DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
What am I doing today?
6.5 hours into a sixteen hour stint...
- Thread starter DCBassman
- Start date
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Polling Station Gestapo 
OP
OP
DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
Jahwohl!
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
OP
OP
DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
So far, it's good! Always nice when everyone comes out, especially with the poor weather.
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Smokin Joe
Squire
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
Well paid, I gather?
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Im surprised it’s a single shift. Does everyone do 16 hours or do some people just do the morning/ evening shift.
swee'pea99
Squire
D'you get two votes? Like, perk of the job sort of thing.
OP
OP
DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
Only if you don't pay tax...
Single shift, you have to waive your Working Time Directive rights.
I wish!
lazybloke
Ginger biscuits and cheddar
- Location
- Leafy Surrey
Mrs L is usually a poll clerk all day, and then dashes to the overnight count as well. It's a hugely long day, especially when recounts are demanded.
This time she's only doing the overnight count; approx 10pm to 4am.
You get pay (and travel expenses) plus some brief breaks, but the only perks are the satisfaction of implementing the democratic process, and the joy (or misery) of knowing which way the count is going.
This time she's only doing the overnight count; approx 10pm to 4am.
You get pay (and travel expenses) plus some brief breaks, but the only perks are the satisfaction of implementing the democratic process, and the joy (or misery) of knowing which way the count is going.
numbnuts
Squire
- Location
- Gone over the hill and far away
The last time I did a 16 hour shift straight through, I got the sack at the end of the shift
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Lorry Driver - quite rightThe last time I did a 16 hour shift straight through, I got the sack at the end of the shift
Junior Doctor - they were picking on you
steverob
Guru
- Location
- Buckinghamshire
As an ex-council employee, while I didn't actually take up any of the numerous opportunities to be a polling clerk, I heard some of the stories, good and bad, from those who did. It depended a lot on where you got assigned.
Some got fairly urban wards (for our district anyway, which is probably 80% rural) where were a lot of people registered, plus there was always a high turnout and so the constant stream of people meant that while it was still a long day, you were busy enough for it not to feel like 16 hours (maybe only 12!)
Others got villages in the back of beyond where the electoral roll was less than 200 people. If you were doing the Euro elections, or worse, the Police Commissioner elections, you'd maybe see 10% of those people at best and most of those were done with in the first 2 hours of your shift. The rest of it was deathly dull.
Some got fairly urban wards (for our district anyway, which is probably 80% rural) where were a lot of people registered, plus there was always a high turnout and so the constant stream of people meant that while it was still a long day, you were busy enough for it not to feel like 16 hours (maybe only 12!)
Others got villages in the back of beyond where the electoral roll was less than 200 people. If you were doing the Euro elections, or worse, the Police Commissioner elections, you'd maybe see 10% of those people at best and most of those were done with in the first 2 hours of your shift. The rest of it was deathly dull.
Bazzer
Setting the controls for the heart of the sun.
- Location
- On the edge of reality
It was very quiet when Mrs B and I went to vote earlier today; but our polling station serves quite a small community. So FWIW you have my sympathies.
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
I could have I reckon. I was registered as both Andy and Andrew. Not sure how that happened, but it is a little worrying.
