Couldn't complete round - What happens now !!

MissKazzyB · Post by **MissKazzyB** » 21 Jun 2017, 16:23

Hi guys

It's my third week so I am pretty new. I've been out doing my round on my own however my trainer has come to help me if he can after his round.
From about last Friday, I'd been doing it completely on my own but kept going over my time to get it finished & hopefully I'll be paid for it this week.
My normal manager is on leave so we have others in to cover him. I went over my time on Nonday & they said they'd pay over time.
Tuesday was fine as it's a lighter day & I actually managed to finish an hour before my time. Was well chuffed with myself. However today there was loads & I know for sure, there's no way I'd be able to do it all so I mentioned it to the floor manager who suggested for me to leave the first couple of roads behind & that 2 others were coming in to help.
What a relief I thought to myself, however I still managed to go 40 minutes over my time which includes no meal relief too. When I went back to office, all the bundles/packets were still there. Couldn't believe it. I think I'm expected to take them tomorrow but obviously going to have loads & wont be able to get tomorrow's done, let alone some of today & all tomorrow. Apparently they don't want to pay me over time now & im expected to clear it all.
In this heat - Are they having a f***ing laugh !!!!
My feet & ankles are still getting used to all the walking & I obviously ain't as fast as all the others
Help Help!!!!!
Where do I stand & what rights do I have. I don't t want to lose my job or when my probation is up, they send me on my way.
Well hopefully I'll be much quicker by the end of my probation.
Thanks for taking time to read my moaning topic & thanks for the replies xxx

rehabron · Post by **rehabron** » 21 Jun 2017, 16:49

You are not doing yourself any favours by working your meal relief. The meal relief is to give you a rest/recovery time and refreshments to break up the walk span and using it will benefit you in the long run. Having already completed 3 weeks you should have an idea the volumes you can manage within your shift and if volumes at first glance look excessive then you utilise the cutting off procedure. As you are still in your probationary period you politely inform your line manger that you will do your best to complete your walk and ask for a contact number that you can phone and will make contact in advance of your finishing time. One hour as a rough guide if you feel you are unable to complete giving line manager the responsibility to make a decision how best to clear the excess. If unwilling there and then to not pay overtime then you return to office with the remainder. If unduly pressure is put on you to complete then inform your union rep to take the matter up with management. Try to ensure you can give priority to delivering specials on their allocated time and other signed for items.

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 21 Jun 2017, 17:20

so it only took til your 3rd week to see what a shower of s**t this company actually is at the moment. Hopefully you joined the union, speak to your rep.

MissKazzyB · Post by **MissKazzyB** » 21 Jun 2017, 17:21

I haven't taken my meal relief as I wanted to get as much done as possible & because my feet & ankles hurt, it makes them worse if I rest them so I just carry on...
And yes i joined the union :-)) Joined on my induction day :-)

Lilly J · Post by **Lilly J** » 21 Jun 2017, 17:38

Hey newbie.... another newbie here! I'm 8 weeks in and finding that Weds are a real struggle too. I went over my time last week, and didn't even think to ask if it would be paid overtime.

I don't take my meal break either, and would be expected to take it at the start of my shift, so as I'm part-time I don't start til 8.30 when the others have all been in since 6 and some of them are already going out the door, and I have to bundle up and pack my trolley. So am constantly not getting out until after 9/9.15. It was 9.30 today and I had to do some lapsing on my walking route too. Today, I told my manager that I may not get finished and he just said 'let me know'. So how do you take your break whilst you're out?

With the extreme heat today, I managed to get almost all of my walk done, except for my last road (only one side) as I was feeling real sick and I had gone up to my time. So I took it back and told my manager - could tell he wasn't happy and then he thought I finished at 2.30, when my finish time is at 2, but I cut off at 1.30 as I hadn't taken my break. I don't think he realises I'm part-time. But I've decided that I'm not being taken for granted, especially being part-time and a newbie too.

I feel your frustration!!!! I know I'm speeding up now as I've been on my same walk for last couple of weeks so that helps a lot as I know where I'm going and the numbers now. But still an eye opener as to how managers see things. I'm thinking of having a word with my union rep. Managers need to be more supportive for sure!

rehabron · Post by **rehabron** » 21 Jun 2017, 17:40

MissKazzyB wrote:I haven't taken my meal relief as I wanted to get as much done as possible & because my feet & ankles hurt, it makes them worse if I rest them so I just carry on...
And yes i joined the union :-)) Joined on my induction day :-)

The more you do the more it will be expected. Just do your job to the best of your ability and don't kill yourself trying to meet unachievable targets.

Post by **wacko74** » 21 Jun 2017, 17:47

I can agree that taking your full break mid-delivery can make the pain in your feet and ankles worse, my knees and ankles seize up completely if I stop and sit in the van for a full 30 mins!... instead I just split my 30 min break into 3 lots of 10 mins.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 21 Jun 2017, 18:01

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=18563" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OVERRUNNING DELIVERIES OPG NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE

Shaders · Post by **Shaders** » 21 Jun 2017, 18:24

Don't beat yourself up about being a newbie and not being up to speed, my partner and I have 30 years between us and we regularly go over (if we want to) because the walks are so unachievable.

The bottom line is no one works for nothing, if they won't pay you, don't do it, I understand you want to get a permenant job but by not taking a break etc is just helping to cover the problem up.
Follow the correct procedures for not completing and you'll be fine,

St1983 · Post by **St1983** » 21 Jun 2017, 18:59

Hi, I'm also on my 3rd week, 25hr contract. I haven't been able to finish my delivery at all yet, I take my break but normally only go over hlf hour max, tho most days try to finish on time. I've been told to just leave all the mail in my trolley when I'm done. Although the other day the manager told me I should be bringing it bk in to unload. Which means I should be coming bk an extra 10mins early I guess? I've just been told different things, most times I haven't been told about any cutting off procedures, just that I need to take out all my Mail and deliver it.

Newbie001 · Post by **Newbie001** » 21 Jun 2017, 19:20

Managers will NEVER explain what the cutting off procedure is. Or even that such a thing exists. Best bet is to speak to rep for explanation. And make sure they are with you when you speak to manager. It takes managers months and months to get new staff member. Wouldn't worry too much about probation period, most new staff leave before it's even an issue and managers know it. If you still want the job after six months or whatever the probation period is, then the job is yours.

Post by **bustedflush** » 21 Jun 2017, 19:49

What a depressing read this is, makes me feel guilty I got out. It seems the 1/9 for 6 months survival of new intakes is about right. it's the only job where it starts easy, and gets harder. Most jobs are stressful in the first month when finding your feet, but in RM you get a false sense of security with help in the first week or so then dumped on crap jobs with minimal training. And this is an EASY month (theoretically).

The stress is mostly mental - you've got to get home and pick kids up from school (why many like the advertised hours) or you get lost sometimes on a new round, get out very late or have to tell DIMs you cannot complete, all the while conscious you need the money and don't want to be seen as uncooperative so you fear your contract isn't renewed. So you miss breaks and cut corners to make the round achievable. It's a vicious circle, and like me you'll soon learn to cut corners or come in early in order to finish early for the schools, and that'll likely set the pattern for how you operate for your whole career at RM - and it seems that's just how the managers or some of the FT's you partner like it.

P.S. The person above who said he 'couldn't stop for 30 mins at once as the knees and ankles would scream afterwards' - that's exactly what happened to me and it turned out eventually I had arthritis in both knees and one ankle after x-rays. I would get back from the round after sitting in van passenger seat for 10-15 mins getting back to DO and for the next 15 minutes I'd be walking like I had just spent the day at a Barrymore Pool Party. Get it checked out!

And the other person mentioned they were just too knackered to socialize at weekends after a week's walking. Yes, I went out about twice in 2 years on a Saturday night to meet pals, just simply never had the energy and it was easier to doss about at home.

This job can take a hell or a lot away from you, can have significant costs both physically, mentally and socially.

catch22 · Post by **catch22** » 21 Jun 2017, 19:54

full timers not being replaced. Less mail being replaced with packets. More houses being built. Royal mail being out of date. And not willing to invest.
Wanting more for less and filtering their inefficiency onto managers who in turn bully staff to perform.
Their is no cure until we all stop working for nothing. Take your breaks. Take your time. Do the job right. And let them compare you to someone 20years younger.
Catch 22.

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 21 Jun 2017, 20:08

whats really sad is the neglect shown by management, we truly are just numbers to RM, theres no real care about our welfare, its just all about maximising hours worked and getting everything cleared and using bullying tactics if someone cant complete the ridiculous workload in the seering heat, its sad to see what this job has become.

JKSmudge · Post by **JKSmudge** » 21 Jun 2017, 20:21

We are currently doing lapsing, even on Wednesday as I found out this morning. Called my line manager today to inform him that I would not complete and do the absorbtion on time. Told me to do it and I would be paid OT. I said due to the heat I did not want to stay out any longer than I have to, was told if I didn't complete then the rest of the summer I would have to work my full hours ( no going home if finishing early ).
This is the first time I have cut off since last summer, including when working with a buddy over christmas who was allowed to cut-off everyday. have done overtime many times when asked ( coming in to do prep/ covering others SAs etc ). None of that seems to matter, as soon as you say 'No' even when it's a health issue - then face the consequences.

Hope the OP has better managers, but doubt it - Welcome to RM !