Over 50s

[Barnacle]

There are legal guidelines around offering VR. If your office is under staffed, you aren’t going to be offered it.

[A2B]

There are legal guidelines around offering VR. If your office is under staffed, you aren’t going to be offered it.

[Wullie10]

Saldy i have to do a few more years as I got a mortgage late in life. I'm receiving my 60th pension and I'm actually very fit and luckily in quite good health. But I'll warn anyone yet to reach that milestone you're about to experience exhaustion you wouldn't believe. Total exhaustion. Like falling asleep in a coffee shop , on a bus at home . Playing with grandkids or gardening at weekends will wash you out. Maybe it's just me me but speaking to others it happens to them too. I look around and see an office full of 50 year old blokes and it's going to hit them all. It's a ridiculous situation and the people in charge who sit in meetings or in front of a computer all day just haven't got a clue. Like I say I'm one of the lucky ones who's back or knees haven't gone ( yet ) . I can't see any advantage of RM flogging posties to death just because young people don't want to work.

[CharlesSpooner]

We've had 4 people leave our office in the last two weeks and we were understaffed before that.

VR ain't happening here. More's the pity.

[Chelseablue]

Good honest post wullie. Scary times ahead

[Postie45]

I can't see any advantage of RM flogging posties to death just because young people don't want to work.

Who can blame the young people? Why would you want to work at this s**t show?
I know its not the same job I started at many years ago when it was far easier on your body, and you didn't go home feeling shattered, also the pay was better comparitively, we are now barely above minimum wage and working our arses off.

[RuralVan]

There was something the union posted a few years ago about looking into reducing workload for those getting close to retirement. By that I mean the over 60's and not the over 50's . Since then it's all gone quiet. I have asked before on here if there is any follow up, but it's been a wall of silence, so you can forget any help for workload or VR in your 50's, never mind 60's.

You see years ago it was recognised that the body does slow down with age (especially in a physically demanding job and working oudoors). Since then the retirement age has increased and workload has increased.

Any news Martin?

[RuralVan]

Hmm...just another brick in the wall then.

[postslippete]

There was something the union posted a few years ago about looking into reducing workload for those getting close to retirement. By that I mean the over 60's and not the over 50's . Since then it's all gone quiet. I have asked before on here if there is any follow up, but it's been a wall of silence, so you can forget any help for workload or VR in your 50's, never mind 60's.

You see years ago it was recognised that the body does slow down with age (especially in a physically demanding job and working oudoors). Since then the retirement age has increased and workload has increased.

Any news Martin?

The issue of workload relief for older workers in physically demanding roles like delivery has been talked about for years but nothing meaningful has materialised and there's still no implemented policy or national framework to support long serving employees approaching retirement. In many other sectors, there are formal phased retirement schemes and the option to reduce hours voluntarily without financial penalty. But with RM, we have seen the opposite - increased workloads due to revisions and chronic staff shortages, all while retirement age continues to rise. Instead of support, many older workers feel that they are being squeezed out of the business to make room for new recruits on lower paid, less secure contracts.

Maybe Martin will address this in his comms later today, but I expect we will hear the usual references to voluntary redundancy or fatigue on delivery rather than anything concrete. For a job that involves early starts, long walks, exposure to all weathers and relentless physical demands there absolutely should be a plan to support those approaching 60 and beyond. Its not about asking for special treatment but recognising the toll that this job takes over time and respecting the contribution of those who have spent decades doing it.

[kennierobo]

Are you seriously expecting RM to give over 60,s lighter work. They would see you drop dead in the streets first, you are and always will be just a number.

[RuralVan]

Adjustments:
Employers should consider how an older worker's capabilities might change with age and make necessary adjustments to the workplace or work tasks to ensure their safety and health.

That's from Unison. Still a wall of silence from the CWU.

I might add that I have been a CWU member for many years.

[twoloops]

I have to keep reminding my partner that I'm 30 years older than him, I still beat him back to the van on every loop

[BELIAL]

I have to keep reminding my partner that I'm 30 years older than him, I still beat him back to the van on every loop

There’s no fool like an old fool, so they say.

[Chelseablue]

Its not a race. Its called a walk.

[SkiSunday]

Its not a race. Its called a walk.

Exactly. It's called a walk not a run.