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A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.

Would you recommend a postie job to anyone?

Yes
29
6%
No
446
94%
 
Total votes: 475

postslippete
Posts: 4101
Joined: 14 Jul 2014, 16:27
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by postslippete »

Mr Rush wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 17:40
postslippete wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 06:54
Pay isn't amazing but it's not exactly the most skilled job out there.
It was never about skill. We were 50% above minimum wage (for which the company boasted about as recently as 2018) in order to attract people to a highly physical job. Surprise, since then they can't keep staff on minimum wage + change for a Freddo.

Fair point. It was never about qualifications but making the pay decent enough to attract people willing to do the graft. Since the company has squeezed this it's no surprise that they struggle to keep staff.
On the face of it, shareholder value is the dumbest idea in the world.
SkiSunday
Posts: 790
Joined: 05 Jan 2025, 18:19
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by SkiSunday »

Mr Rush wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 17:40
postslippete wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 06:54
Pay isn't amazing but it's not exactly the most skilled job out there.
It was never about skill. We were 50% above minimum wage (for which the company boasted about as recently as 2018) in order to attract people to a highly physical job. Surprise, since then they can't keep staff on minimum wage + change for a Freddo.
Bring back the 5p Tazos and that'll be the UK fixed! :thumbup
SkiSunday
Posts: 790
Joined: 05 Jan 2025, 18:19
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by SkiSunday »

chickenwittle wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 16:41
I take it you will all be handing your notice in shortly as there is much better out there for unskilled workers ?
I take it you would wholeheartedly tell your family members and loved ones to get a job at RM pounding the pavements 6 hours a day for £12.54PH Kim Jong Un? :left: :crazy:
nuisance
Posts: 215
Joined: 06 Oct 2016, 12:57
Gender: Female

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by nuisance »

chickenwittle wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 16:41
I take it you will all be handing your notice in shortly as there is much better out there for unskilled workers ?
I did. There is, it turns out.

I wouldn't recommend it now as anything more than a stop gap while finding something else, it really doesn't pay enough for what it is. I'm on better money now than on the old contracts, better contracted hours - no relying on withheld/ onslaughts of overtime, no one's shouting at each other, no one's crying, the day's work is typically completed about 30 minutes before finish time and my feet no longer hurt all the time. There's no dignity at RM now, so how could you recommend working there?
qwerty2
Posts: 1980
Joined: 30 Jun 2009, 00:42
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by qwerty2 »

nuisance wrote:
28 Jun 2025, 14:56
chickenwittle wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 16:41
I take it you will all be handing your notice in shortly as there is much better out there for unskilled workers ?
I did. There is, it turns out.

I wouldn't recommend it now as anything more than a stop gap while finding something else, it really doesn't pay enough for what it is. I'm on better money now than on the old contracts, better contracted hours - no relying on withheld/ onslaughts of overtime, no one's shouting at each other, no one's crying, the day's work is typically completed about 30 minutes before finish time and my feet no longer hurt all the time. There's no dignity at RM now, so how could you recommend working there?
What job is it then? Just being nosey :cuppa
TopperGas
Posts: 3285
Joined: 13 Feb 2021, 22:46
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by TopperGas »

nuisance wrote:
28 Jun 2025, 14:56
chickenwittle wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 16:41
I take it you will all be handing your notice in shortly as there is much better out there for unskilled workers ?
I did. There is, it turns out.

I wouldn't recommend it now as anything more than a stop gap while finding something else, it really doesn't pay enough for what it is. I'm on better money now than on the old contracts, better contracted hours - no relying on withheld/ onslaughts of overtime, no one's shouting at each other, no one's crying, the day's work is typically completed about 30 minutes before finish time and my feet no longer hurt all the time. There's no dignity at RM now, so how could you recommend working there?
Work completed 30.mins before finishing time, must be a pub or a chippy?
nuisance
Posts: 215
Joined: 06 Oct 2016, 12:57
Gender: Female

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by nuisance »

Warehouse.
wilkco
Posts: 4
Joined: 20 Jan 2025, 20:16
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by wilkco »

From a new starter view point I would say no. Very antiquated rules for annual leave, must take weeks very unlikely to get the odd day off. Payroll is nearly always wrong and had to work out where it is wrong. Old uniform rules ie not until in job for six months.

Shift pattern does not encourage younger generation into the job kids now have it drilled into them work life balance and the new contracts no way allow for that ie majority weekend working think the youngest age in our DO is about 24 ish average age is late 40’s
hewittinspain
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 264
Joined: 20 May 2013, 21:24
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by hewittinspain »

chickenwittle wrote:
27 Jun 2025, 16:41
I take it you will all be handing your notice in shortly as there is much better out there for unskilled workers ?
Why settle for being unskilled all your life? Is that how you value yourself?
A lad I know passed his class 2 LGV, left Royal Mail and earns £10,000 more a year than his RM wage delivering bread for Warburtons to Farmfoods etc, home at 4pm each day and never works a weekend. Says his energy levels have improved lots and wished he had made the step years ago.
Trouble with some people at RM who have been there years is the fact it's all they know and are frightened of making the jump. Huge changes are coming and will hit us like a train. This job will ruin your body (if it hasn't done already). All for £27k a year
SpacePhoenix
MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
Posts: 12007
Joined: 12 Nov 2008, 17:03
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by SpacePhoenix »

I think within 5 years, 10 years absolute tops, none of us will recognise any aspect of the job, be it in a MC or a DO.
HTPostman
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1500
Joined: 01 Sep 2008, 23:53
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by HTPostman »

100% no.

The 5 main negatives I had from 10 years of Royal Mail were as follows:

-Poor organisation. Everything from indoors where everyone was blocking each other, to vans not being given allocated spots so if you were sent out early you had to move 7 vans first.

-Common sense. It was a real bugbear of mine. Examples include people driving 3 miles to deliver a special to a row of 3 cut off houses only to return there later (why not deliver everything when you are there). Or delivering to houses off a busy street and constantly turning right against the traffic (why not just start at the top and then you’re always turning left). So many people had it in their head they’ve always done something a certain way, even if it made zero sense.

-Rewarding failure. Bonuses for managers linked to tracked parcels and employee surveys is an absolute farce. Likewise workplace coaches (some were good, some refused to do any kind of coaching and yet continued to receive payment).

-2 tier? More like 4 tiers. Everyone treated differently depending on what your contract is, how loud you shout etc.

-No help from the union. The last 3 things I went to them with I was either fobbed off or ignored. When you needed their support such as being moved 4 out of 5 days even though you have a signed for duty, they’d just say it is what it is.


Sadly I think the perception from most of the public is you just deliver to a couple of streets, have a cup of tea then you’re home by 11am. So people will continue to sign up and it’s a real shock to the system.
The day is gonna come when we’re all gonna have to testify.

526
datasaint
Posts: 1541
Joined: 22 Sep 2008, 17:19
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by datasaint »

The job is ruined. Too much monitoring not enough pay.
SkiSunday
Posts: 790
Joined: 05 Jan 2025, 18:19
Gender: Male

Re: A 2025 vote on whether you would recommend a postal workers job nowadays.

Post by SkiSunday »

6% yes, 94% no is f***ing diabolical :left: