Royal Mail hits back over in-house agency

[markadam1962]

Experience with Angard has been poor especially compared to the arangements that were in place last year at Christmas when I started and throughout the year having been kept on in our MC after Christmas. I was always aware that work would only be available when it was justifiable to call casuals in, however with so much EVR going on we (half dozon of us used as a pool) were told we would be busy! Until September when Angard took over I was on average getting 2 to 3 shifts a week normally Tuesday and Friday and the odd Monday (6 hours - Midnight start).
Since September I have worked a total of 9 shifts. ALL THESE SHIFTS have been through the MC ringing me personnaly. All I have received from Angard are texts offering unsuitable shifts, when I am phoned I point out that due to my circumstances I can only work nights, however the texts and phone calls continue to arrive! The pay date changed has ment you have to wait a fortnight to be paid for a Friday shift (if you didn't work one the previous week!) Then on top of that you don't get paid what you were expecting (missed shift allowance, missed shift altogether!)

Once Christmas is over I'm leaving Angard, I can't face another period of total financial uncertanty. Coupled with the new pay rates I'm looking elsewhere, its a pity as I liked working for RM but being treated like a nothing has made me realise that there is only so much you can take before you have to call a halt. No doubt I will be easily replaced! I often chuckle as I walk past the RM's "Investers in People" plaque.