Time to quit?

Dryfox · Post by **Dryfox** » 27 Aug 2018, 12:01

Six weeks in and I'm thinking of quitting. As a new starter, I didn't realise I would hardly ever get a Saturday off, not find out my working days until the last minute, and get put on any round in any office (some that are 25 miles away). I'm told that this could go on for years - Is this a common experience?

fishtank · Post by **fishtank** » 27 Aug 2018, 12:23

The sad truth is those things are unlikely to change for a long time if at all, some offices are run better than others but your experience seems to be more like the norm than the exception these days.

My advice would be if any other job opportunities come up outside royal mail bite their hand off but don't quit if you have nothing lined up. It's a shite state of affairs but the pay is decent and it's better than no job...just about.

Ignore the advice to man up, grow a pair and complain to the union rep. If your office treats new starts that badly it's unlikely there's anyone in there worth wasting your energy on.

Post by **fb1969** » 27 Aug 2018, 12:36

Dryfox wrote: not find out my working days until the last minute, and get put on any round in any office (some that are 25 miles away

On the whole I am with fishtank about the reality of working at RM.

But regarding the bit I have quoted above, make sure things are being done correctly about travelling to other offices. RM should transport you to the other offices AFTER you have reported to your own office at your contracted start time. And RM should transport you back to your own office to finish at your contracted finish time. As you are saying up to 25 miles away I am guessing that you are getting yourself there and back, and working your contracted hours while you are there - that should not be happening. Check for threads in 'blue shirts' or 'union room'.

Dryfox · Post by **Dryfox** » 27 Aug 2018, 15:28

Many thanks for the replies and appreciate the advice given. Very sad if this is the norm - surely new starters don't last long if they can find employment elsewhere?

Post by **fb1969** » 27 Aug 2018, 17:47

There are good and bad offices, though reading this board it seems most aren't good.

RM don't care. If you go they'll just re-advertise the job and in the meantime mail may not go out every day, they are simply not bothered!

If my guess was right about how you are getting to the other offices you need to sort that out - see the other boards as I mentioned. If they realise you won't just go to other offices things may improve for you. You should average one in six Saturdays off, though it doesn't have to be one every six weeks. If you get one in the next week or so, then another soon after you'll have had two in twelve weeks - not brilliant but it averages one in six.

Try and stick with it after standing your ground on the other office issue, but look for other things at the same time. Good luck either way.

Dryfox · Post by **Dryfox** » 27 Aug 2018, 19:21

Thank you - will take up the issue about being sent to other offices when I'm next in. Regarding Saturdays off, everyone I've spoken to said the average for a reserve is around 3 a year! How is this allowed when those on rounds get 1 in 4 off? Total inequality!

Post by **fb1969** » 28 Aug 2018, 14:26

It isn't fair and it should not be happening.

Are you in the union, do you know who the rep is? (if they are like our rep I can understand that you wouldn't want to bother!!).

Have a search on the other boards, someone did post once what the actual agreement is - but essentially everyone should (must) be treated the same.

Hope you at least get the other office travel sorted, or stopped.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 28 Aug 2018, 14:57

Drum roll please

POSTMAN wrote:
BT2010 wrote:Whilst the precise number of Saturdays off and the aspirations of employees will vary from unit to unit, both parties believe we can deliver cost effective and reliable options that will maximise the number of Saturdays off for those who wish them. Royal Mail and CWU commit to achieving at least 1 in 4 Saturdays off for the majority of employees (including reserves) during the roll out of the operational transformation programme. In some circumstances this may be exceeded utilising jointly identified options to provide 1 Saturday off in 2 or 3.
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 50#p253163" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=24848" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **fb1969** » 28 Aug 2018, 16:05

Thanks TBT

Dryfox · Post by **Dryfox** » 28 Aug 2018, 18:47

Thank you. The linked agreements between RM & CWU certainly don't happen for the reserves in our office. I am in the union, but our rep is one of the seniors there so I doubt that anything will ever change.

Feel so disappointed that what should be a good job is ruined by bad organisation and a complete unfairness to new starters.

I think it's time to look elsewhere.