Research: How has being a postie changed?

[danf1]

As part of your 'research' have you contacted Royal Mail HR to get their point of view? It would be interesting to see, perhaps you could post their responses?

Yes, I would like to talk to Royal Mail at some point, but I am yet to contact them.

[danf1]

So since the job has changed so much, and not for the better, in your working conditions, workload, relations with management etc, what makes it all bearable? What gets you through the day?

[stokes11eg]

That's the point--it's now unbearable. It's only desperation to have a wage coming in that keeps us working
for this company.

[danf1]

Could you describe 'a day in the life' of a postie?

[ass asin]

r u taking the piss?? danf1

[danf1]

I'm not taking the piss and I'm sorry if it seemed that way, that was not my intention.

What I meant is, I would like to know a bit more about the non-delivery side of the job, the side that doesn't get seen by the public. What's the work like there and what's the banter like?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

r u taking the piss?? danf1

He's not check out his other posts he is being upfront - help him out

[stokes11eg]

Well--in the days when you were allowed to talk and work at the same time, the banter was mainly good fun.
(check out this board, and you'll see what it used to be like)
There is no banter now, it's not allowed, truly--we are constantly being told to shut up. The work is almost unworkable now,, like the outside element we are expected to do the impossible. Most of us have and always will give a hundred % and more to our jobs, regardless of the Public Perception of us(thanks to R/M of course, constantly inferring to the press that we are all workshy balshie no gooders)

[danf1]

Is this one of the reasons why this site gets used so much? Somewhere to engage in the banter and talk about stuff to do with work freely? How important is this site in that way and why?

[stokes11eg]

This site for me at least, is a lifeline in many ways.I used to stupidly think all offices were run on the same lines--after all that is what we are told---Ha. Ha. through this site you can see how much variance there is.
AND just how terrible R/M really is in it's treatment of it's workers. (WE can't all be wrong!)
And yes--you can indulge in a little good humoured banter, always good for relieving the stress!I think one of the most valuable things about this site, is most folks come on asking for advice, and everyone is ready to help.
Our company is very good at splitting ranks, and making Posties feel we are working in isolation---this board gives us a feeling of solidarity.

[opgpat]

Hi Dan - there is no typical DO, every one is different with diff managers and it's the attitude of the managers that largely creates the various working environments you'll find. Our DO is a totally diff place now we have a decent manager. So the bullying has gone but the rediculous ammounts of work remain. There is very little time for 'banter' esp if you are part-time. And there is no typical 'banter' as there is a wide spectrum of 'types' in the job and their chat reflects this. You have graduates, career changers and school leavers in the job, male, female, hetro, homo, black, white, Brits, foreign, you name it. On a heavy day you will be non-stop for 7 hrs or so with time for only a few brief comments with collegues before you set off on delivery. New larger frames are being set out in 'U' or 'L' shapes with the postie working at the bottom of the 'U' meaning they won't be able to see collegues while prepping mail and so have to work in silence with only 3rd rate local commercial radio for company. The way the job is going mental health I think will be a big future issue. A lonely, isolating, stresssful job at times and it's only getting worse.