Some OT is available helping on stations, you're not getting anywhere near 60 hours a week though. You can ask for more details if you get to interview.I've just applied for revenue protection officer at the underground. Does anybody know what overtime potentials there are as my target would be at doing about 60 hours a week.
Also does the advertised hours of 38 include lunch break?
hello! i was also told exactly this after my sbi last week but i emailed HVC and asked if i wait for the offer email before sending my id docs and they said (not word for word) 'we don't normally tell people on the day if they're successful. please wait for your outcome email' so i guess I'll wait patientlyWhere did you do yours, I was told verbally that i was successful and then advised to send my id documents to an email address
It's a waiting game now, u are sure you will get but when?hello! i was also told exactly this after my sbi last week but i emailed HVC and asked if i wait for the offer email before sending my id docs and they said (not word for word) 'we don't normally tell people on the day if they're successful. please wait for your outcome email' so i guess I'll wait patiently
In theory you’ll receive it on your first day of training but there have been some delays. You’ll definitely have it before you go out onto stations as it is part of your gateline equipment.Can someone please tell me when we would receive the oyster card.. will I be an able to use it during training as well or is it only when I start my shifts? M asking bcs I would be travelling everyday from Chelmsford to Ashfield for the 4 weeks period as I can only relocate after knowing my station area. Thanks
I've just applied for revenue protection officer at the underground. Does anybody know what overtime potentials there are as my target would be at doing about 60 hours a week.
Also does the advertised hours of 38 include lunch break?
Is there a high turn over annually in the CSA1 & 2 jobs due to the "extreme shifts/shift patterns"Some OT is available helping on stations, you're not getting anywhere near 60 hours a week though. You can ask for more details if you get to interview.
A working week is a rostered as 37.5 hours, not including meal breaks. Shifts are 8 hours long including breaks, you get paid for your contracted hours of 35 hours a week and get the extra hours back as extra leave. It's a bit of a complicated system to explain but it works for most people across the underground. PM me if you like, unless that's against forum rules or something.
Essentially the working pay/conditions are exactly the same as CSA1 but with less extreme shifts and a better shift pattern generally.
Not sure I follow your maths. How does 60 hours a week turn into 100?A week? Are you sure - that would be 100h weeks out of 168 possible hours. Doesn’t seem right!
Is this the case?Is there a high turn over annually in the CSA1 & 2 jobs due to the "extreme shifts/shift patterns"
Not sure I follow your maths. How does 60 hours a week turn into 100?
Effectively, there is only one choice for CSAs, RMT.
Union membership is not compulsory, but I would advise it.
...can you elaborate on 'all the other opportunities'?
Hello , just curious
I live in Leagrave after Luton and use the Thameslink service. how does the season ticket work ? Do I pay from Luton up To boundary zone 6 ? And can I get a season ticket loan from TfL as well?
Thanks
This covers off most of it, but the season ticket rules are quite complex and the specifics depend on which operator you are travelling with, whether you want to take advantage of a 75% discount or privilege rate and whether you want to incur additional tax liability. @Mawkie is correct in all of what they say, but if there are any specific routes/locations I'd be happy to offer specific advice - it's going to be easier and less confusing than generalising.TfL staff passes are only valid on Thameslink from Kentish Town through to Elephant and Castle and London Bridge.
So you would buy a season ticket from your departure station (Luton/Leagrave?) to Kentish Town (and use your staff pass to exit the barriers at eg King's Cross, Farringdon, Blackfriars, etc).
There is a 75% discount on annual season tickets only (not single/weekly/monthly tickets).
[Edit: I'm reminded that TfL now offer 75% reimbursement on a flexible season ticket - which allows 8 days of travel within a 28 day period - ideal for 2 days a week.]
FOI on staff pass use and availability here.
(I'm not knowledgeable enough about season ticket loans other than to say TfL do operate a scheme, however I think they are taxable, and with Thameslink you can avoid the benefit in kind tax by buying the season ticket direct without a loan. Hopefully someone will know more than me.)
As long as you pay attention, do the homework and apply yourself you shouldn't have any trouble. The ticketing rules can be a bit fiddly, but also there will be plenty of people able to help. Ask as many questions as you like - ultimately your trainers are there to help you. Most importantly, remember that safety always comes first.What's the training like? Is it difficult?
Should be day 1 of training, but if not certainly within the first week.When do you know what station you will be and do you have a choice. Start training in 2 weeks
Yes. Two weeks Ashfield House training and then moving to 'live learning' on your station. This happens slightly differently on every Area so is quite hard to give specific details of how that element is structured, but expect to cover all the relevant stations on the Area to get familiarised.First two weeks Training is at Ashfield, then 3rd week shadowing at your station and 4th week, Training is at Ashfield again.
Edit: Actually I was just told in the class that we don't do training anymore on 4th week. So it's just first two weeks. And then your station permanently.
First week CSA2 training and second week CSA1 training.
Generally new starters will be allocated 'Gateway' stations, which are generally in Zones 1 and 2 (with some exceptions such as Heathrow) and 'Destination' stations. These stations often do have the highest turnover of staff as very few will nominate to transfer into these stations, and most will transfer out. As a new joiner you'll definitely want a busy station - it's a great way to hone your skills and learn your trade.What I have realised is, as a CSA2 starter, you will get mostly zone 1 stations and zone 2 that are big and established. For example, Waterloo, Liverpool Street Station or something like that. A few people got like Canary Wharf and Heathrow and they all live close by or max 45 minutes travel time. Out of 30 people in my batch, only couple of us wanted to swap but rest were happy with the stations they are allocated. I wanted to swap as well, not because of travel time (30 minutes door to door), but it's located near Soho and Trafalgar Square, imagine all those tourists with ticketing issues and drunk people on Friday and Saturday. That's just me! But work is work.
You are able to swap with your fellow colleagues and they give you three days to swap. We were given allocation on Day 1 and we had chance to swap by Day 3, but then again you won't have much room to swap because most stations are in Zone 1, so who are you going to swap with? People will offer you Embankment, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court and so on. They are like literally a few minutes apart. Those lucky to get Zone 2's won't swap, with someone who got Zone 1. But all in all, 95% were happy with their allocated stations.
After your 6 month probation, you are able to nominate a station and when spaces become available, you can move, as explained by @bluegoblin7
Yes, exactly this. You should be able to swap amongst other classes that start on the same day, but you won't be able to swap with anyone on a different course/start date. Genuinely don't read too much into the stations that you get though - every station has its challenges and foibles, and in almost all cases you'll be able to find a compromise that works for you, once fully qualified, if there are travel challenges. All that said: you (generic) have applied for a job where 'working anywhere on the LU network' is very clearly stated in the job application and all documentation there after. If this isn't something that works for you, then this job isn't for you. Whilst nominating to a new station at the same grade is possible, any promotional transfers will be by the same standard of getting sent anywhere on the network. It's a way of LUL life and you'll soon get used to it.So from my understanding you can only swap within the class you are in. If there is multiple classes, for example there was 1 other class with my class, you can see if someone want to swap from the other classes with you only after trying to 1st swap within your class.
You should get at least the Saturday after your Ashfield House training off, but otherwise you're straight into shift work. Accommodations will be made when they can be for anything pre-booked, but there are reasons why I and others have advocated having an empty diary for your first 28 days or so.Hi, do you start right the next day after your training ends??
Part time training is exactly the same as full time training, and is stated in the job advert. The part time element only kicks in once you are qualified.Does anyone know if the part time training is the same? I.e is it 2 weeks in the classroom and then 2 weeks full time in a station? Or just 2 weeks in the classroom and straight into part time at your station.
Yes.Do CSA get any weekends off
As a general addition to this, please do learn how to search a thread: you won't get spoon-fed all the info once you're on the job, and understanding things like rosters is a fairly important part of that.I guess after 800+ posts there are no new questions...
I posted a link to some example rosters less than 1 month ago. Have a search.
Sorry what does 'relief' mean?
<snip>
1) I have 3 planned holidays from a short weekend to 2 full weeks- I presume that I'm not guaranteed to take these- even though I booked them before i knew i got the job.
I've just applied for revenue protection officer at the underground. Does anybody know what overtime potentials there are as my target would be at doing about 60 hours a week.
Also does the advertised hours of 38 include lunch break?
Just curious do anyone have a list of the cover group stations in zone 1, like the list of stations you have to cover in a group in a zone 1. Someone here mentioned that 99 out of 100, you get allocated to a zone 1 station. Reason I am asking is to look at the rosters and see just incase I need to swap on training day
Thanks for the reply. I wouldn’t use it on Greater Anglia services but it would help my travel from Stratford to Ashfield house. It’s a bit expensive otherwise. Thank you for the info.
Is there a high turn over annually in the CSA1 & 2 jobs due to the "extreme shifts/shift patterns"
Blue Goblin, may I take this opportunity to thank you for all your input to all the candidates and delegates waiting to start or who are just about to start their training courses. The information that you have shared has been priceless. Personally I can't wait to start at some point in the future on a night tube training course. Thank you.Apolgogs for only answering some specific questions recently, I've been a bit snowed under. I think most things were already covered, but here's a bit of a round-up of recent posts - better to cover things twice than not at all!
Second this. As I've said previously on this thread, joining a Union is like taking out an insurance policy against your job, but there are also plenty more benefits that may not seem immediately apparent. You'll get a visit from a Senior Stations Rep during your training to give you more info, but I'm also more than happy to answer any queries or offer advice etc. as a Senior Service Control Rep. My DMs are open if it's preferred to be in private.
Train Operator, Service Control, Station Supervisor etc. - there are literally hundreds of grades across the Combine that never see external recruitment. Use CSA as a catalyst to moving forwards and upwards - there will absolutely be something up your street (I am of course biased but I'd always advocate the Service Control route )
This covers off most of it, but the season ticket rules are quite complex and the specifics depend on which operator you are travelling with, whether you want to take advantage of a 75% discount or privilege rate and whether you want to incur additional tax liability. @Mawkie is correct in all of what they say, but if there are any specific routes/locations I'd be happy to offer specific advice - it's going to be easier and less confusing than generalising.
Certainly for @kinkywinpat the best option is to get a privilege rate season ticket from GTR once you've joined - the forms are on the Intranet - as this will work out best value for money. A tax-free loan would be available to cover the cost of this if necessary, with repayments made via your wages, although it is unlikely to be needed. As mentioned, this is available only for annual season tickets.
The flexible season ticket reimbursement is generally not suitable for operational staff, and in any rate is a taxable benefit in kind.
As long as you pay attention, do the homework and apply yourself you shouldn't have any trouble. The ticketing rules can be a bit fiddly, but also there will be plenty of people able to help. Ask as many questions as you like - ultimately your trainers are there to help you. Most importantly, remember that safety always comes first.
Should be day 1 of training, but if not certainly within the first week.
Yes. Two weeks Ashfield House training and then moving to 'live learning' on your station. This happens slightly differently on every Area so is quite hard to give specific details of how that element is structured, but expect to cover all the relevant stations on the Area to get familiarised.
Generally new starters will be allocated 'Gateway' stations, which are generally in Zones 1 and 2 (with some exceptions such as Heathrow) and 'Destination' stations. These stations often do have the highest turnover of staff as very few will nominate to transfer into these stations, and most will transfer out. As a new joiner you'll definitely want a busy station - it's a great way to hone your skills and learn your trade.
Yes, exactly this. You should be able to swap amongst other classes that start on the same day, but you won't be able to swap with anyone on a different course/start date. Genuinely don't read too much into the stations that you get though - every station has its challenges and foibles, and in almost all cases you'll be able to find a compromise that works for you, once fully qualified, if there are travel challenges. All that said: you (generic) have applied for a job where 'working anywhere on the LU network' is very clearly stated in the job application and all documentation there after. If this isn't something that works for you, then this job isn't for you. Whilst nominating to a new station at the same grade is possible, any promotional transfers will be by the same standard of getting sent anywhere on the network. It's a way of LUL life and you'll soon get used to it.
You should get at least the Saturday after your Ashfield House training off, but otherwise you're straight into shift work. Accommodations will be made when they can be for anything pre-booked, but there are reasons why I and others have advocated having an empty diary for your first 28 days or so.
Part time training is exactly the same as full time training, and is stated in the job advert. The part time element only kicks in once you are qualified.
Yes.
As a general addition to this, please do learn how to search a thread: you won't get spoon-fed all the info once you're on the job, and understanding things like rosters is a fairly important part of that.
Relief generally refers to 'Meal Relief' but can be used as meaning 'Cover', i.e. on other stations/groups. I haven't looked at the stations rosters in any detail (it doesn't bear much relevance to most on these threads in my opinion, to be honest) but would suspect it to be the former.
If you've alerted HR to any pre-booked holidays at the earliest opportunity these will generally be honoured as long as they don't fall during your Ashfield House training. As a general rule, you can't take any leave during any training on any part of LU.
You'd be best off starting a new thread for any Revenue-specific questions. I'm happy to answer things there, but won't here as it doesn't have the same relevance. It's also worth noting that both LU and TfL have RCOs, and they are not the same contracts. Any advice for LU would not necessarily apply to TfL and vice-versa.
This is of no benefit to you. Most of the rosters are similar, and you won't have any control over where you get placed on that roster regardless of the station you get. Pretty much all CSA locations have similar start/finish times and rotations.
Yes, understandable. Probably worth getting a Chelmsford outboundary-Travelcard on your first day and going from there. It should be on day 1 but the process has slowed slightly post-Covid.
Yes, there is a high turn over, no, it is not due to the "extreme shifts/shift patterns" - staff move on to other locations or jobs, or retire. If you're not prepared to start as early as 0430 and finish as late as 0130 then this isn't the job for you. All operational jobs have an element of "extreme" shifts, and most above CSA also have a night turn element.
Personally, I loved a regular 0115 finish and would always manage to swap away other shifts to work a fairly reliable 1715-0115 turn. In my current grade I am still able to swap away most of my earlies (0700 book-on up to two hours from my home).
The recruitment team has begun the process for my preferred part-time position (evenings anytime between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., 4 hours per day, 20 hours per week) due to the delays with the Night Tube vacancies until mid-2024. They've started on my references, but there's an issue.This is great news, good to see the telephony system updated - was a pain before.
Feel free to DM me, as we’re in the same boat!
Absolutely priceless information!! Also a thank you from me !Blue Goblin, may I take this opportunity to thank you for all your input to all the candidates and delegates waiting to start or who are just about to start their training courses. The information that you have shared has been priceless. Personally I can't wait to start at some point in the future on a night tube training course. Thank you.
Don’t worry mate, i got the same email, saying congratulations on securing a place for CSA1, it’s just a typo in the email.Sorry what does 'relief' mean?
Just booked my 3rd round of interview the SBI- and ngl I'm really nervous
A quick question-
1) I have 3 planned holidays from a short weekend to 2 full weeks- I presume that I'm not guaranteed to take these- even though I booked them before i knew i got the job.
2) How soon after you passed the 3rd round do they tell you when you start the training as presume you need to give notice to your current employer?
If i think of anymore I will be sure to post here.
Sorry for another post what is AC2/AC3? Also seen my email says
Congratulations on securing a place at the Customer Service Assistant 1, but the role i applied for was CSA 2, and the email asking me to book said CSA 2. Should I email them to double check?
TfL recruitment takes another U-Turn I see…The recruitment team has begun the process for my preferred part-time position (evenings anytime between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., 4 hours per day, 20 hours per week) due to the delays with the Night Tube vacancies until mid-2024. They've started on my references, but there's an issue.
They requested my HMRC record, which I uploaded to the XMS Portal. However, there seems to be a mistake. The HMRC tax document shows that I've worked for Tesco for over 10 years, but I've never been employed by them.
I've explained the discrepancy to REED but haven't heard back yet. I'm awaiting their response. If REED asks for a reference from Tesco, how can I prove that I never worked there?
Yes, this is the first time, why so Stemzey Signals?TfL recruitment takes another U-Turn I see…
Is this the first time you’ve done Reed reference checks?
Ah I did mine back in October!Yes, this is the first time, why so Stemzey Signals?
Have you started your work, or are you still waiting for a start date?Ah I did mine back in October!
Just wondering - incase they were asking for references for a second time (that would be awkward for my current and former employers….)
Still waiting.Have you started your work, or are you still waiting for a start date?
Oh gosh, which contract did you apply for - Night Tube or part-time days? Once they start your reference check, it usually goes straight to medical and then training. Is there a reason yours stopped after the reference stage?Still waiting.
One of my references responded, and the other was rejected as the other was a personal email. Then I had to provide an email with the company email, but still, they insisted I upload a tax document from HMRC.The HMRC record is an “alternative” for confirming employment history if your references are not responding. My thoughts.
How long has the whole process taken you from the day you done the online assessment to joining dateMedical check on wednesday and my start date is set for the 6th of May.
Nov 2023 to May 2024How long has the whole process taken you from the day you done the online assessment to joining date
Did you get a call to book your medical or was it sent by email? And is your start date based on the reed screening portal or has it been confirmed by Onboarding?Medical check on wednesday and my start date is set for the 6th of May.