First Timer Question - Induction Day

[castra]

Hello, first timer here as you've probably worked out. Apologies in advance for any lack of forum etiquette.

So after several weeks of waiting, my CRB checks have come back fine & I've been invited to attend an induction Day at Croydon Mail Centre. Initially, I was told it would probably be Hove which isn't far from where I live, but getting to Croydon for 9am is quite do-able.

I've made an enquiry at the station & from where I live, the return to Croydon with tramlink included at that time of day comes to a hefty £55. A friend who has been a postman for about five years told me I would get travel expenses to attend the induction day. However, I've recently made a call to the recruitment centre in Sheffield who have told me, I'm responsible for getting to the Induction day at my own expense.

Are they correct? If so, I'll drive as its a fraction of the train fare. I didn't really want to as driving into that area during rush hour isn't good for the stress levels.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[fishtank]

We've had this before,seems to be a mixed bag of answers.
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=30360" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My induction day was way too long ago to remember.

[castra]

It is a mixed bag for sure?

I've spoken to the Recruitment office twice today. They are adamant I can't claim travel expense. The second person who called me to confirm my attendance said: "Its like commuting to work really". Not really, as my office is about 8 miles away & where my induction is taking place is probably closer to 80. Oh well?

I didn't want to drive, but I don't want to take the risk of being saddled with a £55 train bill when my diesel shouldn't be much more than £20 all in, give or take.

I guess I should mention it to my Manager on my first day & see what the response is?

[fb1969]

Hi

I had my induction at Croydon three weeks ago and haven't bothered to try and claim expenses (80-90 mile round trip by car) as no one offered any information on it. A bigger problem for me was getting paid for that day!

When I started on the Wednesday the sorting office assumed that that was my first day, so only started my pay from the Wednesday. At the induction day we were told to make sure we claimed 2 hours overtime and that came through in my pay in the second week. Now with my third week's pay I have finally got the pay for the induction day, it was finally put through as 6 hours overtime.

[castra]

Hi

I had my induction at Croydon three weeks ago and haven't bothered to try and claim expenses (80-90 mile round trip by car) as no one offered any information on it. A bigger problem for me was getting paid for that day!

When I started on the Wednesday the sorting office assumed that that was my first day, so only started my pay from the Wednesday. At the induction day we were told to make sure we claimed 2 hours overtime and that came through in my pay in the second week. Now with my third week's pay I have finally got the pay for the induction day, it was finally put through as 6 hours overtime.

Thanks so much for your input. You say you drove to Croydon - Is parking quite easy around the Mail Centre?

[fb1969]

I cheated and did a trial run journey a few days beforehand. In doing so I asked at the security gate about parking and, as long as your name is on their list, you can park in the mail centre car park.

I looked on street view before setting off. Come up the A23 and look for the big Sainsburys on your right with a gasometer behind it, as you pass their car park turn left at the traffic lights by a Comet store. Follow that road round and the mail centre is on the left eventually.

[kirstyx]

hope this helps i had my induction day 7 weeks ago what we were told is we needed to take any fuel reciepts or tickets to our manager the following day and we would be able to claim for any additional mileage above what our journey to our sorting office from home is. also be prepared to go out delivering the first day in your office as you will be so wear good shoes and take plasters in case of blisters good luck

[castra]

hope this helps i had my induction day 7 weeks ago what we were told is we needed to take any fuel reciepts or tickets to our manager the following day and we would be able to claim for any additional mileage above what our journey to our sorting office from home is. also be prepared to go out delivering the first day in your office as you will be so wear good shoes and take plasters in case of blisters good luck

Thanks so much for all the advice everyone. Nervous but excited at the same time. I was in the same job for 23 years before, so its all a little bit daunting starting a new job after such a long time.

I've taken a look on Google Street view & it looks fairly straightforward to find from the A23. Hopefully, I shouldn't miss Sainsburys & the gasometer?