Is this job for me ?

[hotxbun]

Hi, newbie here.

Started as a part time postie last week, 30 hrs a week, but - surprise surprise - it's not going quite as I'd hoped.

Knew it'd be hard for the 1st few weeks and had a "take it one day at a time" attitude, but I developed rsi after just 2 days, am off sick (not a great start but it is agony !) and now I'm really wondering if I can carry on.

My hours were changed on the 2nd day, from 9-3 to 8-2, which was fine though they expect me to finish. The 1st time I was on my own, I had to prep from scratch (I'd been told some would already have been done by 8am, but it wasn't), it was an abnormally light day apparently, and I still didn't leave the DO after delivering 'til nearly 3pm (no meal break). I'm pooping it 'cos what time would I finish on a "normal" (or god forbid a busy !) day ??!!

I won't have a "regular" walk so won't get a chance to really know it well enough to ever finish on time, and they won't want me to (or let me ??) cut off every day. People keep telling me I'm being too hard on myself, "you'll be fine, you'll get quicker" but will I really ? I don't mind hard work but when I leave the house in the morning, not knowing what time I'll be back is a killer.

Assuming I can get past this rsi, am I being impatient and give it more time ? If so, how long before I can expect to "get quicker" ?

Very worried ...

[moyas slave]

if you can walk 30 miles a in 4 hours with 30kg on your back then you will pay a massive part in the new royal mail.

ok, sorry to be so negative.....

i had my own duty from day one, it was one of the biggest in the office with the worst complaints record but i have got to know the customers and really wouldnt change it now.
when i first started i was over about an hour a day wih quite a lot of help on prep and bagging up.
have you not been out with the office coach?
ask for any tools you need to do the job ie, extra bag drops, trolley etc.
you will get faster as you learn the duty but is all profit driven now and as a new starter you will be seen as an easy target for some free overtime, ENSURE YOU BOOK EVERY BIT OF OT!!!!

all the best with the job and your industrial injury.
ps, are you entitled to sick pay from day one?

[Gills_Postie]

Its hard at first mate and you have to stand up for yourself. Make sure you take a meal break, you'll need it. If any manager gets shirty about it just say 'im entitled to one its the law'.

[krussel]

Welcome to the forum hotxbun

Firstly your not the only one to have injury problems in your first few days, see here:

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=33185" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its a lot of walking for anyone starting and we all went through some kind of pain barrier when we started . Also that sense of panic / sick feeling when you see postie after postie leaving the office and your still prepping we all have been there.

What footwear are you using ? you should have RM issue if not then that could explain injury ?

I would stick at it for at least a month before you quit (unless you have a better job lined up). Depending on your injury speak to your manager and see about getting some "light duties" indoor work for a couple of weeks to help you get up to speed.

Best of luck, let us know how you get on.

[krussel]

30kg on your back

Nope 16kg first bag then a max of 12kg for the rest, on the flat of course, less if your round is hilly or has lots of stairs.

[moyas slave]

30kg on your back

Nope 16kg first bag then a max of 12kg for the rest, on the flat of course, less if your round is hilly or has lots of stairs.

its in the BT2014 agreement, just awaiting dave and billys signature.

[krussel]

its in the BT2014 agreement, just awaiting dave and billys signature.

Were as good as screwed then

[TrueBlueTerrier]

30kg on your back

Nope 16kg first bag then a max of 12kg for the rest, on the flat of course, less if your round is hilly or has lots of stairs.

its in the BT2014 agreement, just awaiting dave and billys signature.

I must have read that wrong - I thought it was at least a 30CWT on a cart - apparently its 2 posties pulling a cart method.

[moyas slave]

I must have read that wrong - I thought it was at least a 30CWT on a cart - apparently its 2 posties pulling a cart method.[/quote]



and how are we expected to pull a cart wearing roller boots?
this is insane!

[hotxbun]

Thanks guys !

Did have 3 days last week with the postie who's walk I'm covering this week but that was about how to prep, visiting (the only) pouch box, that kinda stuff. Don't get any help prepping, bagging, etc. now though it'd been mentioned last week that someone would start it at 7am, an hour before I get in. Hasn't happened.

Got no uniform, been told it'll be a few weeks, though I've said I desperately need boots - mine just aren't up to it. The rsi is in my arm so not sure it's linked ? Oh and a jacket. The tatty ole thing I'm borrowing is huge !

I am claiming every bit of overtime but I don't particularly want overtime, I'd sooner be home. And taking a meal break would make me even later. How long was it before you lost that hour, moyas slave, though can't help thinking it's that bit easier doing the same walk week in week out. Feel free to contradict if that's not the case

[moyas slave]

Thanks guys !

Did have 3 days last week with the postie who's walk I'm covering this week but that was about how to prep, visiting (the only) pouch box, that kinda stuff. Don't get any help prepping, bagging, etc. now though it'd been mentioned last week that someone would start it at 7am, an hour before I get in. Hasn't happened.

Got no uniform, been told it'll be a few weeks, though I've said I desperately need boots - mine just aren't up to it. The rsi is in my arm so not sure it's linked ? Oh and a jacket. The tatty ole thing I'm borrowing is huge !

I am claiming every bit of overtime but I don't particularly want overtime, I'd sooner be home. And taking a meal break would make me even later. How long was it before you lost that hour, moyas slave, though can't help thinking it's that bit easier doing the same walk week in week out. Feel free to contradict if that's not the case

a month or so, would overtime on a morning suit you?
if so ask if you can start an hour earlier to prep your duty.
i dont take breaks but i do claim OT for them.
i have never done any other walk, they have tried that one and i demanded training so was left to my own duty.

[dohnut]

Thanks guys !

Did have 3 days last week with the postie who's walk I'm covering this week but that was about how to prep, visiting (the only) pouch box, that kinda stuff. Don't get any help prepping, bagging, etc. now though it'd been mentioned last week that someone would start it at 7am, an hour before I get in. Hasn't happened.

Got no uniform, been told it'll be a few weeks, though I've said I desperately need boots - mine just aren't up to it. The rsi is in my arm so not sure it's linked ? Oh and a jacket. The tatty ole thing I'm borrowing is huge !

I am claiming every bit of overtime but I don't particularly want overtime, I'd sooner be home. And taking a meal break would make me even later. How long was it before you lost that hour, moyas slave, though can't help thinking it's that bit easier doing the same walk week in week out. Feel free to contradict if that's not the case

a month or so, would overtime on a morning suit you?
if so ask if you can start an hour earlier to prep your duty.
i dont take breaks but i do claim OT for them.
i have never done any other walk, they have tried that one and i demanded training so was left to my own duty.

Demanded training on differnet walk?, Good luck if you tried that were I work, I have probably done 30-40 walks and never have the option of what walk it is or my day off, Might try that next time. lol.

[kendo1]

Doing the same walk every week for years ,will make you substantial quicker on that walk normaly than a reserve,as you know it like the back of your hand.

Trying to get a permanent round can be very difficult.
First month is difficult ,but after that gets a bit easiers.
Spare a thought for some reserves who do different rounds daily ,but unfourtantley thats the job.

[Sippin40oz]

1st day on your own and they made you prep everything?! Thats shocking even for Royal Mail! People are right that you will get quicker and those aches will slowly become less noticeble.

Is this the job for me?

That one is a difficult one to answer really... If you can do something else then i would get on that straight away! The problem with cutting off and fighting your lino everytime he sh*** on you is they have the power to make things very uncomfortable for you! Ive had threatening calls from the Deliveries boss, had hours cut from my pay and even been sent to little rural offices for 'causing trouble'!

If you do need the money and have to stay at RM then join the union for certain. On a local level having a union rep has helped me a lot with dealing with the bull for example amounts of prep that is thrown in for me. I would also buy yourself some shoes / walking boots and give up on your uniform! Ive been there 8 months now and still not even shoes for me. And would get used to OT because if you check your contract you have signed up for 'a measure of overtime' and your lino will rape that clause garanteed!

Sorry to sound negetive but seems pretty dire in most offices.

[arty_morty]

Thanks guys !

Did have 3 days last week with the postie who's walk I'm covering this week but that was about how to prep, visiting (the only) pouch box, that kinda stuff. Don't get any help prepping, bagging, etc. now though it'd been mentioned last week that someone would start it at 7am, an hour before I get in. Hasn't happened.

Got no uniform, been told it'll be a few weeks, though I've said I desperately need boots - mine just aren't up to it. The rsi is in my arm so not sure it's linked ? Oh and a jacket. The tatty ole thing I'm borrowing is huge !

I am claiming every bit of overtime but I don't particularly want overtime, I'd sooner be home. And taking a meal break would make me even later. How long was it before you lost that hour, moyas slave, though can't help thinking it's that bit easier doing the same walk week in week out. Feel free to contradict if that's not the case

Hi. I'm a newbie myself, just completed about 8 months and some days I still find myself finishing long after everyone else is home watching Corrie. Then again there are days when I'm first backa dn left wondering if I forgot to deliver a huge part of my drive/walk.

You will get quicker and as one of my co-workers is fond of saying "be patient!"

Good luck, I hope you stick with it.