Bullying culture from managers

Redcollar · Post by **Redcollar** » 13 Mar 2017, 22:20

Took lapsing on Saturday was pressured to take more but refused and was spot checked 3 times during delivery.

Refused lapsing today. Had my character and performance called into question and again spot checked on delivery 3 times today.

I hate the bullying culture by managers in this company. 2 years I've worked for RM and never seen anything like it anywhere else. Was it always like this even before privatisation etc?

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 13 Mar 2017, 23:25

What was checked during the spot check?

Just remember to follow the methods and all the rules and you will be fine they cannot touch you! Don't be tempted to cut corners!

Don't refuse lapsing next time just say okay if I have time I will do it. If you don't, advise your manager and work your time.

Speak to a rep about the passive bullying.

Redcollar · Post by **Redcollar** » 14 Mar 2017, 08:22

South_London_Postie wrote:What was checked during the spot check?

Just remember to follow the methods and all the rules and you will be fine they cannot touch you! Don't be tempted to cut corners!

Don't refuse lapsing next time just say okay if I have time I will do it. If you don't, advise your manager and work your time.

Speak to a rep about the passive bullying.

Stopped and asked how much we had left to do then went away

rehabron · Post by **rehabron** » 14 Mar 2017, 16:03

Redcollar wrote:Took lapsing on Saturday was pressured to take more but refused and was spot checked 3 times during delivery.

Refused lapsing today. Had my character and performance called into question and again spot checked on delivery 3 times today.

I hate the bullying culture by managers in this company. 2 years I've worked for RM and never seen anything like it anywhere else. Was it always like this even before privatisation etc?

By refusing to take lapsing you are disobeying a direct instruction from a manager and this could lead to further consequences. You could have told him that you will accept the lapsing and will do your best to complete the additional volume of mail but making it clear that you will be finishing on your duty time. To assist your manger to make further arrangements for mail that is undelivered you will make contact an hour before duty completion confirming the amount of mail that is left undelivered and the responsibility is then transferred to manager.
Spot checked is nothing new and if your conscience tells you that you made every effort to complete the delivery but this was virtually impossible to meet this target then you have no recourse to yourself.
On the matter of your character being brought into question ask for this to be repeated when a witness is present and follow up with an HR1 ( Bullying & Harassment complaint).
Nothing changed on this culture by privatisation.

Post by **fly-catchers** » 14 Mar 2017, 16:52

I find that there is a constant insinuation from the management about not doing my round as quick as a reserve who does it when I am off. I never cut corners, take all my breaks, and do the delivery as intended. No bags on my shoulder, or running like mad. Nor do I pop in the shops mid delivery or endlessly check my mobile phone (not that I have one!) And yet more roads are being added because somebody else gets back far earlier. Apart from being 20 years or so younger and having (for the moment) good knees I cannot see how they can accomplish it! But its still me who is doing the job wrong!!

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 14 Mar 2017, 18:07

Just searched the forum for the word "bullying". 588 pages of results dating back to 2007. I'd say that bullying culture has always been part of Royal Mail and most likely always will be...

masterblaster · Post by **masterblaster** » 14 Mar 2017, 20:14

Bullying seemed to have got worse since there was mention of cut backs in the number of managers. It seems these (so called) managers know they are not good enough to get a cushy job in a better run company, so are trying to make themselves look good.

robbertwhitton · Post by **robbertwhitton** » 14 Mar 2017, 20:26

You see this all thectime being talked about in the courier mmmmmmm?????? Oh no sorry you don't,the courier is about real world day to day stuff????? Not!!!

Phantom · Post by **Phantom** » 14 Mar 2017, 20:39

robbertwhitton wrote:You see this all thectime being talked about in the courier mmmmmmm?????? Oh no sorry you don't,the courier is about real world day to day stuff????? Not!!!

I use my couriers for decorating, very good for using gloss paint.

Kick the Bucket · Post by **Kick the Bucket** » 15 Mar 2017, 00:57

Phantom wrote:
robbertwhitton wrote:You see this all thectime being talked about in the courier mmmmmmm?????? Oh no sorry you don't,the courier is about real world day to day stuff????? Not!!!
I use my couriers for decorating, very good for using gloss paint.

I use my courier for wiping dog crap off of my LWT Wheels. Works like a charm.

Dorset Plodder · Post by **Dorset Plodder** » 15 Mar 2017, 17:26

rehabron wrote: By refusing to take lapsing you are disobeying a direct instruction from a manager and this could lead to further consequences. You could have told him that you will accept the lapsing and will do your best to complete the additional volume of mail but making it clear that you will be finishing on your duty time. To assist your manger to make further arrangements for mail that is undelivered you will make contact an hour before duty completion confirming the amount of mail that is left undelivered and the responsibility is then transferred to manager.

I believe a lot of New Posties ( and a few Old ones) are still getting confused about Lapsing. The Bottom Line is: Have you got time to Lapse within your contracted hours.

They are further confused when hearing other Posties talking about, "Cutting Off and Bringing Mail back" Unit Reps really need to keep reminding people about using "The Over Running procedure", I would suggest that it's too late to argue the toss once you're out on Delivery. The DOM has to be told once you've thrown off and are ready to bundle up. Then he can check how much mail is in your frame. Then say, "As you can see I'm really busy today... I haven't got time to lapse". If a DOM knows what's good for him this will probably be the end of the Lapsing Issue. You can then tell him you're going to need an extra hours overtime to complete (and you're happy to do it IF he authorises the overtime), or you can tell him you want to finish on time (and you don't want the overtime). Then the balls in his court and it's his problem and he has to make a decision. He may well suggest the option Rehabron suggests, "Take it with you.... etc"

We all know DOMs like to try and Bully & Bullshit Posties at this stage.

It is a case of trying to stick to your guns and remember they can't Force you to do Over Time.

daveyctvr · Post by **daveyctvr** » 16 Mar 2017, 17:44

This just sums it up...

Dorset Plodder · Post by **Dorset Plodder** » 16 Mar 2017, 18:00

daveyctvr wrote:This just sums it up...

This is very good Davey

I wonder how many people will think it's just another CWU statement, like I did.

It's a shame that most Managers are probably following some sort of script like this.... from the "Little Black Book of Bullshit". Issued when they initially attend Management Training.

TheTrolleyMan · Post by **TheTrolleyMan** » 16 Mar 2017, 18:20

Do you mean managers or AGs that have worked for RM for 6 months and are so good they've been promoted

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 16 Mar 2017, 18:23

Actually, its not just lapsing that is the problem. Its the fact that they have made the deliveries that bl**dy big that we are almost forced to use the over-running procedure nearly every day. Even Tuesday, which is supposed to be the lightest day, is also the most challenging due to the high number of 1pm Specials, which means that they must get done first, so its wasted time driving round to get these properly attempted/delivered before the doing the actual loops.

Bullying has always existed in Royal Mail, but over the last few years it has got a lot worst. The main reason being is that the workload has increased both indoors and outdoors for both staff and (some) managers.