Unpaid Leave

[Coffeeaddict]

So unfortunately today I have had to make the decision to take unpaid leave. I have been isolating and was due back to work Tuesday. I have been in contact with colleagues during the time I have been off and they have informed me that there is no distancing at all in the office everyone still standing around sorting parcels, people walking past each other’s fittings. They have gloves and sanitiser and the IPS has been spaced out 2m but nothing else has been done i.e taping off fittings etc. I spoke to my manager over my concerns and he said he could not guarantee that I would stay 2m from other colleagues. I understand it is a difficult time for managers, but feel that not everything that could be done has been done which could make it safer for everyone.

Now I have been told that if I am “shielding” (whatever that means) that I have to follow the same rules as if I was in isolation (not go to the shops etc). Can they even do say/do this seen as though I’m not getting paid anyway? Also if I felt like the most that could be done had been implemented in the office I would go in, but it hasn’t so that is the reason I am not taking the risk!

[Ren Hoëk]

Im in the exact same situation.

Soon to be unpaid. They can get to f**k if they are going to dictate to me, UNPAID! how I will best protect my family when they couldn't give a s**t about protecting us at work. Iv been isolating like the rest of us but the shopping still needs to be done, The dog still needs to be walked. Im in control of that as much as anyone can be. Other than the shopping once a week we see nobody and I cross the road when I see anyone with the dog.

At work you are exposed to everyone in the office, Everyone out walking, Touching hundreds of gates and letterboxes, Handling hundreds of letters and parcels previously handled by god knows who. Gloves and face-masks are pointless and can actually exacerbate the problem. The only thing that can effectually keep you safe is isolation and hand washing. That means hand-washing after everything you touch. Social distancing in the office is impossible. All for what? Junk mail and tat!

[Coffeeaddict]

Im in the exact same situation.

Soon to be unpaid. They can get to f**k if they are going to dictate to me, UNPAID! how I will best protect my family when they couldn't give a s**t about protecting us at work. Iv been isolating like the rest of us but the shopping still needs to be done, The dog still needs to be walked. Im in control of that as much as anyone can be. Other than the shopping once a week we see nobody and I cross the road when I see anyone with the dog.

At work you are exposed to everyone in the office, Everyone out walking, Touching hundreds of gates and letterboxes, Handling hundreds of letters and parcels previously handled by god knows who. Gloves and face-masks are pointless and can actually exacerbate the problem. The only thing that can effectually keep you safe is isolation and hand washing. That means hand-washing after everything you touch. Social distancing in the office is impossible. All for what? Junk mail and tat!

That’s exactly my point! I don’t feel as though there would be as much risk out on delivery as you’d just have to make sure you don’t touch your face etc. But in my opinion the office is like walking into a death trap!

[world class male]

So unfortunately today I have had to make the decision to take unpaid leave. I have been isolating and was due back to work Tuesday. I have been in contact with colleagues during the time I have been off and they have informed me that there is no distancing at all in the office everyone still standing around sorting parcels, people walking past each other’s fittings. They have gloves and sanitiser and the IPS has been spaced out 2m but nothing else has been done i.e taping off fittings etc. I spoke to my manager over my concerns and he said he could not guarantee that I would stay 2m from other colleagues. I understand it is a difficult time for managers, but feel that not everything that could be done has been done which could make it safer for everyone.

Now I have been told that if I am “shielding” (whatever that means) that I have to follow the same rules as if I was in isolation (not go to the shops etc). Can they even do say/do this seen as though I’m not getting paid anyway? Also if I felt like the most that could be done had been implemented in the office I would go in, but it hasn’t so that is the reason I am not taking the risk!

i'd reckon 99.9% of D/O's cannot maintain a 2 metre rule, if possible offer to work earlier on sorting or later delivering
put the onus on them if you're uncomfortable
if you do continue to take unpaid leave i'd immediately inform your MP and emphasise why

[aiden01]

Im in the exact same situation.

Soon to be unpaid. They can get to f**k if they are going to dictate to me, UNPAID! how I will best protect my family when they couldn't give a s**t about protecting us at work. Iv been isolating like the rest of us but the shopping still needs to be done, The dog still needs to be walked. Im in control of that as much as anyone can be. Other than the shopping once a week we see nobody and I cross the road when I see anyone with the dog.

At work you are exposed to everyone in the office, Everyone out walking, Touching hundreds of gates and letterboxes, Handling hundreds of letters and parcels previously handled by god knows who. Gloves and face-masks are pointless and can actually exacerbate the problem. The only thing that can effectually keep you safe is isolation and hand washing. That means hand-washing after everything you touch. Social distancing in the office is impossible. All for what? Junk mail and tat!

I know how you feel but working in a mc we cant wash our hands after everything we touch.. and might i add reps do not care

[Coffeeaddict]

So unfortunately today I have had to make the decision to take unpaid leave. I have been isolating and was due back to work Tuesday. I have been in contact with colleagues during the time I have been off and they have informed me that there is no distancing at all in the office everyone still standing around sorting parcels, people walking past each other’s fittings. They have gloves and sanitiser and the IPS has been spaced out 2m but nothing else has been done i.e taping off fittings etc. I spoke to my manager over my concerns and he said he could not guarantee that I would stay 2m from other colleagues. I understand it is a difficult time for managers, but feel that not everything that could be done has been done which could make it safer for everyone.

Now I have been told that if I am “shielding” (whatever that means) that I have to follow the same rules as if I was in isolation (not go to the shops etc). Can they even do say/do this seen as though I’m not getting paid anyway? Also if I felt like the most that could be done had been implemented in the office I would go in, but it hasn’t so that is the reason I am not taking the risk!

i'd reckon 99.9% of D/O's cannot maintain a 2 metre rule, if possible offer to work earlier on sorting or later delivering
put the onus on them if you're uncomfortable
if you do continue to take unpaid leave i'd immediately inform your MP and emphasise why

I did offer to still go out on delivery, but they seemed to not want to accommodate this despite other people in the office been allowed to meet the driver at the start of the round from their house.

[Ren Hoëk]

So unfortunately today I have had to make the decision to take unpaid leave. I have been isolating and was due back to work Tuesday. I have been in contact with colleagues during the time I have been off and they have informed me that there is no distancing at all in the office everyone still standing around sorting parcels, people walking past each other’s fittings. They have gloves and sanitiser and the IPS has been spaced out 2m but nothing else has been done i.e taping off fittings etc. I spoke to my manager over my concerns and he said he could not guarantee that I would stay 2m from other colleagues. I understand it is a difficult time for managers, but feel that not everything that could be done has been done which could make it safer for everyone.

Now I have been told that if I am “shielding” (whatever that means) that I have to follow the same rules as if I was in isolation (not go to the shops etc). Can they even do say/do this seen as though I’m not getting paid anyway? Also if I felt like the most that could be done had been implemented in the office I would go in, but it hasn’t so that is the reason I am not taking the risk!

i'd reckon 99.9% of D/O's cannot maintain a 2 metre rule, if possible offer to work earlier on sorting or later delivering
put the onus on them if you're uncomfortable
if you do continue to take unpaid leave i'd immediately inform your MP and emphasise why

Iv been onto our MP about this issue.


After a couple of Emails back and forth over the issue. Me highlighting that without being told by the government RM will not act. I told him about the situation in the office and peoples fears and what i will be forced to do (Unpaid leave). All he did was link me to the current government advice and completely ignored the massive gap in policy and the logic of it. I repeated again, courteously may I add, that it didn't provide an answer to the issue.

This was his response. No Dear Mr such N such, No yours sincerely Mr MP just -

"Sorry, but it’s the best I can do. Everyone is doing their best"

Couldn't. Give. A. s**t.

FYI, He's a Tory.

[stevejm]

So unfortunately today I have had to make the decision to take unpaid leave. I have been isolating and was due back to work Tuesday. I have been in contact with colleagues during the time I have been off and they have informed me that there is no distancing at all in the office everyone still standing around sorting parcels, people walking past each other’s fittings. They have gloves and sanitiser and the IPS has been spaced out 2m but nothing else has been done i.e taping off fittings etc. I spoke to my manager over my concerns and he said he could not guarantee that I would stay 2m from other colleagues. I understand it is a difficult time for managers, but feel that not everything that could be done has been done which could make it safer for everyone.

Now I have been told that if I am “shielding” (whatever that means) that I have to follow the same rules as if I was in isolation (not go to the shops etc). Can they even do say/do this seen as though I’m not getting paid anyway? Also if I felt like the most that could be done had been implemented in the office I would go in, but it hasn’t so that is the reason I am not taking the risk!

i'd reckon 99.9% of D/O's cannot maintain a 2 metre rule, if possible offer to work earlier on sorting or later delivering
put the onus on them if you're uncomfortable
if you do continue to take unpaid leave i'd immediately inform your MP and emphasise why

I did offer to still go out on delivery, but they seemed to not want to accommodate this despite other people in the office been allowed to meet the driver at the start of the round from their house.

Ask to go in later if you are a part timer. Normally being a part timer is a less attractive proposition but for once it has an advantage. I started at 10AM yesterday precisely because of lack of social distancing previously.

With full-timers could less people come in for sorting and parcels and flats and putting in the mec? Like do it in 2 shifts? Then everyone goes out later, again at staggered times. I know some people would moan but management AND posties have to make an exception in a crisis like this, plus daylighthours are longer now. Who cares if you finish at 7pm if your are 2/3 times safer?

[Coffeeaddict]

So unfortunately today I have had to make the decision to take unpaid leave. I have been isolating and was due back to work Tuesday. I have been in contact with colleagues during the time I have been off and they have informed me that there is no distancing at all in the office everyone still standing around sorting parcels, people walking past each other’s fittings. They have gloves and sanitiser and the IPS has been spaced out 2m but nothing else has been done i.e taping off fittings etc. I spoke to my manager over my concerns and he said he could not guarantee that I would stay 2m from other colleagues. I understand it is a difficult time for managers, but feel that not everything that could be done has been done which could make it safer for everyone.

Now I have been told that if I am “shielding” (whatever that means) that I have to follow the same rules as if I was in isolation (not go to the shops etc). Can they even do say/do this seen as though I’m not getting paid anyway? Also if I felt like the most that could be done had been implemented in the office I would go in, but it hasn’t so that is the reason I am not taking the risk!

i'd reckon 99.9% of D/O's cannot maintain a 2 metre rule, if possible offer to work earlier on sorting or later delivering
put the onus on them if you're uncomfortable
if you do continue to take unpaid leave i'd immediately inform your MP and emphasise why

I did offer to still go out on delivery, but they seemed to not want to accommodate this despite other people in the office been allowed to meet the driver at the start of the round from their house.

Ask to go in later if you are a part timer. Normally being a part timer is a less attractive proposition but for once it has an advantage. I started at 10AM yesterday precisely because of lack of social distancing previously.

With full-timers could less people come in for sorting and parcels and flats and putting in the mec? Like do it in 2 shifts? Then everyone goes out later, again at staggered times. I know some people would moan but management AND posties have to make an exception in a crisis like this, plus daylighthours are longer now. Who cares if you finish at 7pm if your are 2/3 times safer?

I am a part timer and I did offer to still go out on delivery without going in the office. I did also offer to start at a later time. But basically the bottom line was either I come in or take it unpaid they were my two options and that was it.

[Murdoch]

I am a part timer and I did offer to still go out on delivery without going in the office. I did also offer to start at a later time. But basically the bottom line was either I come in or take it unpaid they were my two options and that was it.

Don't give them the option, just say you'll be going in at whatever time, and give a long list of health and safety reasons, do this in writing.

[LouBarlow]

This isn't going to suddenly disappear over night, so while I understand why people need to isolate, if they are vulnerable, then you are going to have to look seriously at getting another job in the future, as it will never be a 0% risk profession going forward. It isn't hyperbole to say 'the world has changed' in that regard. Vaccination will only bring a little more protection.

[antcpfc]

I am a part timer and I did offer to still go out on delivery without going in the office. I did also offer to start at a later time. But basically the bottom line was either I come in or take it unpaid they were my two options and that was it.

Don't give them the option, just say you'll be going in at whatever time, and give a long list of health and safety reasons, do this in writing.

I am off this week but on returning will be starting at 10 a.m and as I am full time will only be missing out on the IPS part of my duty. Having high BP and a wife with a low immune system was the reason for asking. My DOM was fine with this and to be honest the less people inside early doors the better, Obviously after 35 years doing this job finishing at four-five o'clock will take some getting used to

[Munchboii]

All I can say is that Royal Mail is the only company paying any sort of sick leave at all. We are very lucky actually. People love to slag Royal Mail off but nobody admits that when it comes to sick pay, ect, we get it the best!

[Deadly]

My office aren't turning down any requests for unpaid leave, is this the same everywhere?

[Ren Hoëk]

All I can say is that Royal Mail is the only company paying any sort of sick leave at all. We are very lucky actually. People love to slag Royal Mail off but nobody admits that when it comes to sick pay, ect, we get it the best!

Not true. Plenty of companies pay sick leave. BT have just announced they will be providing full pay for staff who are isolating due to vulnerable people at home.