Worst mistake a new starter has made/can make?

[Pmn]

Apart from 'applying in the first place'.

I'm finally starting as a full timer in a couple of weeks just wondering what your experiences have been with newbies? Also, from what I've read on here, it seems like Royal Mail have a big problem with retaining staff? Would that be accurate?

[saga]

The motto for new starters should be - sink or swim.

[Edward Hunter]

Watch out for unusual items. Newbies in our office will deliver anything with a stamp on, paper plates that have had someones breakfast on,filets from the sorting frame, etc. Not that us posties would have anything to do with it

[Pmn]

The motto for new starters should be - sink or swim.

Sounds very much like my previous employers. I was expected to know everything from day one. In that respect, an Induction day is actually an improvement!

Watch out for unusual items. Newbies in our office will deliver anything with a stamp on, paper plates that have had someones breakfast on,filets from the sorting frame, etc. Not that us posties would have anything to do with it

I'm a dopey sod - I'm bound to fall for any pranks.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It might sound stupid but check the house number of every address when you first start delivering. We had one lad here who delivered one street say 1- 23 (but No Number 13 in this street)ok, but then on the next street which did have a No 13 he did fine till No 11 then from 13 onwards he has delivering the mail 1 House wrong all they way up till about 81 or 83.

[coaster]

Also not only check numbers but also the street. The occasional missorts can leave you with customers running down the street after you, clutching a single piece of mailsort (junk), which was for down the road. (right number, wrong street).

Well done on getting a FULL TIME contract, rarer than rocking horse s**t them.

The motto for new starters should be - sink or swim.

[Darren Bent]

Never think about something else while delivering as one slip, mistake.

[dididw]

Just remember to come in early, use your own car, dont take a break, run round, leave your D2D for soebody else to deliver & dont claim if you go over your house.
They will deffo keep you on !!!

[dididw]

Just remember to come in early, use your own car, dont take a break, run round, leave your D2D for soebody else to deliver & dont claim if you go over your hours.
They will deffo keep you on !!!

[dididw]

Just remember to come in early, use your own car, dont take a break, run round, leave your D2D for soebody else to deliver & dont claim if you go over your hours.
They will deffo keep you on !!!

[dididw]

hours not house LOL

[rhino49]

Don't make assumptions - what you see is not always what it appears to be.

My first week on the job I asked an elderly lady if all the cards I had been delivering to her house were for a special occasion - shed replied "my husband just died" and burst into tears - for once I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.

[leiwolf]

Worst mistake that can be made, is to believe anything managers tell you, some are decent but most are corrupt evil lying sods who gets off on making life difficult for the normal postie

[doveston]

never knew they was taking on full timers

[carsnooty]

welcome to royal mail, make sure you get a map of your walk as we had a new guy who said that he knew where he was going and off he went and ended up posting mail for a street on another's posties walk. He never got any better as we were getting people coming in with mail for different towns as well. He never lasted long which was a shame as for all his faults he was keen as hell lol.