This was my first full week by myself as a new RCA. Today, nearing the end of my route my scanner decided to quit working. I delivered 3 parcels without scanning them. I did not know not to do this!! I told my supervisor when I got back and she pretty much told me I’m gonna be in big trouble. How is this going to play out ?
OH NO!
- Thread starter Snooze024
- Start date
You were not trained on what to do when their faulty equipment broke down.
You are in no way responsible.
You are not required to take pictures, the USPS isn't paying your phone bill.
I'm sorry they're giving you grief. That is unprofessional.
They do not appreciate your efforts.
Please be advised that when your probationary period is over, it is easy to transfer to another office.
(Just something to keep up your sleeve.)
You are in no way responsible.
You are not required to take pictures, the USPS isn't paying your phone bill.
I'm sorry they're giving you grief. That is unprofessional.
They do not appreciate your efforts.
Please be advised that when your probationary period is over, it is easy to transfer to another office.
(Just something to keep up your sleeve.)
No one ever mentioned what to do if your scanner stops working, not even during orientation or academy. There is a lot I feel like you have to figure out on your own, or learning from your mistakes. I’m getting there ??
Postal-xam@58
Well-known member
We have all been there. I have written the numbers down and put in when I got back to office. Your supervisor should work with you and tell you what they expect in a similar situation. If they call you in office to discuss it, take your office steward with you.
Snooze024 -- "This was my first full week by myself as a new RCA. Today, nearing the end of my route my scanner decided to quit working. I delivered 3 parcels without scanning them. I did not know not to do this!!"
-- Congratulations on being on your own. Hang in there as there will be worst days ( and better ones ) ahead.
-- There are a few options should the scanner die again:
- ask manglement why you were not taught what to do in that situation
- write down or take a picture of any bar code numbers which can be entered later on a working scanner
- ask manglement how to reboot the scanner as well as how to change the battery ( don't be surprised if they don't know )
- ask manglement for a spare battery next time you leave for the route
- drive back to the office for a new battery ( log the time and distance )
- call manglement from your cell phone ( last and worst option )
" I told my supervisor when I got back and she pretty much told me I’m gonna be in big trouble."
-- If "invited" to the office to discuss your short coming, ask for the office steward or if none, ask for the Assistant District Representative.
-- If presented with a LOW ( Letter of Warning ) as a form of "discipline", ask the office steward or a regular carrier how to file out a grievance ( something done for ANY discipline ).
-- More than likely the supervisor needs you more than you need the supervisor.
-- Good luck and stay positive.
-- Congratulations on being on your own. Hang in there as there will be worst days ( and better ones ) ahead.
-- There are a few options should the scanner die again:
- ask manglement why you were not taught what to do in that situation
- write down or take a picture of any bar code numbers which can be entered later on a working scanner
- ask manglement how to reboot the scanner as well as how to change the battery ( don't be surprised if they don't know )
- ask manglement for a spare battery next time you leave for the route
- drive back to the office for a new battery ( log the time and distance )
- call manglement from your cell phone ( last and worst option )
" I told my supervisor when I got back and she pretty much told me I’m gonna be in big trouble."
-- If "invited" to the office to discuss your short coming, ask for the office steward or if none, ask for the Assistant District Representative.
-- If presented with a LOW ( Letter of Warning ) as a form of "discipline", ask the office steward or a regular carrier how to file out a grievance ( something done for ANY discipline ).
-- More than likely the supervisor needs you more than you need the supervisor.
-- Good luck and stay positive.
Windindaface
Well-known member
The bottom line in this instance is they are responsible to provide you with fully functionable equipment. If they advise you next time it happens to take pics with your phone and scan when you return, do not do it with you logged onto that scanner. They do not pay for your phone and the scan ping will show office location as delivery point of item if customer complains of not getting item. If they suggest you write #s down time it for pay and let them log onto the scanner for this.
Depending where I am on the route when this happens (mine freezes due to temps) I either stop delivering and call the office and sit, wait and time (for pay) while they run one out or return to the office noting mileage to grab another one (for pay) and continue on my way.
You told your Tardovisor about this. They threatened you because you tossed more work upon them. The more work by them is for them to dig up your missed scans and enter delivered after you cradle the scanner. 5 min tops of their time. Make them responsible for the no ping point if a complaint is made by the customer.
If you want to poke a little... Ask when a new rechargeable battery was installed in the scanner? At my office all in use scanner batteries are dated and swapped out every 2 years.
Depending where I am on the route when this happens (mine freezes due to temps) I either stop delivering and call the office and sit, wait and time (for pay) while they run one out or return to the office noting mileage to grab another one (for pay) and continue on my way.
You told your Tardovisor about this. They threatened you because you tossed more work upon them. The more work by them is for them to dig up your missed scans and enter delivered after you cradle the scanner. 5 min tops of their time. Make them responsible for the no ping point if a complaint is made by the customer.
If you want to poke a little... Ask when a new rechargeable battery was installed in the scanner? At my office all in use scanner batteries are dated and swapped out every 2 years.
Fully agree, that's why I only take office calls on the road when I feel like it... but, (taking a picture) it's a lot easier than writing the number down, so laziness usually wins out I'd think.
As an aside, I haven't had a scanner die on me since when I first started. It was on Amazon Sunday, and I went ahead and delivered my last few stops without a scan...I however, wasn't given a hard time.
Sandygirl
Well-known member
you should be forgiven for this and many mistakes you gonna make, why shouldn't you? You don't know to ask the question till after you made the mistake. You can take the battery out to reboot it. Also when trying to remove the battery you will feel like you need to pull the tab up to release but you actually push it down. I have learned so, so much by doing something wrong..... then chalk that one up wont do that again...
Itstillfun
Well-known member
Stand by your humanity and keep learning.
SNOOZE------------When this happens again to you, and it will , just hold the escape button AND the ctr/alt button down at the same time. The scanner will make a bunch of clicks until it finally totally shuts down and then sets itself up again (reboot). Yes, you'll have to scan your badge again but after that you'll be fine. This has NOTHING at all to do with you being new.
Haychica
Well-known member
B.s....it happens to me a lot...I didn't scan my last 10 yesterday..I would've missed the truck
I hate it when they try to bully you guys..all they have to do is override them..my super does it and it can be done...either your super doesn't know or they're b.s. you.
Haychica
Well-known member
Nope..not mine...only thing that works is to take the battery out and put it back in and restart but then you have to have ur barcode with you and it takes about 5 minutes.
Haychica
Well-known member
That's what I did
Rt2mailman
Well-known member
If your manager was any good at all, he could have punched in the #' s from the addresses that you missed. It's done everyday in our office.
The OP is a brand new RCA.
I don't believe they can use the grievance process at this time.
I would certainly enlist steward support.?
Sounds like, for some reason, this manager was lazy or incompetent.
It's almost as if they were trying to keep the new hire under their thumb.
Shame.
I don't believe they can use the grievance process at this time.
I would certainly enlist steward support.?
Sounds like, for some reason, this manager was lazy or incompetent.
It's almost as if they were trying to keep the new hire under their thumb.
Shame.
Sometimes the first reboot method works.
Sometimes I progress to the battery method.
Our office has extra batteries available for us to take with us.
Whatever you decide to do, if you are being paid evaluated time, this rebooting fiasco is extra pay.
(As a sub, if you're over 40 hours for the week, then you're already being compensated.)
I've discovered management will always try to get you to do as much of their work as possible.
They could have fixed it right away from the office's morning scan data, and informed you how to handle it if it happens again. (They are not that professional.)
You deserve better treatment, especially since you are in the whirlwind that is the newly hired craft employee experience at the USPS.
Wishing you the best work environment possible!
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