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Working patterns

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
ace13
Posts: 10
Joined: 03 Jul 2011, 17:30
Gender: Male

Working patterns

Post by ace13 »

Hi just wondering if someone can explain the 9 day fortnight working pattern. How does it work ? Thanks for any info
chickenwittle
Posts: 2095
Joined: 15 Nov 2009, 09:43
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by chickenwittle »

2 days off one week , followed by 1 day off following week.So first week Monday off , next week weds/thurs off, next week Tuesday off , next week Fri/Sat off .
rambo1
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 3266
Joined: 12 Jun 2013, 20:00
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by rambo1 »

I remember the happier days when we had those. Actually could have a life out of work. Union told us these were unworkable....... that was about 8 yrs ago! Can't believe offices still have them.
chickenwittle
Posts: 2095
Joined: 15 Nov 2009, 09:43
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by chickenwittle »

rambo1 wrote: ↑
27 Jan 2021, 21:26
I remember the happier days when we had those. Actually could have a life out of work. Union told us these were unworkable....... that was about 8 yrs ago! Can't believe offices still have them.
We’ve had them for about 10 years. Long weekend of fri /sat/mon every 4 weeks . Nice to have weds/thurs off every 4 weeks to .I know of offices that didn’t want them and preferred to work 5 day week with rotating day off , so only 1 in 6 Saturdays off, I couldn’t understand why.
Woody Guthrie
Posts: 5166
Joined: 29 Sep 2018, 20:47
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by Woody Guthrie »

I know of offices that didn’t want them and preferred to work 5 day week with rotating day off , so only 1 in 6 Saturdays off, I couldn’t understand why.
Nothing is free.
9 day fortnights and 4 day weeks mean a higher part-time ratio.
Some offices chose to protect full-time jobs rather than attendance patterns.
Only dead fish follow the current
Cucumber
Posts: 1052
Joined: 09 Dec 2018, 10:24
Gender: Female

Re: Working patterns

Post by Cucumber »

Woody Guthrie wrote: ↑
27 Jan 2021, 22:43
I know of offices that didn’t want them and preferred to work 5 day week with rotating day off , so only 1 in 6 Saturdays off, I couldn’t understand why.
Nothing is free.
9 day fortnights and 4 day weeks mean a higher part-time ratio.
Some offices chose to protect full-time jobs rather than attendance patterns.
Do you know the rough ratios required for those two attendance patterns you mention?
Woody Guthrie
Posts: 5166
Joined: 29 Sep 2018, 20:47
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by Woody Guthrie »

It would depend on how long your daily attendance was, the length of the deliveries and individual office work plans but it's hard to argue on the one hand that indoor workload is reducing and we need a SWW to protect full-time jobs while on the other hand building a duty pattern around a 9 and a half hour day.

That's obviously going to reduce the number of full-time staff you have in each day.
Only dead fish follow the current
Cucumber
Posts: 1052
Joined: 09 Dec 2018, 10:24
Gender: Female

Re: Working patterns

Post by Cucumber »

We haven't replaced/employed anyone on a full time contract for over 10 years. FT leaves/gets sacked, a few months later a new PT get employed. To the point we are probably more PT than FT. Duties range from 4 - 5.5 hours (pre covid).
Neverwasadoor
Posts: 127
Joined: 04 May 2017, 20:33
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by Neverwasadoor »

We are a small office with one group on a 9day and another not. Both groups are on a Saturday off every 4 weeks. The 9day is great we do roughly 43hrs on the 5day week and 33 on the 4day week. Our longest day is 8hrs 44mins. Also we don't have any part time duties. Hope this helps and I'd go for it if you get the chance.
mags999
Posts: 372
Joined: 25 Jun 2016, 11:05
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by mags999 »

that working pattern should be on the good old days board :dance
rambo1
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 3266
Joined: 12 Jun 2013, 20:00
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by rambo1 »

Yeah, like I said, it was heaven compared to a rotating 1 in 6 we have now. Cwu , came in and told all the part time staff there'd be more made up to full time if they voted for 1 in 6 .........and so the 9 dayer was no more. Don't think more PT became FT either. Another case of royal mail acting like a franchise rather than one company, offices seem to be able to do what the powers that be want instead of a consistent across the board approach.
par4mrl
Posts: 89
Joined: 21 Feb 2013, 22:34
Gender: Male

Re: Working patterns

Post by par4mrl »

We have a half wallington in our delivery office. 4 days off ( inc. Sunday’s ) every 3 weeks. In for 12 days 4 off then in for 18 days then 4 off...works well