hi, bit nervous...

[newbie2011]

Hi all.

I've started this week as a casual postie. Having completed induction on Monday with a lot of returning staff, I was a bit confused that even though I'll be delivering mail, I'm not issued a uniform, yet the gentleman who interviewed me spent a lot of time discussing that uniform is to be worn, etc. Anyways, after induction on Monday, I have been eagerly awaiting phone call from the gentleman at my usual place of work and was most surprised to receive a call this morning from another gentleman at a closer work location asking if I was available to work there this week and next. Is this common? and is it also common to deliver where you live? It was all quite casual conversation, come in when you like etc. I'm also curious to know what the work is actually like and I have no expectations at the moment and to be honest don't really have a clue on what I need to do. Does anyone have any ideas on how many hours a week would typically be available for a casual and is there likely to be weeks of no work? Are your contracts likely to be renewed after the twelve weeks? So many questions... haven't yet resigned from my old job so don't know whether to try to manage the two also, as the other job is part time.

Anyways, really looking forward to it otherwise, can't wait to get away from my usual desk job behind a monitor all day. Would love to become a permanent postie, but don't know.

Thanks for any thoughts or insight

[clashcityrocker]

1. They won't give you a uniform until they are sure you are being kept on. They might give you shoes and they should give you something with a RM logo on it so people know you are a bona fide postie. (We used to get armbands).
2. Your 12 week contract should say how many hours/week you are contracted. RM went through a period of giving 1hr contracts but I thought they had stopped that. Most seem to be 20/25 hr contracts.
3. They might renew your contract but it would depend on you being any good, the current staffing in the office and any revision activity taking place.

There should be a manager at wherever you go to work who should be able to give you more advice.
Just hang around by the coffee machine and one will turn up.

Try it before you give up your other job. You might hate it.

[newbie2011]

well, started yesterday my first shift out with someone else. quite enjoyable, had a nice trolley and the other postie directed me in which way to go, etc. The stuff in the office before you go out to do the posting sometimes feels a bit odd waiting for the letters to be sorted so you can get them and sort them down. Today I was out by myself having done everything myself. Quite daunting. I had my car out with me so kept changing bag that way. Got lost twice and took two hours longer than they said I should have taken (which was 1/2 hour longer than previous day when there was two of us). Quite enjoying it, but my feet are sooooo sore and my body aches sooooo much, assuming this is normal. Does anyone know if I get paid for the hours I actually worked today or just the amount of time they thought it would take? confused on this one as I don't appear to be signing in/out in any way. everyone really really helpful and friendly otherwise and tonnes of shifts available. I checked my contract and it didn't say how many hours a week.

[POSTMAN]

How comes you used your car? How did it come to that?

[Lounge Lizard]

1. They won't give you a uniform until they are sure you are being kept on. They might give you shoes and they should give you something with a RM logo on it so people know you are a bona fide postie. (We used to get armbands).
2. Your 12 week contract should say how many hours/week you are contracted. RM went through a period of giving 1hr contracts but I thought they had stopped that. Most seem to be 20/25 hr contracts.
3. They might renew your contract but it would depend on you being any good, the current staffing in the office and any revision activity taking place.

There should be a manager at wherever you go to work who should be able to give you more advice.
Just hang around by the coffee machine and one will turn up.

Try it before you give up your other job. You might hate it.

(We used to get armbands). - showing your age a bit there, Oswald Moseley and all that.

[clashcityrocker]

Ha Ha,
I'm sure you remember these.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Post-Office-G ... 500wt_1156" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;