I totally Agree, either way im not bothered about it so it wont really affect me when I start properly, I dont mind giving a small amount of my own time to who ever is employing me!(Obviously within reason lol)

What if your van was at the exchange and you drove to pick it up? pay shouldnt start from home but should it start at the exchange or first job?

Then you'd be a 'yard parker' a completely different arrangement, and possibly not one open to those on the new contracts.

The answer is that the current system works well. You'll very rarely be in the same place every day, so 'swings and roundabouts' means it evens out.

I used to have to give five minutes (this was the agreed time it would take to travel to the nearest exchange on my managers patch) I have now moved completely out of area, and so now have to give thirty minutes travel. I 'plug in' (pick up my first job) at 7.00 and aim to be there for 8.00. I set off sometime between 7.15 and 7.30 dependant on where I'm off to. Traffic means that I don't always get on site bang on 8.00 but it is clear I have tried (trackers on the vans if no one has told you).

At the end of day if I receive a 'ring control' message (no job that is deemed do-able within the remaining time) with less than an hour to go to my rostered finish I can choose to travel home, when I get there I knock off my 30 mins agreed travel from my time sheet. Sometimes I might get stuck on a job and work on past finish time, this adds to my flex balance ....... sometimes it becomes clear that the task cannot be finished that day for various reasons and then you retain it overnight.

This is not a role for clock watchers or those who believe that they should finish work bang on time every day. But the system works fairly well and provides flexibility for both the staff and the company at various times.

Oh, and if you absolutely cannot be late finishing on a certain day, you text a code in and work allocation will not issue work that that on paper might take you past your end of day.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

What if your van was at the exchange and you drove to pick it up? pay shouldnt start from home but should it start at the exchange or first job?

Then you'd be a 'yard parker' a completely different arrangement, and possibly not one open to those on the new contracts.

The answer is that the current system works well. You'll very rarely be in the same place every day, so 'swings and roundabouts' means it evens out.

I used to have to give five minutes (this was the agreed time it would take to travel to the nearest exchange on my managers patch) I have now moved completely out of area, and so now have to give thirty minutes travel. I 'plug in' (pick up my first job) at 7.00 and aim to be there for 8.00. I set off sometime between 7.15 and 7.30 dependant on where I'm off to. Traffic means that I don't always get on site bang on 8.00 but it is clear I have tried (trackers on the vans if no one has told you).

At the end of day if I receive a 'ring control' message (no job that is deemed do-able within the remaining time) with less than an hour to go to my rostered finish I can choose to travel home, when I get there I knock off my 30 mins agreed travel from my time sheet. Sometimes I might get stuck on a job and work on past finish time, this adds to my flex balance ....... sometimes it becomes clear that the task cannot be finished that day for various reasons and then you retain it overnight.

This is not a role for clock watchers or those who believe that they should finish work bang on time every day. But the system works fairly well and provides flexibility for both the staff and the company at various times.

Oh, and if you absolutely cannot be late finishing on a certain day, you text a code in and work allocation will not issue work that that on paper might take you past your end of day.

Is there the option of taking the extra time as paid overtime rather than flex time?

Do newbies get a brand new van when you start like a 17 plate?
also I assume it will look a little different with just the openreach branding.

No idea, I got a new one when I started, R reg it was, looked a little different too

Some do and some don't from what I've seen round here, but then they seem to get any second hand ones replaced shortly after.

I've not heard anything about logos changing yet, but doubtless they will, and on the image clothing too.

Is there the option of taking the extra time as paid overtime rather than flex time?

The system is called Flex, and has balances running from -6 hours to +6 hours, if you go above a +6 balance then yes, they will pay that as O/T.

Also if you work on over an hour after your rostered finish time then any time after the hour will be paid O/T too.

A big plus for a lot of home parkers is not having to run a 2rd car and pay for fuel.Also if van dont start / snowed in ect its not a big deal as you are at "work" sat in the van.Anyways i dont think you new guys can work as yard parkers, you "may" be able to leave the works van in a yard / exch but would still have to give travel time.

For most home parking works out ok.

Edited by MC31 (Tue 21-Mar-17 17:41:35)

Hey guys I've payed for the disclosure Scotland. I took a screen shot of the receipt when I done it.
On the receipt it has obvs a receipt no. It also has a case refrance no is that what I need to put in on the tasks or do I have to wait for the certificate to arrive? Only asking as had a reminder email today

its the case number you enter, theyve not confirmed receipt of my certificate scan

Did mine Wednesday states in the post yesterday so quick turnaround.