New starter.

Tott22 · Post by **Tott22** » 09 Jul 2017, 12:49

Hi all,
I got my formal offer last week and am due to start on the 07/08/17 of course I am extremely pleased I have my offer and am looking forward to starting, however after looking through some of the topics and chats on here everything and everyone seem so negative, is it really that bad? Surely if it was they would have no employees!!

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 09 Jul 2017, 14:24

Tott,
We were all extremely pleased when we got our offer and looked forward to starting but after a few months realised that we should have looked on this forum first.
That Royal Mail still have us as employees is because there's little alternative given the erosion of pay, terms and conditions in post-Thatcher Britain.

LiamK1984 · Post by **LiamK1984** » 09 Jul 2017, 14:59

Tott,
I thought the exact same, ive been offered a job of 30hrs/week permanent contract pending security checks and I really hope I do get the job.
Ive been a Motor Vehicle Technician for 16 years and I cant imagine this job being any worse than working on a French car ! Also this job pays more money. I have read a lot of doom and gloom on here but it wont put me off.

Tott22 · Post by **Tott22** » 09 Jul 2017, 19:21

Thanks for the replies!
I'm in no way put off I'm a very positive person, I worked in education in a fe college for 9 years and that is undergoing massive changes lots of redundancies, unhappy people lots of negative thoughts and comments!
However on the flip side there were also lots of happy people, I think you get the mix in every work place it's just on here I've probably came across 3-4 positive posts haha!! Hey ho...... am looking forward to it never the less and if it really is that bad ill move on to another job!
I hope you pass all your checks. And also hope that any issues people have within rm are resolved.

MissKazzyB · Post by **MissKazzyB** » 09 Jul 2017, 20:24

Congratulations on getting your start date

I found this forum before I started & was really shocked too at all the negative posts but I didn't let it put me off. In fact I was glad I read loads on here as it gave me an insight of how certain things are within RM so I felt prepared & walked in with my eyes open so to speak.

It's going to be my 6th week this week & I really like the job. I've got a good bunch at the office where we have lots of banter in the morning before heading out on our walks.

Be prepared for achey feet & ankles especially the first few weeks. Mine have been really painful & still are however they're getting better as the weeks go on. Just gotta stick at it & go through the pain knowing it will get easier. I've had a couple of blip days where I was very stressed but all the replies & support from people in here & in the office got me through it & im now really happy again.

Good luck & message me if you have any questions that you'd like to ask me as I'm still a newbie then feel free xxxx

Tott22 · Post by **Tott22** » 09 Jul 2017, 20:36

Misskaz
Thanks for the reply, sounds a lot more postive pleased to hear you've settled in well, fingers crossed I get to work with a good bunch!!
I've read quite a lot about the aches and pains I am hoping it won't be too bad as I run 10-20 miles a week at the moment, and also In my current job am on my feet from 5pm-3am hopefully it won't take me to long to adapt!
Quick question what hours do you work? My contract is from 8.30-2.45 4 days a week I know will take me time to pick up speed etc but how often do you get out on time? Am just trying to work out my child care and schools pick ups etc, thanks

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 09 Jul 2017, 21:13

Good luck.

And if you do well you might consider applying for a job as the Delivery Office Manager ; "As an operational manager assuming overall accountability for the ======== Delivery Office, you’ll lead a team of approximately == employees, supporting them through our exciting transformation journey. Working closely alongside trade union representatives, you’ll ensure your team understands the commercial and competitive market we are in. They’ll need to be customer focussed, open to new technology, and flexible to change. Utilising your first-rate change management experience, you’ll be responsible for safeguarding the performance of your unit; meeting budgetary targets, and ensuring quality of service for our customers, along with responsibility for the overall safety of the people you manage. You will be the prime representative for your office and actively promote customer service opportunities whilst having a strong track record of delivering performance through your personal leadership of teams in a changing operational environment" and time for the occasional

.

Tott22 · Post by **Tott22** » 10 Jul 2017, 14:08

not a bad idea!!
Might just do that!!!!!
Nothing wrong with always aiming high or higher!!!

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 11 Jul 2017, 13:51

Tott22 wrote:Hi all,
I got my formal offer last week and am due to start on the 07/08/17 of course I am extremely pleased I have my offer and am looking forward to starting, however after looking through some of the topics and chats on here everything and everyone seem so negative, is it really that bad? Surely if it was they would have no employees!!

It really isn't that bad, not compared to other jobs I've had anyway. You've got to understand many have been doing this job most of their lives, upwards of 40 years in some cases in my office. As you can imagine in that time the environment Royal Mail operates in has changed massively; as a result the company is going through a modernization program which a lot of people don't like or want. Walks are bigger due to decreasing mail volumes, finish times are being pushed further back because it's no longer vital people's mail arrives before the crack of dawn as it used to. Later finish times of course mean longer days for posties, it's also much harder than it used to be as parcel volumes have gone up dramatically in the internet shopping age which is what really takes up most of our time.

Basically, the days are longer and they're much harder which is difficult for many to deal with and accept. Being a relative newbie myself though (2 years service) it's all I've ever known and I really like the job. Just be aware though, like many on here say managers (and certain other posties being honest) will take the piss out of newbies if you let them. Be aware of your start and finish times, if you're happy to go over your contracted hours fine, but make sure you book overtime and actually check on your pay slip you're being paid it. If you're not happy working past your time, be aware of the cut off procedure (there's loads on this site about it).

Tott22 · Post by **Tott22** » 12 Jul 2017, 22:29

Postietom
Thanks for the reply and info