From full time to part time

[scoobydo79]

Please has anyone else made this move? Any regrets or put falls to watch out for? I’m thinking about it.

[clashcityrocker]

I had to do it when I transferred.
Absolutely hated being a part time reserve. All the physical stress of the job, but less social, less wages and less pension (less death in service benefit also)
Screwed over by managers. Screwed over by your full time "colleagues".

When the opportunity arose to go back to full time I didn't need to think twice.

[BenacreNick]

I spent about 13 years trying to increase from part time to full time.
Finally got there, but I had to switch to deliveries.

[fluxburner]

I've never been full time, no desire for it. Am on 30 hrs. One of the pitfalls I experience is when working on a single duty where the full timer next door preps the walk. Now, they just have to prep the mail in and this is usually done, so no complaints there.
But, you will usually find that 50% of the D.O are tying up while you will still have d2d's, packets, redirects etc to do.
It results in getting out 15-20 mins after full timers meaning taking longer than if a full timer did it, with potential complaints from management like "Well so and so gets it done on time".
I just smile, shrug my shoulders and carry on regardless. Annoys them no end.

[NWpostie]

Going to part time has its pitfalls especially pension, allowances and Christmas bonus, my general recommendation is not to do it as it would be harder to get back to full time.

[qwerty2]

Most PTs got no chance of getting FT now
Wouldnt be surprised if they made some FTs go PT or leave in the near future

[TopperGas]

How can losing pension etc be a pitfall as surely anybody considering dropping their hours realises everything else drops as well?

As the other poster suggests if you presently have a fixed duty and move to a part time reserve it's a real culture shock, with your duty even being changed whilst your prepping the walk you assumed you'd be delivering.

[Skuse]

I am lucky !! Went from 39 hours ? FT delivery to 19 hours MC processing in 2015 and went back FT in 2022 in distribution

[aiden01]

Going to part time has its pitfalls especially pension, allowances and Christmas bonus, my general recommendation is not to do it as it would be harder to get back to full time.

Christmas bonus what a loss

[roman]

Depends on your age and financial position. I went part time 2 years ago. I am 62 and now do a job share 23 hours a week. It was a bit weird doing less hours for a while but good for bones and joints . After nearly 38 years it was a blessing.

[koolishy67]

Depends on your situation but job sharing is good idea 3 days each rotation every week that's my plan

[HTPostman]

I don’t know if my experience helps. I initially did 38 hours a week, left the business, then came back years later on 25 hours but every week did full time hours, and I mean every week (apart from annual leave), I was also working my day off every single week. I was frequently doing 45 to 50 hours a week.

Then the opportunity came up for me to go on a 28 hour 4 day week and I haven’t looked back.

Let me give you a bit more of an insight. For a start, because of the holiday pay farce I refuse to do any overtime, this coincided with me moving onto the 4 day week. My income has almost halved, 50 hours to 28 hours is a big drop in money, it took me a good half a year to get used to the lower income, obviously I’ve had to lower my outgoings. Increase in bills and then the strikes hitting my pay has made things tough but again I just adapt.

With regards my pension, I countered the lower contribution by increasing my own personal contribution, I pay into double figures now instead of the usual 6% (I think most pay 6% anyway).

Health - a huge change. Less stressed, more free time, my body rarely aches, and I always know if I’m having a tough day at work either today or tomorrow is my last day before I get at least 1 day off, that’s a huge motivator.

Also, like most DOs we are woefully understaffed so I am always asked to work my day(s) off which I won’t, but at least for now that’s in the back of my mind if I really struggle financially.

Lastly I know your part time option might be 5 days (maybe coming in later to what should be a prepped round?) but if you can afford to drop your hours or get on a 4 day week I’d highly recommend it. It’s still the main factor keeping me at Royal Mail.

[Sputters]

I too have reduced my hours to 30 aweek .I feel so much better . My round is preped for me . I don't have to throw in d2ds , sort , do any lapsing or listen to all the bickering as most people are out by then .
I don't start until 9am so its pretty much tie up and go ,
at the age of 62 Best thing I have done I lose about £66 a week but worth it mentaly and physically.

[rambo1]

I too have reduced my hours to 30 aweek .I feel so much better . My round is preped for me . I don't have to throw in d2ds , sort , do any lapsing or listen to all the bickering as most people are out by then .
I don't start until 9am so its pretty much tie up and go ,
at the age of 62 Best thing I have done I lose about £66 a week but worth it mentaly and physically.

Plus 1 for that. I think if you're dropping hr to just work those hrs and no more, do it. If not, don't.

[ted_e_bear]

I too have reduced my hours to 30 aweek .I feel so much better . My round is preped for me . I don't have to throw in d2ds , sort , do any lapsing or listen to all the bickering as most people are out by then .
I don't start until 9am so its pretty much tie up and go ,
at the age of 62 Best thing I have done I lose about £66 a week but worth it mentaly and physically.

Wow that's how it should be you must have a decent manager/less selfish colleagues, our manager let's the sprinters leave early despite the 9am starters duties not being prepped anywhere near fully.