Merseyrail RPI's

[8J]

Merseyrail are taking on for RPI/O's

http://merseyrail.org/about-merseyrail/careers/revenue-protection-officers.aspx

Best of luck to all that apply. Closing date is 3rd Sept

 

[johnnyd]

I applied for this position. Not heard anything and closing date a week ago so
assuming no joy as it did say they would only reply to successful applicants.
Has anyone any idea of timescale with merseyrail over job apps?

 

[baldyman26]

I have applied for a few Merseyrail jobs, whilst I am resigned to the fact that they just don't like me, I have only ever had 1 thanks but no thanks through the post about 6 weeks later so I wouldn't hold your breath if you are expecting to hear anything quickly.

 

[Clip]

I applied for this position. Not heard anything and closing date a week ago so
assuming no joy as it did say they would only reply to successful applicants.
Has anyone any idea of timescale with merseyrail over job apps?

I couldnt tell you a timescale but patience is of the essence. The railway as a whole is very slow as they tend to have a railway to run.

 

[Albatross]

I couldnt tell you a timescale but patience is of the essence. The railway as a whole is very slow as they tend to have a railway to run.

The human resources dept have a railway to run?

Nah sorry, they have a HR dept to run and in 99% of cases they run them terribly.

 

[Clip]

The human resources dept have a railway to run?

Nah sorry, they have a HR dept to run and in 99% of cases they run them terribly.

Yes and the HR dept is integral to the running of that railway thank you. They are not just employed to deal with recruitment.

 

[carriageline]

The human resources dept have a railway to run?



Nah sorry, they have a HR dept to run and in 99% of cases they run them terribly.

From my experience, HR teams are often very small (compared to the amount of applications and employees they have 'under' them at least!), and as chip said they have to deal with everything else HR related, from new starters, employee enquiries & problems, people leaving, references, dismissals, pay, and then the mammoth task of recruitment. Personally I would rather they focused on current employees problems before new starters and recruitment!


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[muz379]

As well as being small teams most of the time ,the number of applicants received per role is quite high and owing to the massive differences between applicants sifting can take a while . Its not like certain jobs where you have people directly qualified and experienced in the job you are recruiting for so you just pick the most qualified or experienced candidate . I bet at times shortlisting can be quite a hard job for some railway jobs .

Railway HR departments are usually located in head office handling recruitment for a whole TOC which operates over a large geographical area covering loads of depots means going out to conduct interviews and assessments etc is a whole days worth of work rather than just a short appointment like with many other businesses .

 

[Albatross]

Yes and the HR dept is integral to the running of that railway thank you. They are not just employed to deal with recruitment.

Is it? How many trains would get cancelled tomorrow if the entire HR team failed to turn in?

Integral my arse.

 

[razor89]

Is it? How many trains would get cancelled tomorrow if the entire HR team failed to turn in?

Integral my arse.

Probably none, but it's not a very good example.

Would you say maintaining the rolling stock is integral to the running of the railway?

If the fleet maintenance team failed to turn up for work tomorrow, chances are almost all the trains would run as normal. Six months on, however, you would be lucky to have half the fleet in service.

 

[Albatross]

Probably none, but it's not a very good example.

Would you say maintaining the rolling stock is integral to the running of the railway?

If the fleet maintenance team failed to turn up for work tomorrow, chances are almost all the trains would run as normal. Six months on, however, you would be lucky to have half the fleet in service.

I'd say theyre a hell of a lot more integral than the HR dept.

Anyway the point is if the HR bods were indeed 'integral' then the whole dept not turning in tomorrow would have an impact. Seeing as we agree there'd be no impact whatsoever then I think we can drop integral from their job description.

 

[muz379]

What about payroll are they integral ? or can they all have a few weeks off without any impact as well

 

[russmcp]

Don't underestimate the need for HR. My organisation got rid of most of them plying more pressure on us managers to now do what we took for granted. They do a hell of a lot. Just be patient. I have had to be for four years to get a trainee driver role and I am finally almost there.

 

[185]

I'll comfortably underestimate Merseyrail's HR department.

Two of them got into a black cab in Liverpool, it turned out to be Cash Cab - it was on TV a couple of years ago. Seem to remember they got destroyed with some very, very easy questions and left the taxi empty handed :P

 

[Mojo]

Is it? How many trains would get cancelled tomorrow if the entire HR team failed to turn in?

Integral my arse.

You might not notice it tomorrow; but possibly four or more weeks later when there are issues with pay, promotions/recruitment and people management advice leading to a lack of the experts that deal with grievances, employee relations, disciplinaries and cases of harassment and bullying.

 

[Clip]

Is it? How many trains would get cancelled tomorrow if the entire HR team failed to turn in?

Integral my arse.

Your post doesnt really deserve an answer but I will because its obvious that you have no idea what you are on about so its probably best if you kept quiet and possibly your attitude in check.

I know my HR team are an integral part of my railway and that whilst trains would still run tomorrow its the bigger picture of the railway and employment within that would start to suffer quickly.

Think of the bigger picture rather than yourself and maybe youll get that job you are keen on.

 

[Emyr]

You need HR to address the frequent occurence of

...a member of train crew was unavailable.

 

[carriageline]

In my experience it's not HR that don't want to fill vacancies (infact I have heard of managers get moaned at for having open vacancies) but it's more managers budgets that won't allow it


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[chorleyjeff]

I couldnt tell you a timescale but patience is of the essence. The railway as a whole is very slow as they tend to have a railway to run.

So do the personnel departments run trains?

 

[carriageline]

I just think it's unfair to slate a whole department, when I have had good dealing with various Railway HRs. And whilst I have had some bad experiences (the length of times takes the biscuit!!), I can sympathise knowing the amount of work they do and how small the HR teams I have dealt with are.

I have also had awful experiences with small and big companies outside of the railway, some of which should definitely know better if that makes you feel better? The police for example are exactly the same, the amount of time they take is just as shocking. But they are similar in the fact they get many applicants


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[martynbristow]

HR is essential not critical
A large number of HR functions are automated now, where I work everything is run through Oracle EBIZ and it works well.
Certain things go to line managers to deals with.

Its unlikely this would be only down to HR, HR have to dot the I's and cross the T's but the team manager whose recruiting is involved too

 

[Clip]

HR is essential not critical
A large number of HR functions are automated now, where I work everything is run through Oracle EBIZ and it works well.
Certain things go to line managers to deals with.

Its unlikely this would be only down to HR, HR have to dot the I's and cross the T's but the team manager whose recruiting is involved too

H R are critical though. Just because everyone wants to go automated with things like leave and such like doesn't detract from the very real and important assistance they can give managers and staff.

Yes this thread got derailed somewhat and I apologise for my part in that but they are vital to the running of the railway. That point still stands.

 

[muz379]

HR is essential not critical
A large number of HR functions are automated now, where I work everything is run through Oracle EBIZ and it works well.
Certain things go to line managers to deals with.

Its unlikely this would be only down to HR, HR have to dot the I's and cross the T's but the team manager whose recruiting is involved too

Payroll tasks are quite often automated now , but I would much rather speak to an actual person when the computer or more likely to person instructing the computer has messed up and I have not got paid correctly thank you very much

 

[185]

Replacing HR professionals with technology, software, or some form of robotic automaton.....

Yeah, I'm for that.

Quote: Virgin Trains "Did you check your spelling and grammer?"

 

[302PS]

Hr are do things like disciplines too

Jesus. If you can't wait more than a week don't ever apply for northern

 

[martynbristow]

H R are critical though. Just because everyone wants to go automated with things like leave and such like doesn't detract from the very real and important assistance they can give managers and staff.

Yes this thread got derailed somewhat and I apologise for my part in that but they are vital to the running of the railway. That point still stands.

Just to clarify the definition of CRITICAL vs ESSENTIAL
If HR don't turn in one morning, does this prevent the operation of trains .... NO
So not critical but having the HR function is essential.
Oracle EBIZ generally replaces paperwork! and frees up staff to do there real job

 

[johnnyd]

Just to update. Had given up hope and today a letter pops through the door inviting me to an assessment day.
Any ideas what to expect on the day, and what chance I have of clinching the job now would be appreciated.

 

[8J]

For an RPO job I wouldn't have a clue, I guess ticket checking, concentration and English, possibly some multiple choice conflict avoidance. I would ask them if it is necessary to have any sample papers

 

[Urban Gateline]

For an RPO job I wouldn't have a clue, I guess ticket checking, concentration and English, possibly some multiple choice conflict avoidance. I would ask them if it is necessary to have any sample papers

Some TOC's like Southern for RPI's and South West Trains (at least for Rail Community Officer) also have a Role play as part of the asssessment process.

 

[johnnyd]

Thanks for the replies guys. Should have said they enclosed a pack with 3 tests to look at and give an idea of what to expect on that front. one quite a tough maths one, the others more common sense based.
Id be pretty confident of being able to do them OK, but it says 8 min time limit for each test so definitely be tricky to complete.
On the letter it says day runs from 830-500 so was wondering what else to expect. Maybe group exercise/ role play as suggested, and if I do ok maybe an actual interview also.
Thanks again, and anymore advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.