RM and CWU Joint Statement Covering Scanning Away from Location on Collection
Dear Colleagues,
Following trials in the Anglia division for enhanced PDA features using location information to prompt users to sense check the scan location when on collection, we have agreed a joint communication with Royal Mail covering this process, as the business seek to reduce scanning in the wrong location.
The enhanced feature issues a notification to the user when they attempt to scan a COLLOD or collection point barcode whilst the PDA location is away from the registered location by more than 100 meters. The notification says ‘You are scanning in the wrong location, do you want to proceed?’ giving the user an option to select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
It is recognised that there might be differing reasons for the notification appearing, for example GPS issues or the collection point being recorded incorrectly in Route Manager, which should be corrected as this is highlighted. It is also recognised that this could occur as a result of staff knowingly scanning away from the location i.e. from a photo of the barcode on their mobile phone. CWU and the business are aware that this is not solely proportioned to OPG grade.
We trialled this update in Norwich DO and the Collections Hub at Norwich MC with an agreed amnesty on conduct. There were no issues during the trial from management or CWU representatives and any base data anomalies were corrected as a result of the trial.
The trial was then expanded to the wider Anglia division and due to increased visibility, we have received reports from management regarding staff scanning away from location, which could have resulted in conduct without the amnesty in place.
The joint aim is to see improved quality as a result of the new feature. Protection of a further National amnesty period for additional 3 months will be in place to reduce the potential for conduct cases going forward, with the focus being on coaching rather than conduct. This is captured in the joint statement and Royal Mail are now looking to deploy this upgrade nationally on Monday, 11th May.
In addition, the business has agreed that all required training and coaching will be given by Workplace Coaches to support OPGs as required, with all data on the deployment of Collection Proximity feature to be regularly shared with the National Collections JWG.
Any enquiries to the content of this LTB should be directed to the Outdoor Department, email address: Pharacz@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary
LTB 125/26 – JS Scanning Away from Location on Collection
Scanning away from Location agreement
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
Leave a comment