DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB?!

[beckylh]

Hi everyone, I’m currently going through security checks and waiting to hear my start date. I was really excited until I started reading more and more on this forum and I’m left wondering what I’m getting myself into :/ I’m reading mainly that management are crap, there is a lack of proper training, that you don’t get paid for overtime/don’t get paid correctly and that it’s impossible to book any holidays that you want.
On that note, how much of this is true and should I be worried? Does anyone actually enjoy their job because all I see on here is negativity! :(

[itinerant]

Hi everyone, I’m currently going through security checks and waiting to hear my start date. I was really excited until I started reading more and more on this forum and I’m left wondering what I’m getting myself into :/ I’m reading mainly that management are crap, there is a lack of proper training, that you don’t get paid for overtime/don’t get paid correctly and that it’s impossible to book any holidays that you want.
On that note, how much of this is true and should I be worried? Does anyone actually enjoy their job because all I see on here is negativity! :(

My experience after joining a year ago:

Management - mine are ok compared to what i read on here although the communication could be better. One thing I have noticed is that duties are often given to new starters that are longer than that person's contracted hours with no thought to their circumstances. You need to be firm from the start and make it clear what you are happy to do. Some people are happy to work as much overtime as possible but others only want to work the hours they applied for. Once management know you will not be messed around they are likely to try it on with someone else instead.

Training - my induction day at the mail centre was good and promised lots of on the job training but the reality was very different once I started (i had 2 days training on a rural round and was then out on my own and the first few weeks were tough). Saying that you pick it up quickly enough and other posties are happy to give advice to newbies.
Also, unlike my duties which are all single person, most offices operate 2 people in a van so you should have someone working alongside you.

Overtime/Pay Issues - no problem for me since I joined and I have worked overtime, days off etc.

Holidays - again no problem booking any holidays. as long as you dont request holiday at short notice our office do try and accommodate requests

Personally yes I do enjoy the job. I iike the banter in the office with colleagues for a couple of hours while we prep and then being out on my own for the rest of the day on delivery and I like doing an active physical job after working in an office for many years. It's mostly great being outdoors too (except for the odd day when it lashes it down with rain all day!).

I think the best thing is to be aware that there can be issues and some offices are worse than others. You will only know for sure once you are in the trenches!!

Be positive and good luck

[Devil0000]

Hello, what long term reservations do you have if i may ask? I dont work for royal mail yet but any knowledge is helpful from people on the frontline. I personally thought that the royal mail business is going to grow with more people buying online and wanting next day delivery or better same day

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Its a brilliant job, once you are out of the office and away from management it's relatively stress-free and as long as you work at a reasonable pace they can't touch you.

In my honest opinion Royal Mail management style is a throwback to 1979. It has a command and conquer approach to Industrial relations, and despite 2 reports by 2 eminent gentlemen nothing has changed

Lord Sawyer:

Front-line managers in Royal Mail have traditionally seen their role as
authoritarian and purely directive, to tell employees what they are supposed to
do and to keep constant checks to see that they are doing it. They have not
been encouraged to see their role as involving the motivation of employees or
coaching or supporting employees in order to develop their skills or initiative.

Richard Hooper

Labour relations. The relationship between management and the
Communications Workers Union is extremely difficult.

But its still a brilliant job, and one worth fighting for when and if asked to do so.

[POSTMAN]

management are crap, there is a lack of proper training, that you don’t get paid for overtime/don’t get paid correctly and that it’s impossible to book any holidays that you want.

I would say that the above is correct in a lot of offices, possibly happens at more places than it doesn't.