Manager Harassment & Stress

Jamesfr3man · Post by **Jamesfr3man** » 20 Jun 2020, 17:34

Hi all,

Don't know if some of you recognize my name but I'm a P/T on a 25hr contract and have been with RM just over a year now, recently my DOM has come back after being away ill for the better part of a year and will not leave me alone. I seem to always get spoken to about something I'm doing wrong even if I'm surrounded by those doing the same. Have been told I am a “dangerous driver” although I have driven professionally for years and had no word from anyone in our office while my dom was away, and that I’m mopey and unhappy at work when I’m looked at? The final straw was today when I arrived to work at 10:45 and was told to sit down in the office for a "chat", I was asked why I was not completing my rounds and cutting off and that it was selfish of me now that someone else has to do my work and was told that maybe this job isn't for me and basically threatened me with willful delay . The previous day I was tasked with a frame that had two days worth of post on it from not going out and 3 bags from the day before that, plus packets, O/S and specials. I did all the bags that had come back from the day before and all my tracked/specials and 3 bags from the frame itself but had to cut 2 bags, a bundle and some non tracked packets as I ran out of time. Before I went out I told my lino that I would struggle and he just said "ok, do what you can''. I spent all of this meeting this morning defending myself, myjob and my ability just to be told that I'm no good and that this job isn't for me.

I was also told that I don't get a 30 min break but a 20 min one and that numerous complaints have been made about me from other managers including my lino? I just want to know what I can do about this? I'm really stressed out about it. When I come into the office at 12:30 I have to prep my frame and load up which takes at least 30 mins plus my break that's another 20-30mins so before I've even left the office I'm an hour down and I explained this but all I got was "all the duties in the office and 4 hours long, it shouldn't take you any longer than that, I don’t understand what the problem is".

I'm treated differently to other staff and am given impossible rounds to complete with my hours and I'm not the only one, other P/T in my office are also given crazy amounts to do and we’re pushed from pillar to post without warning and it's getting quite difficult. Up until recently I was called every morning to tell me when to come into work as they don't have enough vans and basically waited from 9:00 each morning for a call to come in. I end up running on delivery most days just so I can finish on time and when I don’t I end up being late with cut off and they won’t pay O/T.

What can I do? Our union rep is my DOMs buddy so no chance of any help there, I almost want to take some time off due to stress because of how I’ve been spoken to. All I do is try my best and this is how you’re treated.

Post by **osgoody1970** » 20 Jun 2020, 17:52

Go above your rep to the branch or the area rep, this is bullying and should not be tolerated in the workplace, I suggest you keep a diary of times, dates etc, work you are coming into, all that,s relevent to your working day, beat your dom with facts, not hearsay and myths, which seems to be his ideology, good luck.

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 20 Jun 2020, 18:01

osgoody1970 wrote:Go above your rep to the branch or the area rep, this is bullying and should not be tolerated in the workplace, I suggest you keep a diary of times, dates etc, work you are coming into, all that,s relevent to your working day, beat your dom with facts, not hearsay and myths, which seems to be his ideology, good luck.

good advice

, and who do these bastards thing they are

.

Acca Dacca · Post by **Acca Dacca** » 20 Jun 2020, 18:55

Ask him to come out on the round with you and he can give you pointers on what you could do differently to complete on time if he feels you should be doing more - ask for retraining from the workplace coach - call their bluff

Put this on record with your rep present

Im not a betting man but if I was I would put a lot of money on him not bothering his arse

Post by **rogersh** » 20 Jun 2020, 19:22

On the break issue. In this RMTV video May 2018 (although it's a process q&a) at 06.50 Simon Barker states the breaks for delivery by quoting the way forward agreement "we have commitments between 5-7 hours, 30 minutes..."
I do not know the duration of your shift.

https://www.myroyalmail.com/rmtv/rmtv-7 ... process-qa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Way forward post meal breaks;
https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 36&t=22175" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jamesfr3man · Post by **Jamesfr3man** » 20 Jun 2020, 20:25

Thanks for all the kind words and advice, I'm on 5 hour shifts so 30 mins is correct, looks like my DOM is wrong. I think I'm gonna try and contact my area rep or have a word with my local to see what he can do, not sure if he will do anything, but I'll ask anyway.

It's horrible that I have to defend my job on the spot without union help, another part of the "chat" I had to answer for was why I was talking to a colleague outside the locker for 10-15 mins. My manager timed our conversation in the background and brought up at the end of the meeting if you can believe it. We were just talking about gardening while I was logging into my gun. My response was that It's nice to talk to work colleagues as the whole job is social and it helps because all the social "places" are shut at the moment, straight away they said that my performance was a mental health issue and was told that if I wanted I could start earlier and work a park and loop as long as I used my own car to follow a van. Again I'm not sure if that's allowed?

The whole situation is FUBAR

Post by **panzer4** » 20 Jun 2020, 20:32

So sorry you are going through this harassment,first you must contact the area rep and tell them,next time you are asked in for a chat ask for a witness or record the conversation on your phone and most important contact the bully and harassment helpline and see your doctor .i know this sounds a lot to deal with and you will have doubts about continuing ,stay strong you will win , I did

Post by **osgoody1970** » 20 Jun 2020, 20:51

Another thing to point out to this Dom is, you work a 5 hour day I presume, which is made up of, a four hour walk(the Dom’s words) 30 minute break, travel to and from said walk, lets say 20 minutes, leaves ten minutes to pouch off at the end of your duty, I therefore take it,that you have to do no redirections, tying up or loading a van?? Because their is no time left??

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 20 Jun 2020, 21:22

Never go in the managers office without a rep, or trustworthy colleague!

robbertwhitton · Post by **robbertwhitton** » 20 Jun 2020, 22:27

Sounds a nasty piece of work,but then that’s not surprising,we’ve heard it all before,and can’t be tolerated,it needs to be taken higher,I’d be happy to lock horns with him,and challenge him with a smile on every aspect of his mismanagement behaviour,unlike him who should know better,follow procedure to the letter,he obviously has issues in how he deals with his staff,and needs addressing,I wish you well,keep us updated.

Post by **rambo1** » 20 Jun 2020, 22:45

Jamesfr3man wrote:Thanks for all the kind words and advice, I'm on 5 hour shifts so 30 mins is correct, looks like my DOM is wrong. I think I'm gonna try and contact my area rep or have a word with my local to see what he can do, not sure if he will do anything, but I'll ask anyway.

It's horrible that I have to defend my job on the spot without union help, another part of the "chat" I had to answer for was why I was talking to a colleague outside the locker for 10-15 mins. My manager timed our conversation in the background and brought up at the end of the meeting if you can believe it. We were just talking about gardening while I was logging into my gun. My response was that It's nice to talk to work colleagues as the whole job is social and it helps because all the social "places" are shut at the moment, straight away they said that my performance was a mental health issue and was told that if I wanted I could start earlier and work a park and loop as long as I used my own car to follow a van. Again I'm not sure if that's allowed?

The whole situation is FUBAR

Firstly, you most definitely should not be getting bullied like this. I would say however, that you aren't helping yourself if you are seen chatting for 15 mins, that's not on really, unless you're on your break. It doesn't take one minute to login to your PDA. Did your Dom take this up with the person you were chatting with? If not then there's evidence straight away of harassment of YOU.
The way the business is now, every minute should be spent working productively, unless you're taking your break. May sound harsh but that's the way it is and you will be taken up on it if you don't work like this. Of course like I said, if others are the same as you but only you get 'the chat' in the office, then you have a case. Nobody should be made to feel stressed by going to work.

Joe B · Post by **Joe B** » 20 Jun 2020, 22:55

osgoody1970 wrote:Another thing to point out to this Dom is, you work a 5 hour day I presume, which is made up of, a four hour walk(the Dom’s words) 30 minute break, travel to and from said walk, lets say 20 minutes, leaves ten minutes to pouch off at the end of your duty, I therefore take it,that you have to do no redirections, tying up or loading a van?? Because their is no time left??

And don't forget the increased volume at the moment. Follow the advice that's been given and report to the area rep. Good luck mate.

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 22 Jun 2020, 18:13

You didn't mention if you was in the CWU? I'm assuming you are and if your Unit rep can't help then I would contact your Area rep. The advices given previously are very relevant.

1. Don't go in the managers office without a rep or another colleague present
2. Keep a diary if you think you're being bullied

What will completely stop them in their tracks though are the words "bullying and harassment". Give the bullying and harassment helpline a call on 0800 5874 777 (I don't know if they are still open due to the pandemic, but its suppose to be a 24/7 service).

rosmor · Post by **rosmor** » 22 Jun 2020, 18:49

Get your area rep to go in with you, if your rep is friends with the Dom he needs to step down, as a rep myself I cannot tolerate these reps who are out for themselves

lambert246 · Post by **lambert246** » 24 Jun 2020, 00:47

As regarding any threat to accuse you of willful delay, follow the correct procedure for cutting off. It is in your union handbook.
You tell them (in front of witness preferably) that you may not be able to complete in your duty time. My answer to all questions thereafter is simple and one they cannot dispute. 4 simple words: that's not my problem. Works every time and infuriates them as what your really saying is: that's your problem! Let them deal with it.