Thinking of leaving RM to work on the bins. Is the grass greener?

[twoloops]

Could be a good time to jump ship, get out before the stampede when Sunday’s come in?

[Judgee]

I am in exactly the same position as you! To jump or not to jump that is the question!

[Jpro747]

Posties aspiring to become bin men speaks volumes about working for RM

[Route1]

Mate of mine left RM 8 months to work for the local council for the bins. The shift patterns are Tuesday to Friday so every week you have a Saturday, Sunday and Monday off on a 37hr contract. The hourly rate isn't as good as RM however he told me its job and knock and has always been this way so he says they actually do around 30hrs for £21k a year which probably works out as good if not a bit better. I do 30hrs now and my top wage is £20k.
Ive been in this job 9yrs and im sick of how things are going and how we are ill treated. Ive always said that I'll never work a sunday either and this day could be become a working day for us all at some point.
My mate says its hard work and describes it like being on a postal round for 7hrs rather than 5 but they are done for around 1.30pm and it is only a 4 day contract. The biggest thing was that his stress levels have halved since joining the council plus he loves these 3 day weekends every week!!!
Having said all that im all very cautious because im terrified of making a jump sometimes but then I look at the long term picture of how the management, CEO and money grabbing shareholders give us no respect at all and I think things will get much worse in the next 5 yrs.
Im 50 next, feel fit in myself. Has anyone else thought about a new challenge and are fed up with what is around the corner with this job?

You wont know unless you try it. Me personally, I like my job and am happy with it. Although i like the idea of having every sat, sun, mon off.

Being a postie is hard work, so will working on the bins.

Leave on good terms and u might be able to come back if you dont like it. 6 of the last 7 interviewees for our office have been about 55 years old. We've been laughing at our manager but he's pulling his hair out giving abuse to HR for not sending younger fitter folk. He said he was honest with them all letting them know its hard graft.

[Route1]

Isn't a 6 month career break an option for you? Royal mail offer between 6 months to 2 years and gives you a chance to try the other job and if you don't like it you come back to your same contract. Upto the com/dom to authorise but remind him if he refuses it I might take 6 months sick leave to "clear my stress" they would rather you take the unpaid leave than pay you sick money out of their budget.

You are not allowed to work while on a career break

Who says? Even on the request forms there is do's and don'ts and if doesn't mention other employment. Even a quick Google search says you can work while on a career break. But as its up to the doms discretion I wouldn't put it as the sole reason for taking it. Just blag it

A career break isnt for trying out a new job. Thats definitely not allowed. It says it in the documents relating to Career Breaks.

Officially you cant take paid employment but it also depends on the circumstances.

A guy at our office went on a years career break just before covid & did paid work. It was teaching kids sports in other countries. Like sports camps for kids in the USA etc. His wages probably didnt cover half his costs but it was an experience and something he always wanted to do. We all knew he'd be back at the end of it. I'd say this is different to trying a new job

[barrychuckle]

I always dread when it’s bin day on my delivery. Not so much recycling day but general waste day. Outside every house is a stinking bin covered in flies normally the ones blue/green in colour because they are full of s**t. I do not deliver to any house where a bin is blocking my way. Also the stench behind a bin lorry is disgusting. So for me I’d rather put pieces of paper through a letter box everyday.

[Hyrrokkin]

Do binmen or binperson or waste operative also have to sort/split/deal with waste indoors at your local depot ?
No expert but i am guessing that would be part of the job
I would rather deal with a rabid dog than that anyday

[RobertT]

What happens regarding the pension pot I have built up with RM? Does this easily transfer into the council pension pot or is it best to start a new pot? Im not great with decisions like this.

It depends which RM pension you're in and what type of pension your new employer offers!

If you're going DC to DC, then transferring shouldn't be too problematic.

If it's DB to DB, then you'll need to calculate whether you'll get more by transferring or staying put.

But if it's DB to DC or vice versa, then it's possible transfers will not be allowed(depending on scheme rules) and in my opinion it's generally best not to transfer between pension types anyway. Because you could be giving up valuable guarantees(DB to DC), or getting poor value for your money(DC to DB).

[Wolf91]

Yes this is true. I’ve booked a 6 month career break for next May-November and I’m ‘not aloud’ to work/earn.

You can simply get 6 months off? so, if I just ask for a 6 month career break then I should be able to just get a 6 month holiday? obviously unpaid.

Yes, you can ask

Not guaranteed to have it granted though

Hmm that’s interesting. Worth a thought too.
I just can’t imagine a DOM accepting it though..

[xPandabear1992x]

The grass may not be

But the glass may be

[greengiant]

Quite often bins get emptied at 7/8pm at niight near me.

[priority102]

Quite often bins get emptied at 7/8pm at niight near me.

Well round here they work as the original poster has stated, our bins every Wednesday morning are always emptied before 7:15am, and the operatives do work on job and knock, they have told me that they are usually home by 2pm.

[Fannybaws]

Never yet seen a postie running around delivering mail though,

Worked with quite a few over the years.

[postiewhite]

Do binmen or binperson or waste operative also have to sort/split/deal with waste indoors at your local depot ?
No expert but i am guessing that would be part of the job
I would rather deal with a rabid dog than that anyday

Nope. You start your day pretty much from the wagon and finish on the wagon. I think the driver (that gets more money) has a few extra things to do.
Its not like RM where your time is split between indoor and outdoor. It looks like pretty much all of your hours are spent out

[sorefeet17]

Wouldn't you have to give the new employer your P45 so that your tax is correct? so if you don't they would have to know that you are on a career break and then they would also have to agree to that option?
Working on the bins I guess is similar physical work, no stairs though, but they do have to wear safety clothing and shoes, so no more shorts in Summer