New(ish) recruit seeking advice on 30 hr contract

[runner52]

Hi everyone. I started in delivery South London back in July last year, a couple of months after the revision. I'm on a 30 hour contract and provide cover so I'm getting to know all the frames and paired walks. I start at 08.00, finish at 14.00 and am supposed to take a 30 minute break at 08.50, when the 6.30 starters come back from their 40 minute break (although not all of them take it)

I've never taken the break because there simply isn't time in practice. Lots of reasons eg frame hardly prepped sometimes when I arrive, particularly on Wed/Thur; 08.50 is a crucial time for tieing up; 6.30 starter I'm paired with that day eager to get out quickly and finish as early as possible. Starting at 08.00 I feel that you are always playing catch-up.

In any event, I don't think it makes sense to be taking a break 50 minutes after you start work. But there isn't really any sensible time that a break can be taken on a 08.00 start. The whole thing just doesn't seem to have been thought through properly.

In practice, the 6.30 starter I'm paired with on any given day calls the shots. As I believe it's important to get on well with your partner and, as a fairly new boy, I feel as if I just have to accept the situation. Also, there are only a few of us on 30 hour contracts so I don't think we are seen as a priority.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Grateful also for any advice more experienced colleagues can offer.

[Sidley]

Take your break, it's yours its part of your working day not a gift of 30 minutes free work for RM.
There IS time for your break but maybe not enough for all the rest of the other s**t. If your frame isn't prepped, inform the managers, its their job to see it gets done, for all you know it could be some lazy twat runner who's not completing his workload to enable himself to finish early and taking the time off your day.
Whatever your partner wants shouldn't impact on you to such an extent that you are not taking breaks. Let him finish at his scheduled time like he's supposed to and tell him to do one otherwise. The more of a soft touch you appear the more you may have the piss taken out of you.
If you are happy to be dictated to by some twat who probably just wants an extra half an hour on the settee fiddling with himself before his missus gets home be my guest.

[Sidley]

Sorry, that all reads harsher than I intended.

It's a bit daunting being the new boy but speak up, stand your ground and it'll get easier and suddenly you won't feel your playing catch up all the time.

[runner52]

Thanks for this. Should have mentioned that managers are aware of the issue but don't seem inclined to do anything about it. I've discussed it with the union rep too who is struggling to make headway with various different problems. It's up to me to decide whether I take it further

[SP115]

If you are happy to be dictated to by some twat who probably just wants an extra half an hour on the settee fiddling with himself before his missus gets home be my guest.

Can you not say to your manager about the lack of time and ask to start at 7 everyday and claim an hour OT? A guy I know on 30 hrs does this everyday.

[Sidley]

They won't be inclined to do anything about it if they do nothing and you remedy the problem by working extra for free I'm afraid. Ask your rep if he wouldn't mind you going to the area rep as he is so busy. He either won't a mind the problem being taken out of his hands or might find the time to fight your corner.
There is a cutting off procedure. Tell the knackers in charge on your arrival as to the state of prep on your frame if it is not up to snuff.
Then inform them you don't believe you will be able to finish your duty as it isn't fully prepped. If you want the o/t if it is offered by all means do it but with a partner who wants to finish early that could be difficult with access to the van, carrying extra loops etc.
If you are not interested in the o/t, ask them what they propose to do about it. Their job is to manage, they get paid a damn sight more than they're worth for doing it so drop the mess in their lap and leave them to it.
Keep your rep informed and a note of anything that the bosses do or say that is untoward like veiled threats, disparaging remarks, bullshit misuse of procedures. Etc.

Let us know how you're getting on.
S.

[runner52]

Thanks. will do

[runner52]

Thanks. Hope this is a reply to SP115 - I haven't quite got the hang of replying to different threads!

Yes that happens occasionally when 8.00am starters are put on one of the longer paired walks which pay o/t as a matter of course. However they now tell us that, across the board, o/t will have to be reduced because of budget constraints.