First Week as a Postie : Views

[TrueBlueTerrier]

now nto my second week.... and on my 3rd route.... new complaint...

why do people not have numbers on ther doors.. or even a little label or sticker in the window like one place i saw today....

and why do so many streets not have road name plates up on posts or on walls...
trying to find the roads for deliveries today was getting me so frustrated as i couldnt find which road was xyz street, which was xyz lane, and which was xyz drive etc... nearly had me in tears i was getting so stressed about it.... especially when i was out on my lonesome.. when the other guy that was with me (only been there a week longer than me) f***ed of to do deliveries on the main street...

When I first started I got myself an A-Z of the local area and made sure it was in my bag at all times. Still have it as well and posties are always asking to borrow it. Its a bit extra to carry round but if you are in an area you don't know well it can be a great help.

[Darren Bent]

Get yourself Google earth and type in address then the map will be shown and you can print it out and use it for work. It is lighter than A-Z but it wouldn't help if you change walk at moment notice.

[discoinferno]

now nto my second week.... and on my 3rd route.... new complaint...

why do people not have numbers on ther doors.. or even a little label or sticker in the window like one place i saw today....

and why do so many streets not have road name plates up on posts or on walls...
trying to find the roads for deliveries today was getting me so frustrated as i couldnt find which road was xyz street, which was xyz lane, and which was xyz drive etc... nearly had me in tears i was getting so stressed about it.... especially when i was out on my lonesome.. when the other guy that was with me (only been there a week longer than me) f***ed of to do deliveries on the main street...

Ask your dom for a one page map , he should be able to print you one off for the selected route using the postcode you are in,its what my ex postie mate use to do or ask for the walk log there should be one in there?..

[cj_1985]

Week 3:
Took the advice i recieved from various folk on this forum, and purchased a small A-Z Map book to keep in my pouch.. and im happy to say its so far (only needed it for 3 days out of the 5 days iv worked this week) paid for itself in saving me making an A**e of myself asking the normals where such and a street is...

Had 3 days where i have worked solo on 3 different walks (4 walks if you include 1 hour overtime on a solo walk)
Aside from panicing and stressing about tieing down the frame.. and obviously not telling my Line Manager/DOM that i was panicing
The same old problems .. ie. No Waterproofs during a week where is basically either p***ed down with rain... or pelted me with Hale stones... although i will give the trainer i was paired with on monday his due.. he did loan me one of his waterproof jackets for the day

Failed to deliver to a home yesterday as i had to finish early due to a dentist appointment
informed my Manager this morning ... no problems...
If i have made any silly mistakes like a letter through the wrong door or whatever i have said to him quite simply because for one thing its in my head that i may be being tested, and IF a customer complains so he knows about it before he gets an angry punter chewing his ear.
Other than that i failed to deliver to an address this afternoon due to a rather angry dog in the garden and no owner in sight.

im getting there... but im still getting stressed about silly little things and i am still not as quick as i would like at my rounds... and tieing down... but thats gonna take time i guess...

[NickiKitten]

Your probably not far wrong, the letters and packets may have a similar smell everyday and thats the smell that the dogs associate with us.

It has been explained that the reason why dogs do not get on with posties is for one of the following reasons:

1. Red is seen as a danger signal to them and we carry round a big red bag.

Dogs see in shades of grey!
There I go again using my National Diploma in Animal Care thats otherwise goes completly wasted!

[smarterdarter]

Your probably not far wrong, the letters and packets may have a similar smell everyday and thats the smell that the dogs associate with us.

It has been explained that the reason why dogs do not get on with posties is for one of the following reasons:

1. Red is seen as a danger signal to them and we carry round a big red bag.

Dogs see in shades of grey!
There I go again using my National Diploma in Animal Care thats otherwise goes completly wasted!

And a terrier should know that.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Your probably not far wrong, the letters and packets may have a similar smell everyday and thats the smell that the dogs associate with us.

It has been explained that the reason why dogs do not get on with posties is for one of the following reasons:

1. Red is seen as a danger signal to them and we carry round a big red bag.

Dogs see in shades of grey!
There I go again using my National Diploma in Animal Care thats otherwise goes completly wasted!

And a terrier should know that.

[kwf166]

Don't forget height of postbox ie ankle height is worst place to reach. Also lovely/awful dogs waiting to attack/play you for delivering the letters to protect their terrority. ie Guard dogs/terriers breed.

Yes I found these letter boxes a real pain, and of cause the dogs waiting for you, they seem to be able to sniff you a mile away

[kwf166]

with the Uniform issue.. explain this to me...
we start work and get a basic uniform to start us of for the first 6 weeks...
however i dont understand how they can expect us to go out in all weathers with just a fleece jacket...
i mean today i was out and it was chucking it down... and i was lucky i managed to borrow a fleece but its not suitable for rain.

now general gripes about the public...
why does every F***ing door have its letter box at a different height... now i get its a personal choice and that we have a duty to deliver the mail to every door irespective of location of the letter box it just make it a more difficult job, even when the letter box flap doesnt have anythng to grip to lift it in those odd cases.

other than these i have no problems with the job and really enjoy it.. was even more surprised when i got a payslip for this week when i was told i wouldnt get paid till next week... but im not complaining

This is what confuses me, one of the first questions they fire at you in the interview, are you prepare to work in all weather conditions, and of cause you answer yes to get the job, but why isn't royal mail prepare for these weather conditions and providing it staff with the right sort of uniforms to do the job? I too have to borrow a raincoat, still got no water proof trousers,or even a nice new rain coat, although I been told they are not that good,but the point is, you wouldn't see firemen going into a house without suitable equipment.

[POSTMAN]

with the Uniform issue.. explain this to me...
we start work and get a basic uniform to start us of for the first 6 weeks...
however i dont understand how they can expect us to go out in all weathers with just a fleece jacket...
i mean today i was out and it was chucking it down... and i was lucky i managed to borrow a fleece but its not suitable for rain.

now general gripes about the public...
why does every F***ing door have its letter box at a different height... now i get its a personal choice and that we have a duty to deliver the mail to every door irespective of location of the letter box it just make it a more difficult job, even when the letter box flap doesnt have anythng to grip to lift it in those odd cases.

other than these i have no problems with the job and really enjoy it.. was even more surprised when i got a payslip for this week when i was told i wouldnt get paid till next week... but im not complaining

This is what confuses me, one of the first questions they fire at you in the interview, are you prepare to work in all weather conditions, and of cause you answer yes to get the job, but why isn't royal mail prepare for these weather conditions and providing it staff with the right sort of uniforms to do the job? I too have to borrow a raincoat, still got no water proof trousers,or even a nice new rain coat, although I been told they are not that good,but the point is, you wouldn't see firemen going into a house without suitable equipment.

As always in these kind of situations forget the DOM/Manager see your union rep,he/she will put you right.
Takes about 2 weeks in my experience to get stuff once you've ordered it.

The situation for new starters is a joke!

[cj_1985]

only problem i have had and am havong this week is that the hat isnt big enough... my neck if red from being out in the sun and its quite uncomfortable...

and i dont have any desire to look like a yob and wear my hat backwards then end up with a burnt nose...

especially since this week is meant to be absolutly scorching...

[Phantom]

So do you know about cutting off if you don't want to work over your finishing time?

Do you know the procedure for claiming overtime?

Do you know how long your break time is?

Have you thought about joining the union?

[axeman]

Just wait till summer lapsing and the job and a half syndrome then you will have blisters never mind a bit of redness

[cj_1985]

So do you know about cutting off if you don't want to work over your finishing time?

Do you know the procedure for claiming overtime?

Do you know how long your break time is?

Have you thought about joining the union?

1# I understand it... however unless i have some reason to finish early im happy to work on as i need the money
2# i understand the procedure for claiming overtime
3# i dont know how long my break is/should be due to my contract being on a part time basis
4# i have joined... just waiting for written confirmation

[TrueBlueTerrier]

So do you know about cutting off if you don't want to work over your finishing time?

Do you know the procedure for claiming overtime?

Do you know how long your break time is?

Have you thought about joining the union?

1# I understand it... however unless i have some reason to finish early im happy to work on as i need the money
2# i understand the procedure for claiming overtime
3# i dont know how long my break is/should be due to my contract being on a part time basis
4# i have joined... just waiting for written confirmation

No 3 - Attendance length total breaks probable pattern

Less than 2 hours 30 minutes none (a 10 min grace break should be provided if work permits)
2 hours 30 to 3 hours 10 mins 10
3 hours 1 to 3 hours 30 15 mins 15
3 hours 31 to 4 hours 59 20 mins 20
5 hours to 7 hours 30 mins 30
7 hours 1 to 8 hours 59 40 mins 40 or 20 + 20
9 hours to 10 hours 59 50 mins 30 + 20
11 hours to 12 hours 59 60 mins 40 + 20 or 30 + 30
13 hours or longer 70 mins 40 + 30

No 4 - it took about 2 months for me to get confirmation, but you are a member once you sign the paper work.