Nervous Newbie

[Assassin6]

Hi I'm awaiting my induction very soon just waiting for the CRB check to clear and was just wondering what to expect on my induction and how easy the job is to pick up, also how many Saturdays in a row would I be expected to do as surely it can't be 6 days a week? My contract says 30 hours from 7:30-2:35. I'm based in Ashton in Manchester, thanks for any input.

[Nicesean]

At the Induction you'll just go thru the basics of the job, watch a couple of videos, there may be a Union rep there to chat to you. Nothing difficult and nothing really to help with the job itself. You should get a rotating day off in the week (Monday one week, Tues the next to until you get a Saturday and a Monday together every 6 weeks) and Sundays too, but your manager will probaby try to give you Tuesdsys off at first as that's the quietist day. Ive been at RM around 6 weeks now, got thru the Xmas hell and just going on to a rotating day off. Order what uniform you can before you start as it will take a few days to come thru. There should be a phone number in your starter pack. It'll take a few weeks for your body to get used to the walking but stick with it. Good luck.

[Zoemaz123]

Hi there, just starting my 4th week got all my uniform apart from storm jacket. I’m also on my second walk I did 2 weeks on the first and now this one. Totally agree about the days off mine have all been Tuesday 2 of them were bank holidays lol. I am loving it plenty of overtime already, but some days are really tiring and your legs and feet ache like crazy but should ease in time. Good luck you will love it!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Hi I'm awaiting my induction very soon just waiting for the CRB check to clear and was just wondering what to expect on my induction and how easy the job is to pick up, also how many Saturdays in a row would I be expected to do as surely it can't be 6 days a week? My contract says 30 hours from 7:30-2:35. I'm based in Ashton in Manchester, thanks for any input.

from an old postie with 15 years in the job

You will work 5 days out of 6. A good manager will try to get you at least some Saturdays off, a good union rep will make sure you do, but a bad manager and a rep that isn't proactive will probably mean random days off that make the job easier for manning rather than to accommodate you. I'll be frank I have been in 15 years and I have never had a Saturday off except annual leave.

The basic of the job is very easy and most pick it up within a few days. The most confusing part is the processes for the different kinds of mail Specials, tracked, signed for, foreign items etc and then there are, redirections, retentions, safe keeps, local collect, inaccesibles etc - but your coach will take you through this.

The hardest part about the job and the one that surprises most new starters is the physical aspect 9 - 12 miles walking a day and at a decent pace.

But its a damn good job with a few drawbacks and if you have the right mindset its a job you can enjoy a great deal - I do.

[Wicket2017]

Are we supposed to receive something before we start? I’ve had nothing and I have my induction on Monday

[Elfie123]

Ring Dimensions (the uniform people) on 01332697118 and they will go through all the uniform over the phone and order it for you. I waited 7 weeks for my uniform and in that time all I had was a pair of shoes which I couldn't walk in (try to get the magnum non steel capped boots, they are the ugliest but comfiest). My manager said it had been ordered but when I rang, it hadn't. So I had struggled on in the freezing cold and wet in my own clothes for nothing! They ordered everything, plus another pair of shoes I could actually walk in. It all came within 3 days.. Good luck!

[Elfie123]

Oh, and you won't get any paperwork before you start, just remember to take your driving license to the induction.