Worst mistake a new starter has made/can make?

[Pmn]

Apart from 'applying in the first place'.

I'm finally starting as a full timer in a couple of weeks just wondering what your experiences have been with newbies? Also, from what I've read on here, it seems like Royal Mail have a big problem with retaining staff? Would that be accurate?

no not accurate ,has a big problem with problem employees trying their best to fook it up from within .they just dont wanna get of the gravy train....

full time is the most surprising thing you said.....
welcome to royal mail .hope you enjoy this site and your new job.just be aware that this site imho isnt reflective of the average postie.its just alittle bit militant..In My Humble Opinion.

before you start did you know that you wont be able to take holiday off when you want but rather when everyone more senior to you doesnt want it off .that was a shocker for me....

just remember dont rush about trying to impress it wont make a blind bit of difference just start at your correct time do it at your own pace and enjoy yourself .

To be honest, given the situation in the industry I've just come from, I'd be delighted if the whole workforce was even half as militant as this board. Some of the complaints of the management on here pale into insignificance when I think of what my previous employers got up to. Intimidation, unsafe working practices (14 hour shifts three days on the spin! 70 hour weeks!) nearly always too short staffed for (unpaid) lunch breaks, arbitrary dismissal etc etc, anything you can think of, were all par for the course. And these were no gangmasters. I'm talking a company that was once FT100 but now FT250.

The vast majority of my colleagues were immigrants not long in the country, who were either students or heading back home after earning a bit of cash, who just wanted to keep their heads down and avoid getting the boot and of course they didn't know their rights. I don't blame them but naturally the employer loves these sort of people and takes them for everything they can get. One union tried to start organising us a few years back and I tried to help out but I was starting from a situation where most my colleagues didn't even know what a trade union was. So yeah, maybe it has gone too far one way at Royal Mail but having seen what it's like on the other side, I know I'd much rather be working within an industry where the workers are organised!

But thanks for the words of advice and encouragement!

[dvbuk55]

To be honest, given the situation in the industry I've just come from, I'd be delighted if the whole workforce was even half as militant as this board. Some of the complaints of the management on here pale into insignificance when I think of what my previous employers got up to. Intimidation, unsafe working practices (14 hour shifts three days on the spin! 70 hour weeks!) nearly always too short staffed for (unpaid) lunch breaks, arbitrary dismissal etc etc, anything you can think of, were all par for the course. And these were no gangmasters. I'm talking a company that was once FT100 but now FT250.

The vast majority of my colleagues were immigrants not long in the country, who were either students or heading back home after earning a bit of cash, who just wanted to keep their heads down and avoid getting the boot and of course they didn't know their rights. I don't blame them but naturally the employer loves these sort of people and takes them for everything they can get. One union tried to start organising us a few years back and I tried to help out but I was starting from a situation where most my colleagues didn't even know what a trade union was. So yeah, maybe it has gone too far one way at Royal Mail but having seen what it's like on the other side, I know I'd much rather be working within an industry where the workers are organised!

But thanks for the words of advice and encouragement!

How did you like working for KFC or was it McDonalds?

[DGP1]

To be honest, given the situation in the industry I've just come from, I'd be delighted if the whole workforce was even half as militant as this board. Some of the complaints of the management on here pale into insignificance when I think of what my previous employers got up to. Intimidation, unsafe working practices (14 hour shifts three days on the spin! 70 hour weeks!) nearly always too short staffed for (unpaid) lunch breaks, arbitrary dismissal etc etc, anything you can think of, were all par for the course. And these were no gangmasters. I'm talking a company that was once FT100 but now FT250.

The vast majority of my colleagues were immigrants not long in the country, who were either students or heading back home after earning a bit of cash, who just wanted to keep their heads down and avoid getting the boot and of course they didn't know their rights. I don't blame them but naturally the employer loves these sort of people and takes them for everything they can get. One union tried to start organising us a few years back and I tried to help out but I was starting from a situation where most my colleagues didn't even know what a trade union was. So yeah, maybe it has gone too far one way at Royal Mail but having seen what it's like on the other side, I know I'd much rather be working within an industry where the workers are organised!

But thanks for the words of advice and encouragement!

How did you like working for KFC or was it McDonalds?

Maybe it was Asda

[woofwoof]

dont listen to the old guy that trains u when u ask about a toilet break and he says slip your waterproofs on and just go with the flow

[dvbuk55]

dont listen to the old guy that trains u when u ask about a toilet break and he says slip your waterproofs on and just go with the flow

Listen barking - I used to be in my element when it was raining, they used to ask why my pants were steaming, I said it was because I went so fast - and I really meant went.

[pinstripe]

You got to watch out for the office clown, every office must have one. The guy who plays the same practical jokes on every single new starter. Mine was my driver on my first day on my own, I was ready on time, even before the old hands so he told me to grab my bags and wait by the van. So I did, 2 drop bags and my pouch outside in the rain for 15 minutes as he went for his brekkie. I was wondering why everyone kept coming outside, looking then going back in. I was soaked. Everyone except me of course, was in on it and they all had a good laugh. Course that would be bullying and harassment now but it was funny. The moral is don't believe everything you are told, just use a bit of, dare I say it with RM, common sense.

[baldrick]

To be honest, given the situation in the industry I've just come from, I'd be delighted if the whole workforce was even half as militant as this board. Some of the complaints of the management on here pale into insignificance when I think of what my previous employers got up to. Intimidation, unsafe working practices (14 hour shifts three days on the spin! 70 hour weeks!) nearly always too short staffed for (unpaid) lunch breaks, arbitrary dismissal etc etc, anything you can think of, were all par for the course. And these were no gangmasters. I'm talking a company that was once FT100 but now FT250.

The vast majority of my colleagues were immigrants not long in the country, who were either students or heading back home after earning a bit of cash, who just wanted to keep their heads down and avoid getting the boot and of course they didn't know their rights. I don't blame them but naturally the employer loves these sort of people and takes them for everything they can get. One union tried to start organising us a few years back and I tried to help out but I was starting from a situation where most my colleagues didn't even know what a trade union was. So yeah, maybe it has gone too far one way at Royal Mail but having seen what it's like on the other side, I know I'd much rather be working within an industry where the workers are organised!

But thanks for the words of advice and encouragement!

Welcome To rmc Pmn and I'm glad to hear that you appreciate that the terms and conditions we
have in RM were achieved by posties sticking together (unlike CTAS).
But these two :lfo and :cfo want to change our T&Cs into those described by you. Only some people
can't see that.

[Thorby Bislam]

welcome to royal mail .hope you enjoy this site and your new job.just be aware that this site imho isnt reflective of the average postie.its just a little bit too honest..In My Humble Opinion.

There. Fixed it for you.

just remember dont rush about trying to impress it wont make a blind bit of difference just start at your correct time do it at your own pace and enjoy yourself .

You're dead right about this bit though.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

don't worry Thorby, CantypeandShouts probably thinks Gordon Brown is a little too left wing for his taste.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

now now true blue terrier,what's my political opinions got to do with you..as i said before history is my most favourite subject unfortunately unlike your good self i learn from history where as your trying your best to repeat it.....
:Boo

your so confused ,you don't like labour but you finance them..you really should make your minds up,if you have any.

as for honesty read previous posts...disgruntled is the only honest one here,he admits he wants more more more for less less less

[Warbo]

Starting !