RMCtv : Simon Thompson : Royal Mail welcomes the news that the day of Her Majesty's funeral will be a Bank Holiday-Mail services will be suspended for that day. : FAQs

[POSTMAN]

Simon Says

Team - an important update for you....

"Royal Mail welcomes the news that the day of Her Majesty’s funeral will be a Bank Holiday, to enable the people of the UK to pay their respects to the late Queen.
Mail services will be suspended for that day.
Full operational details will be shared following confirmation of the date and other arrangements."
**UPDATE - Funeral confirmed - 11am, Monday 19th September **

POSTMAN: While it is a 'Bank Holiday', awaiting 100% confirmation that normal Bank Holiday rules apply.

[POSTMAN]

Further information regarding the national mourning period for Her Majesty The Queen

Over the last few days, colleagues from across the business have been posting wonderful tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth and recounting their own special memories. Many of these relate to our own 500th anniversary celebration – an occasion which the Royal Family took a great interest in.

Many colleagues have also raised questions about the mourning period and the day of the funeral itself.

Non-service day to observe the State Funeral

On Saturday we confirmed that Monday 19 September, the day of Her Majesty’s funeral, would be a non-service day. We will adopt the same operational principles as we do for Christmas Day.
There will be no collection, processing or delivery operations on Monday 19 September. All duties that commence after 03:59 on Monday morning will not attend for work on Monday 19th. Staff will recommence for all duties starting after 03:59 on Tuesday 20th. There may be some specific local arrangements that will be managed by exception.
Normal year-round rest day arrangements will continue to apply. Employees not scheduled to attend work on September 19th due to it being their rest day or planned annual leave will receive an average attendance credit in line with standard Bank Holiday credit arrangements to be taken at an agreed alternative time.

National Silence

A one minute silence will be held at 8pm on Sunday 18 September. All operational sites open at that time should observe this.

Black armbands

A number of colleagues have requested to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. We can confirm these have been procured and we expect these to start to arrive in units at the end of this week. The wearing of a black armband is optional.
Posters for display in our Customer Service Points
All managers have been sent printable posters for display in customer facing areas.
Click here for the English version: https://www.myroyalmail.com/sites/defau ... _A4_v2.pdf
Click here for the Scottish version:https://www.myroyalmail.com/sites/defau ... _A4_v2.pdf
Click here for the Welsh version:https://www.myroyalmail.com/sites/defau ... _A4_v2.pdf

Local tributes

Sites wishing to hold their own tributes are welcome to do so. However, if this involves using Royal Mail vehicles e.g. in a procession or similar, please seek guidance from the special events team in case local permissions are required.
Letters of condolence

Over the coming days and weeks, a huge number of letter and cards of condolence will be sent to the Royal Family from right across the world. It is our job to deliver these safely and something we know our people will take great pride in doing – thank you.

[POSTMAN]

Her Majesty The Queen - FAQs

Sharing our guidance and answering your questions in our round up FAQs.
Also posted in full below. We will update with any changes should they happen.

Time off

· Will there be an extra Bank Holiday in memory of the Queen?
Yes, a Bank Holiday has been declared for Monday 19 September, the day of Her Majesty’s funeral.


· Will employees be off on the day of the funeral, Monday 19 September?
Royal Mail welcomes the news that the day of Her Majesty’s funeral will be a Bank Holiday, to enable the people of the UK to pay their respects to the late Queen. Mail services will be suspended on 19 September, ensuring that all of our employees have the day off.

We will adopt the same operational principles as we do for Christmas Day. There will be no collection, processing or delivery operations on Monday 19 September. All duties that commence after 03:59 on Monday morning will not attend for work on 19 September. Staff will recommence for all duties starting after 03:59 on Tuesday 20 September. There may be some specific local arrangements that will be managed by exception.

Normal year-round rest day arrangements will continue to apply. Employees not scheduled to attend work on 19 September, due to it being their rest day or planned annual leave, will receive an average attendance credit in line with standard Bank Holiday credit arrangements to be taken at an agreed alternative time.

· Will we be able to have time off to watch the funeral as it is such an important historical event?
Yes. The day of Her Majesty’s funeral has been declared a Bank Holiday, meaning all colleagues will be off work and able to watch the funeral should they wish.

· Members of my team say they are too upset to work and need to go home, should I let them?
We appreciate that the news is upsetting, and some employees will feel saddened by the Queen’s passing. Colleagues should speak to their manager if they feel they need more support, and the manager will direct you to what is available. We encourage everyone to come together and support each other in the workplace through this unsettling time.

· Will we get a day off on the day the day of the coronation of the new monarch?
The coronation of King Charles may be some time away, most likely in 2023, so no decisions have been reached. We will update our position once the date of the coronation is confirmed.

Paying respects/tributes

· How can I pay my respects in work – is there a book of remembrance somewhere?
We know many of our people have fond memories of the Queen and Royal Mail. In addition to the national book of condolences, you can also pay tribute to Her Majesty via Workplace. There is a group called ‘Her Majesty The Queen’ for you to post messages in tribute and read others from colleagues.

Sites wishing to hold their own tributes are welcome to do so. However, if this involves using Royal Mail vehicles e.g. in a procession or similar, please seek guidance from the special events team in case local permissions are required.

· Will there be a minute’s silence? How will we know when it is happening?
A one-minute silence will be held at 8pm on Sunday 18 September. All operational sites open at that time should observe this.

· Can I wear a black armband over my uniform?
A number of colleagues have requested to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. We can confirm these have been procured and we expect these to start to arrive in units at the end of this week. The wearing of a black armband is optional.

· Will I be forced to wear a black armband?
No, the wearing of a black armband is a personal choice for our employees.

· I am an anti-Royalist, will I be forced to participate in any tributes or remembrance activity?
No. Royal Mail appreciates that we all have different beliefs and will trust our people to do the right things for themselves, while remaining respectful towards others.

Re-branding

· When will all of the re-branding take place?
There are no plans to change the Royal Mail logo, which is recognised globally as an iconic British brand.

· How long will stamps be valid for?
All current stamps remain valid for use. These include Definitive stamps (regular ‘everyday’ stamps) and Special Stamps. Stamps without a barcode remain valid until the end of January 2023. No further announcements on stamps will be made before the funeral, and then only at the appropriate time, after consultation with Buckingham Palace.

· How will we re-brand all of our assets like postboxes?
In line with past practice, following the death of a monarch all existing postboxes will remain unchanged. Postboxes already in production, or being prepared for installation, will also retain the insignia of the Queen.

https://www.myroyalmail.com/sites/defau ... 140922.pdf

[POSTMAN]

Operational Arrangements – Funeral of HRH Queen Elizabeth – Bank Holiday Monday 19th September 2022

Both departments have received a number of enquiries relating to the Bank Holiday arrangements for the Queens funeral and further to previous updates we can confirm that an operational plan for the pending Bank Holiday for the Queens Funeral had been shared with both departments earlier this week. Both departments had raised a number of issues relating to the draft arrangements.

These related to the operational arrangements for the Sunday night which differ from normal Monday Bank Holiday arrangements, the approach to employees whose rest day falls on the Bank Holiday and the Pro rata arrangements for employees making less than 4 contracted attendances per week.

On the Night shift arrangements, the business have stated that this is an exceptional situation and that they have attempted to maximise time off on the Monday. Where Sunday night shift employees, who would normally take that night as the Bank Holiday attend they should receive a Bank Holiday Supplement for the hours after Midnight in addition to taking the Monday night as their Bank Holiday. However, the business has indicated that they will be flexible with regard to arrangements where a more traditional approach meets aspirations while covering workload.

On the approach to Rest Days, the company has retracted their previous position that the allocation of Overtime to hours worked above the conditioned hours for the week was not available and that all members would either be allocated an alternative day off in the week or assigned a lieu day. The revised wording now references the normal options within the Policy Document, which would include the overtime option.

The outstanding issue remains the Pro rata arrangements for employees making less than four attendances. The CWU believe that the application of the Pro rata calculation to what is an additional leave day confirmed to mark the Queens Funeral is not appropriate and affects the Bank Holiday entitlement for our members performing such duties across the whole year. This issue does not affect the operational arrangements and the departments have reserved the right to make further representations to the business.

While this is not an agreed document, at the 11th hour the business has moved position on some key areas and we attach the revised document to assist our Branches and Representatives in any necessary discussions. We apologise for the late notice, however the business only responded this morning. We would be grateful if you could circulate the document to Branches and Representatives within your Divisions.

[POSTMAN]

Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth: Bank Holiday Monday 19th September 2022

Operational Principle
Operation will switch off in the early hours Monday morning and restart Tuesday morning - There will be no collection, processing or delivery operations on Monday 19th September. All duties that commence after 03:59 on Monday morning will not attend for work on Monday 19th. Staff will recommence for all duties starting after 03:59 Tuesday 20th. There may be some specific local arrangements that can be jointly varied by local Royal Mail/CWU agreement.

Any attendance that starts pre 03:59 on Monday morning 19th September will complete their full attendance and not attend for their next shift.
Those due to start after 03:59 will not attend for work on Monday 19th September.


High-Level Principles by Function
Collections
There will be no collections on Monday 19th September.
Collections will recommence Tuesday 20th September.

Processing
Parcel Hub/Plant processing Sunday night 18th September, shifts will complete their shifts and not attend Monday night 19th September.
Processing will close at the end of the Sunday night shift 18th September
Normal Bank Processing will recommence on Tuesday

Linehaul & Local Distribution
Customer collections will cease Sunday evening 18th September.
Customer collections will recommence Tuesday 20th September.
The majority of Linehaul duties starting pre-03:59 Monday 19th September, will attend as normal Sunday night/Monday morning. Some exceptions will be agreed locally and will operate starting Tuesday morning. The T24 LAT network will operate on the Sunday night with local distribution
Tuesday morning.
Linehaul restarts on Tuesday 20th September. Operating a normal Monday RSL operation
Linehaul duties Wednesday 21st should operate a normal Tuesday RSL operation
Linehaul duties Thursday 22nd should operate a normal Wednesday RSL operation
Linehaul duties Friday 23rd should operate a normal Friday RSL operation

Delivery
Last deliveries will be Sunday 18th September (BAU Sunday operation).
No deliveries due to be completed on Monday 19th September.
Deliveries will recommence Tuesday 20th September.

Attendance Arrangements
Employees scheduled to work on Monday September 19th will now not need to attend and will receive an attendance credit equal to the number of ‘duty’ hours they would otherwise have attended
Normal year-round rest day arrangements will continue to apply. Employees not scheduled to attend work on Monday 19th September, due to it being a rest day, should follow the steps in the normal policy arrangements.
Where employees are required to work on the Bank Holiday, Bank Holiday overtime rates (or conditioned hours premium payments were worked as part of contracted hours) will apply as usual.
The additional bank holiday should be factored into pro-rata bank/Public holiday entitlements for employees working less than four attendances per week