Forced overtime over Xmas pressure

[meercat]

Is that a casual's contract? When did you start working for RM?

[PhilthyPhil]

Is that a casual's contract? When did you start working for RM?

It is a long term full time contract for OPG, 5 years (ish) old.

[Sippin40oz]

It says in my contract... "Royal Mail has the responsibility of providing a public service. This puts a special obligation on all employees to play their part in maintaining the kind of service which the public has the right to expect. The nature of the service makes a measure of overtime working necessary. For this reason, it is a condition of your employment that you are liable to work overtime and to attend at varying times on any day (including weekends, Bank and Public Holidays) as the need of the service demans. Overtime pay will be assessed in accordanse with your business units pay directive, which you can gain access to by contacting your manager."

That is in the temporary contracts as well. Would you agree that it implies you have to work overtime on any day they say and its up to them if they pay you? I wonder if any one has challanged that clause in court?

[axeman]

It says in my contract... "Royal Mail has the responsibility of providing a public service. This puts a special obligation on all employees to play their part in maintaining the kind of service which the public has the right to expect. The nature of the service makes a measure of overtime working necessary. For this reason, it is a condition of your employment that you are liable to work overtime and to attend at varying times on any day (including weekends, Bank and Public Holidays) as the need of the service demans. Overtime pay will be assessed in accordanse with your business units pay directive, which you can gain access to by contacting your manager."

but it does not mean you have to do it your only obligation is to your family !! this would be blown out of the water in a court of law

[PhilthyPhil]

There is nothing unlawful about compulsory/contractual overtime. I believe parcelforce have up to 3 hours compulsory overtime per day. It is fair to say the wording in my contract is pretty vague though, which is par for the course with Royal Mail

[Sippin40oz]

I wonder if the union should be involved with the content of these contracts? This overtime clause is being used as a harrassment tool against their members and it should be investigate in my opinion!

[Martin Walsh]

Fishtank is correct there used to be a postal instructurion which made over time within the postal industry compulsory. But an agreement made in the 70s titled the abolition of compulsory overtime at Christmas replaced it which still included a level of compulsory overtime. In fact the Tooting Delivery Office in the 90s were taken to court over the refusal of the office to reach an agreement on christmas overtime.

The aboliton of compulsory overtime agreement was cancelled when the working time directive came in and there is now no complusory overtime in Royal Mail. In fact unless you have signed a waver your not meant to work more than 48 hours per week.

Ask your manager to put it in writing that he wants you to work complusory overtime and alert your area rep.

[Sippin40oz]

Fishtank is correct there used to be a postal instructurion which made over time within the postal industry compulsory. But an agreement made in the 70s titled the abolition of compulsory overtime at Christmas replaced it which still included a level of compulsory overtime. In fact the Tooting Delivery Office in the 90s were taken to court over the refusal of the office to reach an agreement on christmas overtime.

The aboliton of compulsory overtime agreement was cancelled when the working time directive came in and there is now no complusory overtime in Royal Mail. In fact unless you have signed a waver your not meant to work more than 48 hours per week.

Ask your manager to put it in writing that he wants you to work complusory overtime and alert your area rep.

Thats great in theory but RM seems to be putting everyone on 20-30 hour contracts at the moment so 48 hour limit doesnt really protect us! Add to that a lot of these contracts are now fixed term so if you dont do the overtime you can be threatened with not having your contract renewed.

Bullying and harrassment in the work place is definitely illegal but you only have to read this forum to know it is common place within royal mail! If legistated practices are being so blatantly ignored what are the chances that management are actually towing the line and not forcing overtime?

[guvenor]

whats a contract
is it the same as an agreement
8 hrs a day no more or less if YOU wish to do otherwise fine
what some people would have you believe

[maureentrix]

re o/t i have said i dont want o/t so have been told i have to take my last meal relief at the end of my in the office . i querried why i was the only one to have to stay back ,the reply was i was the only one playing silly buggers .is it right i have to stay in the office for last meal relief ?

[fishtank]

re o/t i have said i dont want o/t so have been told i have to take my last meal relief at the end of my in the office . i querried why i was the only one to have to stay back ,the reply was i was the only one playing silly buggers .is it right i have to stay in the office for last meal relief ?

What do you mean by last meal relief?
If you mean you take 20mins at the end then no he can't decide where you have it.

[clashcityrocker]

re o/t i have said i dont want o/t so have been told i have to take my last meal relief at the end of my in the office . i querried why i was the only one to have to stay back ,the reply was i was the only one playing silly buggers .is it right i have to stay in the office for last meal relief ?

Isn't this a bit like being kept in detention?
Does your DOM think he is a schoolteacher?
Bunk off.

[hantsman]

re o/t i have said i dont want o/t so have been told i have to take my last meal relief at the end of my in the office . i querried why i was the only one to have to stay back ,the reply was i was the only one playing silly buggers .is it right i have to stay in the office for last meal relief ?

Isn't this a bit like being kept in detention?
Does your DOM think he is a schoolteacher?
Bunk off.

You take your meal break where you like IMHO, make a complaint!