3 years and it was only last year I've been made from 25 to 30 despite several promises to be made up. Must of heard 20times in last 6months that my 35hour contract is on its way

[Route1]

Dont know the ins & outs of it but it might be anybody being made upto fulltime will get a 35hr contract instead of 38hr.

[Ren Hoëk]

In the new agreement all new full timers are 35 hours. If you want the money take the OT. If not tell them you will only be working those 35 hours.

[wacko74]

In simple terms, the first £12,500 per year / £240 per week you earn is tax free, everything after that is taxed at 20%, up to £50,000. From £50,001 upwards it's 40%.

So in practice, for most posties any earnings over £240 per week is taxed the same.

I'm still struggling to understand it and it still doesn't seem to tally with my figures.

Without looking at exact figures on a flat 30 hour week I pay around £26 tax but if I do around 8 hours overtime my tax jumps up to about £40?

Because of the tax free bit, the £12,500 is divided by 52 weeks. Therefore you only pay the 20% tax on everything you earn after the first £240 each week.So any OT will be in the taxable bit of your weekly wage.

Thanks, I think I've sort of got my head around it now having put a few figures into online income tax calculators, I do appear to be paying the right amount... it just feels like I'm being ripped off when I end up paying 50% more tax for only working around 25% more hours!

[crimson king]

I have recently got a full time duty which was advertised as 38 hr contract.however they are only putting me up to 35 hrs plus 3 hrs OT every week.they say its because in 2 yrs full time will be 35 hrs.seems a bit odd to me.am i being conned.didnt think it was a definate that it was going to 35hrs.is OT pensionable??spoke to union rep and he didnt seem interested.

Same happened to me a few months ago. Duty was advertised as 38 hours, got it and was then told it's only 35 hrs cos everyone will be on that due to shorter working week reductions or some bollocks. No mention of three hours OT or anything though.

Seemed a bit odd to me- why advertise it as 38 in the first place? Been meaning to ask the rep about it, but lots going on in my life at the moment, so t's on the back burner for now. But I don't think you're being conned...well, any more than RM normally do anyway