HCT - being asked to walk for 6.10hours

[Lizzie]

Hello All,

I was wondering if there is a policy on how many hours you should be expected to be out on duty with HCT.

Due to a health disability work arranged I meet a colleague on our duty. This increases the amount of time I'm out on duty as I'm not prepping or travelling to my walk start within work hours.

This has meant, I am working 6.10 hours without a break (I do a for day week, 26 hour contract). They also decided to lumbar me with a massive HCT in a really hilly area. I did 2 days, about 12miles a day. I'm already disabled and this just made me ill and now I'm off work again.

I'm in the process of raising a grievance, and yes, I've told work I'm not using the HCT any more!

I just wanted to know if there were any policy documents related to this because spending 6.10 hours walking with a trolley, 12 miles, and paritally hilly seems unfair, and wrong, and would probably be hard for most posties let a lone someone under 5 foot with a debilitating health condition.

CHeers
L

[2yearpostie]

Sounds like you need to be in callers office or consider IHR, Its not worth making yourself worse over

[Lizzie]

I asked for reduced hours and it was denied. I asked for office work and it was denied. IHR is not really an option right now, I'm young (only 30) and my condition is variable meaning I might struggle to get PIP or ESA. As we all know, now isn't the best time to find a new job.

What I could do with is knowing what the policies are in regards to HCTs, I am raising various issues with ACAS so could do with this information as they will not be aware of fair working practice for RM

Cheers

[oldpostie]

reasonable adjustments can and should be made if your condition is covered under the equality act 2010.
Here is a link from the government website
Hope it helps.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... for....pdf

[General Mannerheim]

Don't think there is an actual policy about how long you can/cannot use a HCT as most offices operate a local agreement on delivery spans.
You really need to get the Area Health and Safety Rep involved especially if you have a disabilty and need reasonable adjustments to your duty.

[Alexei]

I recall reading something about HCT's only being used within a certain circumference of the office, with the topography being considered also. A previous revision deemed where my office was situated and the surrounding land made it impractical to use a HCT. That changed with Covid though. Having used the HCT extensively over the past year I can sympathise with your issues. In my case, I worked out the flattest route I could take and stuck with that, because climbing the first big initial hill was too much to ask, but after the teething issues I actually love using the HCT

But yes, that is far too long to be walking nevermind with equipment. I don't know your duty, but you should absolutely factor in travel time. You should be out on duty for the specified delivery span whatever that may be (4.30 for example) but realistically, maybe only 4 hours of that will be actual delivering of mail once accounting for the travel time to start of duty, between loops and back to office to puch off, so bare that in mind. Maybe the managers could arrange for the HCT to be dropped off at the highest point of the duty while you deliver your first bag on foot? It could be something to consider, although I would personally avoid this as you expose yourself to the incompetencies of management (first hand experience).

Sorry I can't help any futher, but my last (most important) suggestion would be to get a letter from the doctor to say you should not be pushing the HCT due to your disability, if it is indeed debilitating you. They are darn heavy things. I don't care to weigh mines but I would estimate it's over 50kg daily.

[ripio]

It is illegal for them to ask you to work over 6 hours without a break.
You are legally entitled to a 20 minute break somewhere in the middle of your shift, and Royal Mail policy is that you are entitled to a 30 minute break in that time span.

[Lizzie]

Thanks for this - the actual duty time is 6.30mins, I was only factoring in a 20 minute break as I wasn't told I'd have longer! (I was used to working 5.12 over 5 days you see)

[Lizzie]

I recall reading something about HCT's only being used within a certain circumference of the office, with the topography being considered also. A previous revision deemed where my office was situated and the surrounding land made it impractical to use a HCT. That changed with Covid though. Having used the HCT extensively over the past year I can sympathise with your issues. In my case, I worked out the flattest route I could take and stuck with that, because climbing the first big initial hill was too much to ask, but after the teething issues I actually love using the HCT

But yes, that is far too long to be walking nevermind with equipment. I don't know your duty, but you should absolutely factor in travel time. You should be out on duty for the specified delivery span whatever that may be (4.30 for example) but realistically, maybe only 4 hours of that will be actual delivering of mail once accounting for the travel time to start of duty, between loops and back to office to puch off, so bare that in mind. Maybe the managers could arrange for the HCT to be dropped off at the highest point of the duty while you deliver your first bag on foot? It could be something to consider, although I would personally avoid this as you expose yourself to the incompetencies of management (first hand experience).

Sorry I can't help any futher, but my last (most important) suggestion would be to get a letter from the doctor to say you should not be pushing the HCT due to your disability, if it is indeed debilitating you. They are darn heavy things. I don't care to weigh mines but I would estimate it's over 50kg daily.

Thanks for the advice

[P13]

Thanks for this - the actual duty time is 6.30mins, I was only factoring in a 20 minute break as I wasn't told I'd have longer! (I was used to working 5.12 over 5 days you see)

You are entitled to 30 minutes break when you work 5 hours 12 minutes as well

[TrueBlueTerrier]

HCT SSOW

[POSTMAN]

I recall reading something about HCT's only being used within a certain circumference of the office,

It's a Mile to 1st delivery point plus there is a weight limit, a limit that does not have to be reached, it's a maximum, the OP will push what the OP feels comfortable pushing.

[sorefeet17]

How many times would you have to refill the HTC for 6.1 hours outdoors?

[Lizzie]

Thanks for this - the actual duty time is 6.30mins, I was only factoring in a 20 minute break as I wasn't told I'd have longer! (I was used to working 5.12 over 5 days you see)

You are entitled to 30 minutes break when you work 5 hours 12 minutes as well

I've only been taking 20 mins break for the whole time I've been at RM- this was all I was told I could have on a 26hr contract

[P13]

Thanks for this - the actual duty time is 6.30mins, I was only factoring in a 20 minute break as I wasn't told I'd have longer! (I was used to working 5.12 over 5 days you see)

You are entitled to 30 minutes break when you work 5 hours 12 minutes as well

I've only been taking 20 mins break for the whole time I've been at RM- this was all I was told I could have on a 26hr contract

If you work between 5hrs and 7hrs per day it's a 30 minute break