A career as a signaller

[nom de guerre]

Yup.

The roster when seven consecutive earlies isn't the worst part!

 

[Tom Quinne]

8hr Roster is bad enough, let alone 12s on the weekends.

I’ve managed to take 4 weeks off AL for next year using only a handful of AL days, leaving my actual AL on top.

12hrs rock.

 

[Danc87]

Yup.

The roster when seven consecutive earlies isn't the worst part!

Ouch not sure that's for me 12 hours for me not sure I could handle that much travelling and possibly not gonna make my family happy

 

[Southernsig]

The last 8hr single-manned roster I worked:

Su M T W Th F S

OFF RD RD L L L L
N N N N N N N
OFF L L RD RD E E
E E E E E RD RD

E(arlies)
L(ates)
N(ights)

Don't miss that beast one bit. Soul destroying!

 

[Danc87]

8hr Roster is bad enough, let alone 12s on the weekends.

I’ve managed to take 4 weeks off AL for next year using only a handful of AL days, leaving my actual AL on top.

12hrs rock.

Yeah think gonna pull out of the 8hour one I applied for it will be to much I'll be away from home to much! Didn't think many do 8hour rosters anymore especially in london

 

[Narom]

Maybe worth going in for an 8 hours just to get access to the internal job list.

 

[Highlandspring]

Didn't think many do 8hour rosters anymore especially in london

Loads of places do 8s.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Maybe worth going in for an 8 hours just to get access to the internal job list.

Yes, definitely. Get a post then look for your ideal once your in, it’s much easier.

 

[JJP]

Evening all,

Been flicking through this thread for a while now, however, first time posting tonight.

I currently work for Network Rail on the engineering side of the organisation, however, I have always had a strong interest in the Operations and Signaller roles. There seems to be quite a few York ROC / IECC vacancies on the internal list (Grades 3, 6, 7, 9) and I'm going to give it a shot.

I was wondering if the grade 6, 7, and 9 jobs are being advertised internal only, does this mean they are intended for employees already in Signaller roles looking to take on a higher grade?

Not sure if I'd get them without working my way up, although I do have experience in operating a Shunters panel on a busy depot and currently work in signalling engineering.

Cheers for your help!

 

[Tom Quinne]

I’ve seen them on the internal list, they’ll be sort after no doubt.

Not being in grade isn’t a barrier to going straight into a high grade, the only barrier would be that you’d need to complete school unlike a in grade applicant.

I’d say whack in an app and see what happens.

 

[JJP]

I’ve seen them on the internal list, they’ll be sort after no doubt.

Not being in grade isn’t a barrier to going straight into a high grade, the only barrier would be that you’d need to complete school unlike a in grade applicant.

I’d say whack in an app and see what happens.

Yeah that's the catch with me I'd have to go away for a few months first.
Suppose the worst that can happen is a 'no'!

 

[Tom Quinne]

Unless you apply you’ll never know, go for it mate !

 

[choochoobacca]

Are most 8 hr rostas similar to the one discussed above? Seems a little negativity around the 8hr patterns..
Is anybody able to provide an example of an 8 hr rosta with 12hr Sunday’s?

 

[nom de guerre]

The example posted above is for an 8hr roster with 12hr Sundays (at a single manned box).

Equivalent rosters at larger boxes tend to be better, with meal breaks and (whisper it) various fiddles.

I wouldn’t worry too much. Ultimately, it’s better to get your foot in the door, regardless of the roster.

 

[Danc87]

Yes, definitely. Get a post then look for your ideal once your in, it’s much easier.

how lonf you need to be to be in your current role before you can apply for a new post

 

[Danc87]

The example posted above is for an 8hr roster with 12hr Sundays (at a single manned box).

Equivalent rosters at larger boxes tend to be better, with meal breaks and (whisper it) various fiddles.

I wouldn’t worry too much. Ultimately, it’s better to get your foot in the door, regardless of the roster.

the one im reffering to is the willesdon south post that ive applied for!

 

[Danc87]

anyone know much about the reigate post shift patterns and how busy please

 

[gareth386]

Anyone have an 8 hour shift pattern they can post trying to work out how much time I'll have off with family as I'd have to commute

Here's my 8 hr roster, 12 hour Sundays. As rosters go it sucks but its a job and we're hopeful that we'll go to a 12hr roster next year

 

[gareth386]

how lonf you need to be to be in your current role before you can apply for a new post

It's meant to be a year but is dependant on business needs

 

[Amack92]

Here's my 8 hr roster, 12 hour Sundays. As rosters go it sucks but its a job and we're hopeful that we'll go to a 12hr roster next year

How does it work with pay for working nights and weekends, are you compensated well?

 

[gareth386]

How does it work with pay for working nights and weekends, are you compensated well?

Pay obviously depends on what grade you are, my box is a grade 3. I think the money is good, don't get me wrong, it's not amazing but if you want the big bucks you need to be grade 7+ or get a relief job. At the moment it suits me with location and being a resident I know what I'm working to sort out child care etc

 

[Amack92]

Pay obviously depends on what grade you are, my box is a grade 3. I think the money is good, don't get me wrong, it's not amazing but if you want the big bucks you need to be grade 7+ or get a relief job. At the moment it suits me with location and being a resident I know what I'm working to sort out child care etc

Yeah i guess you know where you stand with what you will be working the next 8 weeks, im in the same boat. I have applied for a grade 3 role, passed the tests just waiting to hear back. Just trying to work out what an average monthly salary may be near with, working nights and potential weekends. I read that its 10% for nights and 10% for weekends. And Sundays arent rostered in either, so it goes down as overtime whether thats right not to sure.

 

[Sunset route]

Are most 8 hr rostas similar to the one discussed above? Seems a little negativity around the 8hr patterns..
Is anybody able to provide an example of an 8 hr rosta with 12hr Sunday’s?

Most single staffed signalling locations will be similar, but in larger multi panel/workstation environments the rosters will be vastly different and designed to meet the needs better.

 

[Qball]

Got interview next week is it just the 8 non technical skills amd few questions about the job. Is there anything else that I should be prepared for?

 

[Sunset route]

Equivalent rosters at larger boxes tend to be better, with meal breaks and (whisper it) various fiddles

Fiddles, FIDDLES! Wash your mouth out dear chap lol. We got all our mutual agreements signed off by management so they are part of any roster agreement which does away any possible unauthorised fiddles and works much better.

 

[Danc87]

Here's my 8 hr roster, 12 hour Sundays. As rosters go it sucks but its a job and we're hopeful that we'll go to a 12hr roster next year

wow so like 2 full weekends off in 8 weeks! how much annual leave do u get?

 

[Sunset route]

wow so like 2 full weekends off in 8 weeks! how much annual leave do u get?

On an 8hr roster 25 days for the first 10 years increasing to 27 days after that, plus up to 8 comp leave days as well.

 

[Narom]

Got interview next week is it just the 8 non technical skills amd few questions about the job. Is there anything else that I should be prepared for?

Learn the network rail taglines regarding safety and why they are what they are.

 

[nikibee]

Hey all, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has given advice and information here. It was really very helpful.

I was offered a grade 3 job yesterday although there are 4 possible boxes for me to go to at the moment.

Super excited to start and leave the world of retail!

 

[Amack92]

Hey all, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has given advice and information here. It was really very helpful.

I was offered a grade 3 job yesterday although there are 4 possible boxes for me to go to at the moment.

Super excited to start and leave the world of retail!

Congratulations, well chuffed for you. Where abouts did you apply for?