Finish time

GDJtam · Post by **GDJtam** » 17 Jun 2019, 15:00

We now have absorptions added to our walks every day, this often takes some walks over their time. We have no backing from the union despite Managers questioning and monitoring us repeatedly every day if we refuse to take the absorption. If we return say 20 minutes before our time, we are told to go back out and deliver any leftover absorption. If all the absorption has gone and we get back early, we have a manager stand by the exit to stop us leaving.

We can take 30/40 minutes break dependant upon our contractual hours. Some take 10 minutes and some don't take a break, either way when we get back from our walk our finish time is 14.05hrs, if we didn't take our full break time we can book out at 13.45 hrs. Consequently, if we finish at say 14.00hrs then we can book 15 minutes extended overtime.

Today. all the absorption was taken out and posties started returning to work around 13.30. despite booking out to finish our time. We were kept back, the manager stood by the exit door and all posties gathered round waiting for 13.45hrs (14.05 actual finish time less 20 minute break we did not take). At 13.45 the manager refused to let us go saying we had to stay until 14.05hrs. When we questioned this saying we never took our full break, we were advised by Management that we have to stay until 14.05 and we should all now take our 20 minute break. Even though we had all signed ourselves back in and duty finished.

Is it right that, if we haven't taken our full break entitlement by 20 minutes and we work past 13.45, we get paid extended but if we finish at say 13.45 we have to stay until 14.05 hrs?

pinstripe · Post by **pinstripe** » 17 Jun 2019, 15:22

You do not have to take your break on work premises. Tell your DOM you’re talking your break in your car, or outside your work premises, tell him you’re talking your break walking up and down the street, tell him you’re taking your break where you want. I’m sure someone on here will point you to the relevant documentation to print out and hand to your DOM next time.

leolion855 · Post by **leolion855** » 17 Jun 2019, 15:25

Simple solution here, don't go back to your office until your due finish time. Problem solved.

number one · Post by **number one** » 17 Jun 2019, 15:37

I love managers like this, you can play their silly games as well. What is you due out time? Are you getting out before this? Is this why you are finishing early? If you are then either slow down or make yourself busy until your official commence delivery time. If you don’t think you will be done on time once you are about to leave then tell them you are only working to your time like they want you to.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 17 Jun 2019, 17:16

Make sure you take your first half of break time before you leave the DO to go out on delivery. Also never come in early. This will likely fix most problems with Postie's coming back early. Instead you can either use the overrunning procedure or ask if they are willing to pay extended. Doing this will usually fix bad management problems.

mrpostiepat · Post by **mrpostiepat** » 17 Jun 2019, 17:20

Why do people find this so hard to understand. Just take your breaks and work to your time.

It is a paid break so Royal Mail are quite within there rights to make everyone sign out at there scheduled finish time, annoying I know but that's the way it is. In reality this rarely happens as managers are always cutting deals with the overtime gurus and runners.

Take nothing and you owe them nothing

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 18 Jun 2019, 10:11

Lol, this reminds me of people in the airport that go and stand in the boarding queue when called, only to be stood there waiting for 45 minutes!

GDJtam · Post by **GDJtam** » 18 Jun 2019, 21:03

I always finish on my time..., I dont take my full break like everyone else, therefore we are allowed to finish at 13.45 instead of 14.05. If we finish at 14.05 then we book 20 minutes extended. No problem.

On this occasion, I got back on time but because some posties had not returned from their absorption, I and a fair few others were made to wait until 14.05. I said I'll take my break in my car ans was told break had to be indoors? I said, if you make me stay until 14.05 then i'll book 20 minutes!

Games we play...petty!

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 18 Jun 2019, 22:14

GDJtam wrote:I always finish on my time..., I dont take my full break like everyone else, therefore we are allowed to finish at 13.45 instead of 14.05. If we finish at 14.05 then we book 20 minutes extended. No problem.

On this occasion, I got back on time but because some posties had not returned from their absorption, I and a fair few others were made to wait until 14.05. I said I'll take my break in my car ans was told break had to be indoors? I said, if you make me stay until 14.05 then i'll book 20 minutes!

Games we play...petty!

What's meant to be your official finish time?

number one · Post by **number one** » 19 Jun 2019, 17:11

GDJtam wrote:I always finish on my time..., I dont take my full break like everyone else, therefore we are allowed to finish at 13.45 instead of 14.05. If we finish at 14.05 then we book 20 minutes extended. No problem.

On this occasion, I got back on time but because some posties had not returned from their absorption, I and a fair few others were made to wait until 14.05. I said I'll take my break in my car ans was told break had to be indoors? I said, if you make me stay until 14.05 then i'll book 20 minutes!

Games we play...petty!

Breaks have to be taken indoors? In that case that 20 minutes before you go out then drive back to the office for your second 20 minutes