Royal Mail workers: ‘The situation is getting worse’

[F0zziebear]

Big Daz,

You are essentially right. There is almost no chance of you getting to the top of RM. That's not mean't as a put down, but one of probability.

The only person at the top level (to my knowledge) joined on a graduate programme and has sold his soul to the business. He only got the role as the 'acting' director.

When in frontline management I was appalled at the lack of desire or confidence to do the role I was doing or other managerial roles. To me the idea should be that you can go from being a postie to management. Unfortunately there a number of reasons why this happens.

1. Going to the otherside is seen as bailing out
2. Some of the competent ones end up as union reps
3. RM do not seem to actively encourage it
4. There is no clear path into roles outside of Ops management.

There are so many roles in RM beyond being a postie or sorter of mail. Anything from engineering, finance, HR, Marketing etc. All of these roles are required for a functioning business. Someone has to design and manage the uniforms, vans, etc. even down to negotiating paper, print, elastic bands. These orders are on the scale of many millions.

I would personally put together a proposal and write directly to Jon Millidge (HR Director) and seek to speak to someone in his team about this. At worst you will hopefully get a better understanding from their end what is going on. You could contact ask allan (not sure what it is called now). Or send an email to Adam Crozier. They do get read believe it or not.

[Big Daz]

Fozz

Number 4 is spot on, I put that down in the HYS every 6 months.

Nothing ever happens though!

[concerned]

This is for Frozzie, from a member of the public. From what you say, i can see your point. I run a teeny business and yes you have to get the best and most out of your staff. What i cannot understand, is why some of the branch managers of RM treat their staff (to be frank) like cr*ap. Why can they not be realistic. In my area, a review of the round has not been done for ages, and when it last was i think it was computer generated. Last week my local postman had to wait 3 hours to gain entry to a block of flats. He was unable to get paid overtime and if he had just ignored it and not delivered - he would have been read the riot act. As a business owner,i would have gladly taken his comments and opinion and if it was reoccuring i would have contacted the building owners. RM do not seem to practice like that. As a business you have to be realistic about things - maybe it should be common for branch managers to do the rounds once in a while. Also listen to staff suggestions. In my local office where they have had to 'absorb' before their offical round they suggested that the extra work before the offical work should be done in close proximity and then everyones offical round be futher afield. To me this makes sense, it ensures that they would be back on time to start their normal round. When suggested to their manager they were told 'shut up, you will do as i say'. That kind of management is pathetic! You cant create a team like that!!! Dont you think a bit more time firstly should be spent team building? And branch managers have a DUTY to listen to their direct employees and report back (honestly) to their managers about what is and isnt working and what is realistic.

[dvbuk55]

This is for Frozzie, from a member of the public. From what you say, i can see your point. I run a teeny business and yes you have to get the best and most out of your staff. What i cannot understand, is why some of the branch managers of RM treat their staff (to be frank) like cr*ap. Why can they not be realistic. In my area, a review of the round has not been done for ages, and when it last was i think it was computer generated. Last week my local postman had to wait 3 hours to gain entry to a block of flats. He was unable to get paid overtime and if he had just ignored it and not delivered - he would have been read the riot act. As a business owner,i would have gladly taken his comments and opinion and if it was reoccuring i would have contacted the building owners. RM do not seem to practice like that. As a business you have to be realistic about things - maybe it should be common for branch managers to do the rounds once in a while. Also listen to staff suggestions. In my local office where they have had to 'absorb' before their offical round they suggested that the extra work before the offical work should be done in close proximity and then everyones offical round be futher afield. To me this makes sense, it ensures that they would be back on time to start their normal round. When suggested to their manager they were told 'shut up, you will do as i say'. That kind of management is pathetic! You cant create a team like that!!! Dont you think a bit more time firstly should be spent team building? And branch managers have a DUTY to listen to their direct employees and report back (honestly) to their managers about what is and isnt working and what is realistic.

Please come to Royal Mail and be a Manager.

[concerned]

Apparantly the manager at my local branch was a postman about 18months ago. At the same branch he now manages. Most days he managed to complete his round after 3pm (no overtime just his normal round). Now he is managing the same office where he has bullied staff into absorbing more and more and expecting them to finish by 2 when he couldnt. Personally, i think he didnt fit in with people at school so now uses his authority to repair his ego....

[dvbuk55]

Apparantly the manager at my local branch was a postman about 18months ago. At the same branch he now manages. Most days he managed to complete his round after 3pm (no overtime just his normal round). Now he is managing the same office where he has bullied staff into absorbing more and more and expecting them to finish by 2 when he couldnt. Personally, i think he didnt fit in with people at school so now uses his authority to repair his ego....

Ah yes - the big car syndrome

[norbert]

Apparantly the manager at my local branch was a postman about 18months ago. At the same branch he now manages. Most days he managed to complete his round after 3pm (no overtime just his normal round). Now he is managing the same office where he has bullied staff into absorbing more and more and expecting them to finish by 2 when he couldnt. Personally, i think he didnt fit in with people at school so now uses his authority to repair his ego....

Ah yes - the big car syndrome

usually the laziest ones as well , the drunks too - one was escorted off the premises whilst in uniform : Everyone has a price - The Dark Side Theory !