A hard day’s night

As part of our legal requirements under the UK Working Time Regulations 1998, all colleagues assigned to night shift work must be afforded the opportunity to have a free health assessment.

Royal Mail Group complies with this by ensuring that all employees, who work for at least three hours between the hours of 23:00 and 06:00, are offered the health assessment on an annual basis.

This is done through a screening questionnaire that has been compiled with guidance from our occupational health provider.

The Working Time Regulations 1998 apply to all workers and stipulate minimum rest breaks, daily rest, weekly rest and the maximum average working week. Employers must offer workers a free health assessment before they become a night worker.

This annual activity allows us to demonstrate how we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all colleagues through the prevention of physical and mental harm.

During early June, all night workers will be sent a copy of the questionnaire as well as a return envelope and a health guidance information sheet.

Once returned, each completed questionnaire will be reviewed by our occupational health service provider. Depending on the information provided, it may be necessary for an assessment to be arranged with an occupational health advisor. Assessments will usually be via phone and colleagues will be contacted direct to arrange an assessment when required. Following the assessment, a report will be sent to the colleague, and with their consent, their line manager too.

If there are no health concerns, colleagues and line managers will receive a report to confirm this.

Participation is voluntary, however, both the CWU and Unite / CMA support this annual campaign and encourage their members to take part. If you have any concerns about completing this questionnaire, please speak to your workplace health and safety representative for clarity and reassurance.

The deadline for returning completed questionnaires is Monday 1July 2019.

As a reminder:

• A letter, questionnaire and a health guidance information sheet will be sent to night shift workers’ home addresses in earlyJune
• Please only complete the questionnaire that is sent to your home address, even if you have no underlying health conditions. Please note that we can only accept the version of the form that is posted to your home address
• All completed questionnaires must be sent direct to our occupational health service provider using the return envelope provided with the home mailing
• Misplaced questionnaires can be re-printed by line managers here and returned using a Royal Mail prepaid envelope to: OPTIMA HEALTH, RMG Night Worker Department, Meadow Court, 2 Hayland Street, SHEFFIELD, S9 1BY.

Please click here for common questions and answers. Health advice for night shift workers can be found by clicking here.