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first week

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
arty_morty
Posts: 282
Joined: 24 Jun 2010, 13:07
Gender: Male
Location: London

first week

Post by arty_morty »

I start as an opg/driver on Monday. I have an induction on Monday and then. The rest of the week at my office. Any ideas on what I should expect and how to prepare? Thanks.
I staged a Roger Moore impersonator festival in my local village. There were a lot of eyebrows raised, I can tell you.
postie222
Posts: 177
Joined: 25 Mar 2010, 09:39
Gender: Male

Re: first week

Post by postie222 »

Hi
You should be shown the ropes with the office coach. They should leave you on a regular round so you can get settled in. Become a union member because managers are not always forecoming with what your rights are.
good luck
torapeach
Posts: 37
Joined: 03 Aug 2009, 15:19
Gender: Male

Re: first week

Post by torapeach »

Hi m8
Welcome to RM I have just resigned after 4 years but thought I would give you my tuppence worth Show you are keen take your time and learn always ask questions no question is ever stupid get introduced to your union rep and get his phone number,make sure you book overtime if you go over don't let them pressure you to speed up that will come with time. Take your breaks and also transport that is available to you and don't take short cuts.
Oh and you will soon make your mind up with who is a real manager and who is not.
Enjoy your new job and good luck
countyboy
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 121
Joined: 03 Dec 2009, 17:48
Gender: Male

Re: first week

Post by countyboy »

Well,,,depends on where you are I suppose,,,I never had a seconds training and still dont know who the union rep is,,,One phrase springs to mind,,,"Sink or Swim " :crazy:
krussel
Posts: 5300
Joined: 26 Jan 2009, 18:03
Gender: Male
Location: Out on the streets.

Re: first week

Post by krussel »

Make sure to wear some well worn in shoes and don’t try to start with new ones or you will get blisters straight away. Just take your time as it will appear that everyone is rushing around in the mornings your own speed will come with experience.

Good luck if your not sure about anything or have any questions remember to come back and ask and we will try to help you. :Very Happy
Rows of houses all bearing down on me........I can feel their blue hands touching me.......All these things in all positions.........All these things will one day take control..........
wiganpostie
Posts: 670
Joined: 09 Mar 2010, 20:16
Gender: Male

Re: first week

Post by wiganpostie »

What they said. But I'll say it again anyway - you are entitled to book overtime if you go past your contracted hours, so make sure you do. After a few days it will probably become apparent that you are going past your hours, so ask your line manager how to book the overtime ( again, don't feel intimidated into not booking it because you are the new guy - you are perfectly entitled to it). Find out who your union rep is and join the CWU asap - they might sometimes be s**t, but they are the only thing standing between us and minimum wage slavery (although for how much longer is anyone's guess).

Good luck :)
arty_morty
Posts: 282
Joined: 24 Jun 2010, 13:07
Gender: Male
Location: London

Re: first week

Post by arty_morty »

Cheers for the advice. I'm actually really looking forward to my first day. I'll post my thoughts again on Monday, they may have changed!

Just a word on how things have changed. I used to be a betting shop manager for ladbrokes. When I joined in 1988 it was a great place to work unrecognisable from the place I left 13 years later. However new starters still thought it was a good place to be. us old timers knew better though.

I'm hoping that I'll find the same at RM. A great place to work but maybe not what it was.
I staged a Roger Moore impersonator festival in my local village. There were a lot of eyebrows raised, I can tell you.
fishtank
Posts: 19732
Joined: 28 Sep 2007, 17:22
Gender: Male

Re: first week

Post by fishtank »

arty_morty wrote:Cheers for the advice. I'm actually really looking forward to my first day. I'll post my thoughts again on Monday, they may have changed!

Just a word on how things have changed. I used to be a betting shop manager for ladbrokes. When I joined in 1988 it was a great place to work unrecognisable from the place I left 13 years later. However new starters still thought it was a good place to be. us old timers knew better though.

I'm hoping that I'll find the same at RM. A great place to work but maybe not what it was.
Well you certainly woudn't recognise Ladbrokes now,i have two on my delivery and they look more like amusement arcades than bookies now.
No flat caps,no whippets,no thick smokescreen just men and women :shock: pumping the tax credits into roulette machines. :crazy:
good times, bad times you know I've had my share
pickaname
Posts: 1467
Joined: 11 Sep 2007, 20:24

Re: first week

Post by pickaname »

Most people start stary eyed, willing to push the boat out to show RM they are willing and up for a permanent 40 hour contract.

After a while you will realise that all the favours and extra you do will account for absolutely nothing. RM dont care about you - this you will learn either the hard way or the easy way.

As long as the mail leaves the office and the sun rises on another day all is well in management eyes.

Dont expect too much from the job - its s**t at the end of the day.

Afterall, you are just ramming paper through a hold in a lump of wood arent you?
hampshireman
Posts: 792
Joined: 18 Dec 2009, 15:17
Gender: Male

Re: first week

Post by hampshireman »

arty_morty wrote:I start as an opg/driver on Monday. I have an induction on Monday and then. The rest of the week at my office. Any ideas on what I should expect and how to prepare? Thanks.
Will echo many of the comments posted.

Ensure that you know how to and do book overtime.

Do not be intimidated if some managers try and dissuade you.

Ensure you check thatt you have been paid what you claimed.

Whatever happens stay calm. It's not a race. When you see the experienced posties rushing out and you still have much to prep. Don't worry.

Don't allow drivers to hassle you for your bags!!! They either have to come back to get them or the management can sort that out.

Try to remember that it will get easier.. and that you will find that house that is not displaying a name or number!!!

Also; and this is echoed many times on here... Do work your time
krussel
Posts: 5300
Joined: 26 Jan 2009, 18:03
Gender: Male
Location: Out on the streets.

Re: first week

Post by krussel »

pickaname wrote:After all, you are just ramming paper through a hole in a lump of wood arent you?
:left:

Have you been speaking to my ex wife as that pretty much how she saw my job as well :left: :d'oh!
Rows of houses all bearing down on me........I can feel their blue hands touching me.......All these things in all positions.........All these things will one day take control..........