ANNOUNCEMENT : ALL OF ROYAL MAIL'S EMPLOYMENT POLICIES (AGREEMENTS) AT A GLANCE (Updated 2021)... HERE
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Social distancing... Possible changes?
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SpacePhoenix
- MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
- Posts: 12106
- Joined: 12 Nov 2008, 17:03
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
In Germany each "state" within Germany makes it's own decisions on lockdowns etc. I think there's one "state" that's axing both the lockdown and social distancing
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Cucumber
- Posts: 1052
- Joined: 09 Dec 2018, 10:24
- Gender: Female
Social distancing... Possible changes?
Looks like a lot of offices are actually coping pretty well with the 1 person 1 van, although we are failing miserably.
It's tough going in every day working to your best and getting nowhere.
It's tough going in every day working to your best and getting nowhere.
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fb1969
- EX ROYAL MAIL
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: 29 Aug 2012, 08:38
- Gender: Male
- Location: hiding on the backstreets
Social distancing... Possible changes?
We're just about getting by. But no thought from managers about the people having to bus or walk out and back in the heat! We haven't even been told to walk in the shade

Royal Mail
failing the workforce, failing the public and deliberately failing mail on a daily basis for too many years.
failing the workforce, failing the public and deliberately failing mail on a daily basis for too many years.
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scoobymunster
- Posts: 346
- Joined: 30 Mar 2011, 00:39
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
Our sickness level has returned to normal so the office is pretty much fully staffed. Seems pointless to continue 1 person per van when people are working less than 1m apart at frames, in cramped aisles, then are also on top of each other whilst sorting. People don't seem to care anymore so doubt a fight would be put up here if van share was to return.
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Cucumber
- Posts: 1052
- Joined: 09 Dec 2018, 10:24
- Gender: Female
Social distancing... Possible changes?
Why are people working so close together? Nobody is making them - and regarding van share, whilst management might be turning a blind eye to distancing, they are simply not allowed to permit van share, no matter how relaxed staff are about working closely.scoobymunster wrote:Our sickness level has returned to normal so the office is pretty much fully staffed. Seems pointless to continue 1 person per van when people are working less than 1m apart at frames, in cramped aisles, then are also on top of each other whilst sorting. People don't seem to care anymore so doubt a fight would be put up here if van share was to return.
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Joe4567
- Posts: 45
- Joined: 05 Aug 2019, 15:09
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
Same as that. Seems like no one is arsed anymore about distancing both in the office and the general public out on the streets.scoobymunster wrote:Our sickness level has returned to normal so the office is pretty much fully staffed. Seems pointless to continue 1 person per van when people are working less than 1m apart at frames, in cramped aisles, then are also on top of each other whilst sorting. People don't seem to care anymore so doubt a fight would be put up here if van share was to return.
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SpacePhoenix
- MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
- Posts: 12106
- Joined: 12 Nov 2008, 17:03
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
Both 9am and 1pm SDs will return at some pointblakeyboy wrote: as long a 1pm special delivery doesn’t return
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weary_posty
- Posts: 225
- Joined: 01 Jul 2011, 15:08
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
How are other offices coping with social distancing?
Our office has finally for the past 2 weeks introduced a split shift with half the office starting at 0600 and the other half at 0900.
As you can imagine those shafted on the 0900 starts aren’t happy. There are talks of pushing it further back to 1000 so a 1800 finish.
Looks like Rico left us with a parting gift
Our office has finally for the past 2 weeks introduced a split shift with half the office starting at 0600 and the other half at 0900.
As you can imagine those shafted on the 0900 starts aren’t happy. There are talks of pushing it further back to 1000 so a 1800 finish.
Looks like Rico left us with a parting gift
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A2B
- Posts: 1986
- Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 19:34
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
Can't really blame Rico for this one, i think it's the only way to improve the working enviroment but i can see the issues it's going to cause.weary_posty wrote:How are other offices coping with social distancing?
Our office has finally for the past 2 weeks introduced a split shift with half the office starting at 0600 and the other half at 0900.
As you can imagine those shafted on the 0900 starts aren’t happy. There are talks of pushing it further back to 1000 so a 1800 finish.
Looks like Rico left us with a parting gift
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SpacePhoenix
- MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
- Posts: 12106
- Joined: 12 Nov 2008, 17:03
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
RM's hands were tied, they had to introduce social distancing, for most if not all DOs it was a case of either having split shifts or not bothering with social distancingA2B wrote:Can't really blame Rico for this one, i think it's the only way to improve the working enviroment but i can see the issues it's going to cause.weary_posty wrote:How are other offices coping with social distancing?
Our office has finally for the past 2 weeks introduced a split shift with half the office starting at 0600 and the other half at 0900.
As you can imagine those shafted on the 0900 starts aren’t happy. There are talks of pushing it further back to 1000 so a 1800 finish.
Looks like Rico left us with a parting gift
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HTPostman
- EX ROYAL MAIL
- Posts: 1503
- Joined: 01 Sep 2008, 23:53
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
One way round that is to get staff to volunteer to do the later shift - some may prefer the 9am start. Then alternate each week, so one week you’r on 6am, next week on 9am.weary_posty wrote:How are other offices coping with social distancing?
Our office has finally for the past 2 weeks introduced a split shift with half the office starting at 0600 and the other half at 0900.
As you can imagine those shafted on the 0900 starts aren’t happy. There are talks of pushing it further back to 1000 so a 1800 finish.
Looks like Rico left us with a parting gift
Could be worse though, could’ve been on a permanent (since social distancing began) 1pm start where you’re then battling collections drivers for a van, first letter usually 2pm!
The day is gonna come when we’re all gonna have to testify.
526
526
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Ren Hoëk
- Posts: 737
- Joined: 01 Feb 2018, 12:19
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
I volunteered for 9am start. Only a small handful of us are starting later. The rest of the office are all in on top of each other rushing around like headless chickens as per usual. I much prefer the later starts and would stay on it permanently if given the chance.
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HTPostman
- EX ROYAL MAIL
- Posts: 1503
- Joined: 01 Sep 2008, 23:53
- Gender: Male
Social distancing... Possible changes?
I was just thinking about this the other day. Anyone who knows me would say I don’t shirk hard work, but....Ren Hoëk wrote:I volunteered for 9am start. Only a small handful of us are starting later. The rest of the office are all in on top of each other rushing around like headless chickens as per usual. I much prefer the later starts and would stay on it permanently if given the chance.
If I go in at 6, I’m told to jump on IPS for half an hour, or sort packets, or prep 2 rounds, hand out oversized packets, portering, even sent out to deliver the councils mail or sent to the garage to collect a van. I wouldn’t get any extra time, it’s expected to be done in the 8 hours. From the minute I arrive it feels like one big panicked rush, everyone rushing to get out.
Go in at 9, and all I’m doing is prepping my round which sometimes has the mech put in. Same number of hours, much more relaxed.
No brainier really.
The day is gonna come when we’re all gonna have to testify.
526
526
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steve1873
- Posts: 792
- Joined: 08 Oct 2007, 13:55
Social distancing... Possible changes?
I'm 35 hour.
I was off for a bit with anxiety and volunteered to come back and work 10 til 5. But also on proviso that I can come back to office halfway through delivery to use toilet and have break. (also to ensure COLOD connected with our office collection time).
Means I rarely have time to complete, given the volume of parcels. But so far, its been pretty relaxed in terms of what can and can't be done.
Works quite well for me.
Our office also has a number of PT staff starting at 1pm and doing 5 and a bit hour shifts.
I was off for a bit with anxiety and volunteered to come back and work 10 til 5. But also on proviso that I can come back to office halfway through delivery to use toilet and have break. (also to ensure COLOD connected with our office collection time).
Means I rarely have time to complete, given the volume of parcels. But so far, its been pretty relaxed in terms of what can and can't be done.
Works quite well for me.
Our office also has a number of PT staff starting at 1pm and doing 5 and a bit hour shifts.