First Day Tommrow, Any Tips/Advice?

[bandit650]

I fear that we have all failed this poor young mis-guided person,i think we should have told him the truth and given him/her the correct advice.

1.Walk into the said office and assess the place around you.

2. Smile at the toady faced manager that is lying to you.

3.Thank the staff for thier time.

4.Turn around and run screaming from the office.

[Wyrdlight]

Firstly I would like to thank the people who have posted useful tips etc. My post had way more replies than I thought it would, so thanks very much!

Here is an update on my first 3 days.

Day 1.

Sorting out dead letters, after a 5 hour run at them I managed to clear them all, in the end I had about 9 trays packed full of them all sorted. Rest fo the day was stacking yorks with empty trays and organising them etc.

- Not too hard, not as hard as I was expecting. The sorting of letters is fine, I found you sort of slip into a trance after the first 40 mins or so, I cant really remember any single moment past that point. It was all checked over and barring a few mis-sorts/mis-reads it was all good.
Day 2.
This was a more varied day, though still all "in the office" so to speak. Once again dead letters occupied most of my time, this time putting the "RTS" stickers on them, dating them etc. This was a slow job, far far slower than simply sorting them had been, I found this job harder, simply becaause it cant really be done standing up, and the stools provided are.... uncomfortable, to be polite. I can stand for hours quite comfortably, but sitting hunched up is not so nice. I spent some time sorting things into frames and turning out trays of letters ready to be sorted by others later on. I quite enjoyed this, more movement, more interactive.
- This was a tiring day, mainly due to all the hunching over, not used to it.
Day 3.
I went out on a dilivery with another postie, was a lovely chap who had had his round for a long long time, thus he knew it back to front, he could have done it blindfolded I think. I helped sort it all out before hand with him helping me if I got stuck. The deliveries were fine, though the roads were hilly, up and down alot and the driveways long, thus more walking. It was bitterly cold and raining also, we got it done in about four and half hours. I was hoping to be let home when I got back to the office (seems some casual workers get let off an hour or so early if after a delivery (mostly because its normally about 2.30-3.00 and the office is dead). But was set to unloading yorks filled with letters and stacking them in blocks to be sorted the next day. Thier were a vast number of them, more than I could reasonbly count at glance, after and hour and half or so of lifting and stacking It was off home.
- This day was, I will admit, exausting, I am fairly fit but still not used to being on my feet for over 7 hours + heavy lifting etc, was not a "bad" day, I enjoyed the deliveries, fresh air, nice householders all of whom wanted to know if I was new, did I like the job etc. Just that it was phisically tough and I think that it would wear me down in the long run.

[stokes11eg]

and we all though you had deserted us! how long is your contract for?

[Wyrdlight]

To be honest..... I dont really know lol

I seem to remember the phrase "work till the 23rd of December", so am assuming that is my "last day".

On what day to casuals get paid? The normal posties said they get paid on Fri, but I have not got my pay yet, also I assume I get a pay slip? Will I need to chase it up tommrow or will they find me so to speak?

[stokes11eg]

If you are only there for a couple of weeks, maybe you'll just get paid in a oner, at the end of your contract, but better check it out! Have you enjoyed your time with the mob. oops, sorry the company?

[Wyrdlight]

The "mob" :-) has been fine.

Some of them are a little..... sneering of us casuals. Most of them are really nice and seem glad of whatever help we can provide, most of the jobs I have been doing have been the odds and ends that I suspect take up time that could be better spent out on deliveries, what with all the back-log due to the snow. Overall I have enjoyed it for the most part, but I dont think I could do it full time-long term, its all a bit.... grey.

What I mean is I find I get home each day, and, thinking back can remember only 3 points distinctly, leaving home in the cold, having hot coffee and Amarettie biscuit at break and leaving at the end. All the "work" is sort of indistinct, as though I have been in a trance all day.

Its not bad, as I said I cant remember most of it, but its like each day I exist, but dont really live, if that makes any sense. I find it a bit depressing lol.

Its perfectly ok, and not bad work, the people are all great and the pay is fine but its a bit souless.

[POSTMAN]

Working inside all the time is brain numming and boring as s**t.
If you was to do the whole hog and do a duty that consists of indoor and outdoor work on your own like we do it's not too bad.

[baldrick]

Working inside all the time is brain numming and boring as s**t.

That's why MC staff get such looooooong breaks!

[POSTMAN]

Working inside all the time is brain numming and boring as s**t.

That's why MC staff get such looooooong breaks!

Touché.

[Dorset Plodder]

Well done for sticking it out so far This post has produced a lot of interest, and most of it has been helpful. Perhaps we're not all such a bunch of cynical bastards as some people would have you believe,
Pity the RM training scheme doesn't cover all the points that you wanted it to (yes I know it should) I'm sure if you stick it out over Christmas they'll keep you on. As to what sort of contract you'll be on? Probably be 12 week rolling contract that seems very popular at the moment. Cheers