Delivery staff leaving royal mail.

[enskied]

There are doubtless lots of reasons why they fail to retain some new recruits. Yes, a lack of flexibility with days off might be one of them. The disdain, animosity, hostility and disrespect shown by a small section of longstanding staff towards new recruits might be another big reason too. Despite the permanent job label, others may just see it as a short term job with guaranteed income for the duration and never intend to stay for anything more than a short time.

I missed this one... I have in my time welcomed , trained and partnered many new starters and work with them today. The last one starting just about two years ago. So not on the crap contract being offered now, but still on poor hours.

I congratulated you on your permanent contract . Didn't show you distain, but as you see it as a short term thing... goodbye.

[Nickvilla20]

There are doubtless lots of reasons why they fail to retain some new recruits. Yes, a lack of flexibility with days off might be one of them. The disdain, animosity, hostility and disrespect shown by a small section of longstanding staff towards new recruits might be another big reason too. Despite the permanent job label, others may just see it as a short term job with guaranteed income for the duration and never intend to stay for anything more than a short time.

Many from the outside still see Royal Mail being the company it was before it was sold off. It also seems many new recruits are promised well payed good employment with full on the job training but in reality this doesn’t happen.

I can’t say I’ve ever seen senior members of staff been hostile to new recruits maybe a bit weary especially when someone comes in and tells them that the job is easy and that they are better than them. I’ve seen problems when management ask posties to train new members of staff with any kind of renumeration.

You could be right saying some may see it as a short term income and won’t stick around long but that is no good for the company. Being a postie takes a while to get used to like the physical side of it and learning of somewhat complicated deliveries and work methods it’s really not a job you can just pick up and go.

[Smoothbackground]

I can’t say I’ve ever seen senior members of staff been hostile to new recruits maybe a bit weary especially when someone comes in and tells them that the job is easy and that they are better than them. I’ve seen problems when management ask posties to train new members of staff with any kind of renumeration.

Then you haven’t looked hard enough, mate, or you are part of the problem yourself. Indeed, your reference to “senior staff” or the inference you are in some way “senior” gives a tangible glimpse to the chip on your shoulder. i take it you mean you are a LONGSTANDING employee. The only “senior members of staff” I know of are managers, supervisors and the like.

Let me be very clear, the rudeness and hostility I identify absolutely isn’t everybody – indeed, there are some great longstanding staff who really are excellent –but there is a small but significant clique who make it their business to pick on on new recruits, e.g. marching up to new recruits and going “Which one of you parked your van in my f***ing space? Make sure you don’t park in my space again”, “Oh, that bin is for us only”, You are going to take that York back inside, aren’t you?”, “Why did you dare to adjust the seat in my van when you drove it 22 days ago?” These disrespectful, cantankerous old gits never introduce themselves or engage in pleasant conversation, just try to assert themselves and their perceived seniority. They pick on new recruits for smoking in the vicinity of the yard yet themselves smoke on the loading bank itself while talking loudly - and disparagingly - about agency and new starters.

I personally put up with some of this rudeness for a few months while agency, until I eventually turned round and truly let rip with one such bully, making a point of ruining him in front of all his “mates”. It was wholly worthwhile as I gained some eventual respect from them all. Well enjoyed it too! Was worried I had overstepped the mark with some of my comments becoming a bit too personal – but my manager was entirely supportive of my actions and told me I was free to respond “in the playground” as I decided fit with no comebacks.

And in case you’re wondering, no, I am not a big, aggressive man who enjoys physical confrontation or just causing trouble - I am a 5’8” middle-aged woman who in the not-too-distant past enjoyed a 20-year career in the legal support sphere (“the corporate world”!) and so have a small idea on how one communicates properly with colleagues.

And no, I’m not in it for the short term. I am in it for as long as it continues to be fun. It’s great fun so far, for great money. You must think it’s all right too, otherwise you would’ve let years ago if it was such a dire job!

[Shadedpostie]

There are doubtless lots of reasons why they fail to retain some new recruits. Yes, a lack of flexibility with days off might be one of them. The disdain, animosity, hostility and disrespect shown by a small section of longstanding staff towards new recruits might be another big reason too. Despite the permanent job label, others may just see it as a short term job with guaranteed income for the duration and never intend to stay for anything more than a short time.

Many from the outside still see Royal Mail being the company it was before it was sold off. It also seems many new recruits are promised well payed good employment with full on the job training but in reality this doesn’t happen.

I can’t say I’ve ever seen senior members of staff been hostile to new recruits maybe a bit weary especially when someone comes in and tells them that the job is easy and that they are better than them. I’ve seen problems when management ask posties to train new members of staff with any kind of renumeration.

You could be right saying some may see it as a short term income and won’t stick around long but that is no good for the company. Being a postie takes a while to get used to like the physical side of it and learning of somewhat complicated deliveries and work methods it’s really not a job you can just pick up and go.

I've definitely seen senior members of staff groaning to managers as soon as they hear they are being put with new starters to management so it's not far off from the truth. Hell, I've heard one mouthing off to a new starter for not knowing how to tie up a walk fast enough down the aisle in my office. Let's be real here, there are a number of us that have a huge chip on their shoulders and can be real douchebags about it. There's several comments on here that prove that. It depends on office to office but probably guaranteed to get a few bad eggs here and there with a company this size. Doesn't mean the majority of us are like that.

As fair new recruits now seeing this job as a short term gap? Can you honestly really blame them at this point? Realistically, there really isn't much going on in terms of career progression so that's out the window, then the fact that they are on worse conditions than us is another thing. Yes, they signed up on them conditions but to then whilst working with different postie's that they are getting paid significantly more than you, doing the same job mind you is going to rub people the wrong way. If you are someone on these new contracts and you stuck out for this long, I'd commend you for it cuz I sure as hell wouldn't be staying this long. What the company needs to do is scrape this nonsense contracts and revert to the older ones if they want to retain the recruits. That and not deliberately putting them on rounds that haven't been out for days or weeks. But, of course having Royal Mail do the right thing is gonna be the day Hell freezes over .

[steve1873]

Could the last one to leave turn the lights out please!

Sad, sad times!

[Redacer]

A few years ago I overheard a long termer complain to a manager why he had been put with a newbe (me). He was arguing quite aggressively. I walked around the corner and confronted him and asked him if he had a problem. His face hit the floor and he walked off.

Later when we finished quite early he asked me to drop him off at his home as was always done, and then I would take the van back and unload. I loved the look on his face when I said no.

[Shadedpostie]

A few years ago I overheard a long termer complain to a manager why he had been put with a newbe (me). He was arguing quite aggressively. I walked around the corner and confronted him and asked him if he had a problem. His face hit the floor and he walked off.

Later when we finished quite early he asked me to drop him off at his home as was always done, and then I would take the van back and unload. I loved the look on his face when I said no.

Good on you my dude Most of them are complete p*ssies whenever they get confronted like that. Easy to talk s**t behind your back but not a clue how to react when someone stands up to them!

[Nickvilla20]

I can’t say I’ve ever seen senior members of staff been hostile to new recruits maybe a bit weary especially when someone comes in and tells them that the job is easy and that they are better than them. I’ve seen problems when management ask posties to train new members of staff with any kind of renumeration.

Then you haven’t looked hard enough, mate, or you are part of the problem yourself. Indeed, your reference to “senior staff” or the inference you are in some way “senior” gives a tangible glimpse to the chip on your shoulder. i take it you mean you are a LONGSTANDING employee. The only “senior members of staff” I know of are managers, supervisors and the like.

Let me be very clear, the rudeness and hostility I identify absolutely isn’t everybody – indeed, there are some great longstanding staff who really are excellent –but there is a small but significant clique who make it their business to pick on on new recruits, e.g. marching up to new recruits and going “Which one of you parked your van in my f***ing space? Make sure you don’t park in my space again”, “Oh, that bin is for us only”, You are going to take that York back inside, aren’t you?”, “Why did you dare to adjust the seat in my van when you drove it 22 days ago?” These disrespectful, cantankerous old gits never introduce themselves or engage in pleasant conversation, just try to assert themselves and their perceived seniority. They pick on new recruits for smoking in the vicinity of the yard yet themselves smoke on the loading bank itself while talking loudly - and disparagingly - about agency and new starters.

I personally put up with some of this rudeness for a few months while agency, until I eventually turned round and truly let rip with one such bully, making a point of ruining him in front of all his “mates”. It was wholly worthwhile as I gained some eventual respect from them all. Well enjoyed it too! Was worried I had overstepped the mark with some of my comments becoming a bit too personal – but my manager was entirely supportive of my actions and told me I was free to respond “in the playground” as I decided fit with no comebacks.

And in case you’re wondering, no, I am not a big, aggressive man who enjoys physical confrontation or just causing trouble - I am a 5’8” middle-aged woman who in the not-too-distant past enjoyed a 20-year career in the legal support sphere (“the corporate world”!) and so have a small idea on how one communicates properly with colleagues.

And no, I’m not in it for the short term. I am in it for as long as it continues to be fun. It’s great fun so far, for great money. You must think it’s all right too, otherwise you would’ve let years ago if it was such a dire job!

I’m glad you are enjoying the job and hope you do stay long term seems you are an asset to the company.

As with your experiences with other members of staff I haven’t seen it as bad as what you make out but I’m in no doubt it happens. Personally I would have no problems helping a new member of staff to get used to and learn the job.

The problems I’ve seen is when a manager just dumps a new starter at someone’s frame and just walks away and leaves them to get on with it. Training is literally none existent in the job now.

I see you are working in London offices and from what I can gather from the few posties who have transferred from London offices the culture is very different from most other offices.

[fb1969]

While I was at RM there was a pretty big divide between full time and part time staff. The longer term full timers were the worst for it, possibly because they had never been part time themselves. Comments such as "bloody part timers" and "f***ing part timers" were fairly common. Things weren't helped by managers and the union rep who always held huddles before the part timers start time.

The company don't need to divde the workforce as the workforce is more than capable of doing it themselves.

[Hyrrokkin]

A few years ago I overheard a long termer complain to a manager why he had been put with a newbe (me). He was arguing quite aggressively. I walked around the corner and confronted him and asked him if he had a problem. His face hit the floor and he walked off.

Later when we finished quite early he asked me to drop him off at his home as was always done, and then I would take the van back and unload. I loved the look on his face when I said no.

Good on you my dude Most of them are complete p*ssies whenever they get confronted like that. Easy to talk s**t behind your back but not a clue how to react when someone stands up to them!

100%
RM is full of back stabbing two face w*****s looking to cause trouble - you know the type...loudmouth banter bullies who will run to the manager and grass you up to cause trouble

[Mr Rush]

Many from the outside still see Royal Mail being the company it was before it was sold off.

I'm only half-joking when I say people's perception of the job is warped by watching Postman Pat. A recently departed new starter said he couldn't believe the pace that was expected of him.

Too many now begin their first week out of training being thrown in at the deep end on a solo walk that hasn't been out in days. That's predictably led to hardly anyone sticking the job so it seems they've changed tack and started putting them on P&L duties. That comes with its own issues as the aforementioned pace means your partner is almost certainly going to see you as a burden if you don't know the loops inside-out (less so these days since a clear frame is like Camelot).

I think non-coaches training someone was less contentious before P&L when the two of you would split the duty and finish early.

[Smoothbackground]

Thank you, Nickvilla and others, for your kind words and sentiments. And absolutely, this is a minority - only talking 10-15% of the longstanding staff being like this. The vast, vast majority are a great bunch of guys and girls who work very hard day in and day out, having a good laugh and a bit of banter along the way.

Just to clarify, the chaps who us new starters have had gripes and words with are not anything to do with us - they haven’t trained us, coached us or worked with us in any way whatsoever. Our WPC would be entirely justified in moaning about us all to all and sundry - he has the patience of a saint and the skills of a teacher - and so too would be our van buddies be justified in moaning about us, but actually they sing our praises to management when asked to give feedback (yes, hard to believe!).

[qwerty2]

While I was at RM there was a pretty big divide between full time and part time staff. The longer term full timers were the worst for it, possibly because they had never been part time themselves. Comments such as "bloody part timers" and "f***ing part timers" were fairly common. Things weren't helped by managers and the union rep who always held huddles before the part timers start time.

The company don't need to divde the workforce as the workforce is more than capable of doing it themselves.

If RM get their way everyone will be PT

[LouBarlow]

Thank you, Nickvilla and others, for your kind words and sentiments. And absolutely, this is a minority - only talking 10-15% of the longstanding staff being like this. The vast, vast majority are a great bunch of guys and girls who work very hard day in and day out, having a good laugh and a bit of banter along the way.

Just to clarify, the chaps who us new starters have had gripes and words with are not anything to do with us - they haven’t trained us, coached us or worked with us in any way whatsoever. Our WPC would be entirely justified in moaning about us all to all and sundry - he has the patience of a saint and the skills of a teacher - and so too would be our van buddies be justified in moaning about us, but actually they sing our praises to management when asked to give feedback (yes, hard to believe!).

I think this clique is generally being weeded out now as these old timers are retiring. It is definitely the old guard who are like this in our office. I have to admit though we are quite a big office and have quite a turn over of staff so I wouldn’t claim to know the names of every single person. If you don’t interact with some people because of being in different sections I think it is natural to not know everyone in a 100+ staff office. It’s nothing personal and likely down to my old brain in my case.

[jagger]

I can’t say I’ve ever seen senior members of staff been hostile to new recruits maybe a bit weary especially when someone comes in and tells them that the job is easy and that they are better than them. I’ve seen problems when management ask posties to train new members of staff with any kind of renumeration.

Then you haven’t looked hard enough, mate, or you are part of the problem yourself. Indeed, your reference to “senior staff” or the inference you are in some way “senior” gives a tangible glimpse to the chip on your shoulder. i take it you mean you are a LONGSTANDING employee. The only “senior members of staff” I know of are managers, supervisors and the like.

Let me be very clear, the rudeness and hostility I identify absolutely isn’t everybody – indeed, there are some great longstanding staff who really are excellent –but there is a small but significant clique who make it their business to pick on on new recruits, e.g. marching up to new recruits and going “Which one of you parked your van in my f***ing space? Make sure you don’t park in my space again”, “Oh, that bin is for us only”, You are going to take that York back inside, aren’t you?”, “Why did you dare to adjust the seat in my van when you drove it 22 days ago?” These disrespectful, cantankerous old gits never introduce themselves or engage in pleasant conversation, just try to assert themselves and their perceived seniority. They pick on new recruits for smoking in the vicinity of the yard yet themselves smoke on the loading bank itself while talking loudly - and disparagingly - about agency and new starters.

I personally put up with some of this rudeness for a few months while agency, until I eventually turned round and truly let rip with one such bully, making a point of ruining him in front of all his “mates”. It was wholly worthwhile as I gained some eventual respect from them all. Well enjoyed it too! Was worried I had overstepped the mark with some of my comments becoming a bit too personal – but my manager was entirely supportive of my actions and told me I was free to respond “in the playground” as I decided fit with no comebacks.

And in case you’re wondering, no, I am not a big, aggressive man who enjoys physical confrontation or just causing trouble - I am a 5’8” middle-aged woman who in the not-too-distant past enjoyed a 20-year career in the legal support sphere (“the corporate world”!) and so have a small idea on how one communicates properly with colleagues.

And no, I’m not in it for the short term. I am in it for as long as it continues to be fun. It’s great fun so far, for great money. You must think it’s all right too, otherwise you would’ve let years ago if it was such a dire job!

You worked for 20 years in the “corporate world” in London and think Royal Mail is great pay?