Portbury (Bristol) Temp Christmas

[toasterman]

I went to the intake afternoon thing recently, and was then told that they had enough staff, and I'd be added to the overflow list.

I've just had a phone call offering me a role, but I could hardly make out what the guy was saying due to such a bad line. He told me it was NOT at the Bristol Mail Centre - it was somewhere else. I got the postcode, but couldn't hear the full address, except that it was somewhere around Portbury. He said "I'll send you an email to confirm", so I thought that would clear it all up.

I've just received a text and online message (I never get Angard's emails) and they both stating they're offering me a position at the Bristol Mail Centre (the one he said it definitely wasn't at). I've phoned the number on the email but it tells me they can't deal with Christmas queries, and to contact the place I'm working!
Given the time of day, I'm thinking its quite unlikely I'll get a reply to that email before my shift (06:00 tomorrow).

So now what do I do? Go to the place on the email, or go to the postcode in Portbury and drive around until I find the place?

The postcode was BS20 7XU (he did phonetically) for Portbury, and I think he said it was 1 Bradbury Road, but I can't find that. There's a Bradley Road. Could that be it? Has anyone here worked at the Portbury office?

[padster]

I went to the mail centre this morning (due to start at Portbury) as I was told there would be a bus at 5.30am to Portbury.

After about 45 mins of talking to different managers and waiting around, I eventually discovered that my name (along with the 20 or so other people's) was not on the list. Every single one of us was turned away, except one girl who it turned out was on the list at Portbury after being told she was starting at the Mail Centre.

Those of us that were turned away were told to contact Angard (via the 0845 number and email, neither of which have worked for me over the last 2 weeks) and that the RM staff could do nothing about it - even though Angard is just an arm of Royal Mail. They have done this on purpose, clearly.

Long story short, I got up at 4am and walked 3 hours this morning for nothing, thanks to Angard's incompetency. I have also been counting on the income from this job for Christmas, having stopped seeking work when I was offered this.

Disgusting treatment of clients by Angard (aka Royal Mail).

[toasterman]

I went to the mail centre this morning (due to start at Portbury) as I was told there would be a bus at 5.30am to Portbury.

After about 45 mins of talking to different managers and waiting around, I eventually discovered that my name (along with the 20 or so other people's) was not on the list. Every single one of us was turned away, except one girl who it turned out was on the list at Portbury after being told she was starting at the Mail Centre.

I'm slightly confused. I've been asked at the recruitment day, and again on the phone earlier, if I have my own transport - as I assumed there was no other easy/obvious way of getting to Portbury at that time of the morning.
And does that mean you were on the Portbury list instead, or just weren't listed anywhere at all?

Long story short, I got up at 4am and walked 3 hours this morning for nothing, thanks to Angard's incompetency. I have also been counting on the income from this job for Christmas, having stopped seeking work when I was offered this.

Very bad luck mate. Hope you find something else.

[toasterman]

As a follow up to my own post, this morning I went to Bristol Mail Centre, as detailed in writing.
I got there about 5.20, and there was a bus readying to leave, as I arrived.
They had no record that I should be at Bristol mail Centre, and apparently the only list of who should have gone off on the bus (which had now left, en route to Portbury), was now on that bus.
So I explained the situation re phones, and asked where the place was in Portbury. One guy asked another, until they returned with a definitive answer, written down for me. The address is apparently: "1 Portbury J19, BS20 7XU".
What sort of address is that meant to be? 1 Portbury? What? That isn't an address, any more than "5 Bristol" is.
This postcode is not recognised by TomTom nor Google Maps. Google Maps takes a stab at where it is, and it's incorrect.
When I got to Portbury, I headed for the docks, where I was faced with Portbury West, Portbury Central, Portbury South, etc. all going off in different directions. With no idea which one to choose, and nobody about to ask at that time of the morning, I ended up driving around aimlessly looking for a big red sign and/or Royal Mail vehicles.
I found none, and as I was attempting to enter the royal dock part, I met a security guard. Finally! Another human I could ask. He gave me directions to get to Royal Mail's office, and I arrived (late, though I was marked down as being on time).

I also received this text message from Angard at 9am (my shift started at 6am, remember).
"Good evening <my name>. Early Shift 06:00- 14:00 Start Date 30/11/11 The address for the Bristol Outhouse is as follows: One Portbury, Bradbury Road, Bristol BS20 7XU. Please arrive approx 10 minutes before your shift start time. Please note that if you have difficulty with transport to this venue, there is a free bus service departing from Bristol Mail Centre, Gloucester Road North, BS34 7ST at 05:20. Kind regards, Angard Staffing Christmas Team"

That's the first time this 'free bus' has been mentioned. I've been asked numerous times at the employment event thing I went to, and on the phone with Angard, whether I have my own transport, as there's no easy way to get there otherwise.

I should point out if you are attempting to find the place, that BS20 7XU isn't a postcode that seems to appear on maps, and Bradbury Road DOESN'T EXIST!
The street is called Bradley Road, and it's off the main roundabout which has signs to 'Portbury West'.
From that roundabout, go left onto Bradley Road (there are signs for Kerry Foods), then left again before you get to Kerry Foods. Christ knows why nobody at Angard is able to give new staff this information. I could have found it in minutes, if I'd had at least the road name.
There was no vehicles when I got there, no massive red sign - just one small sign about A4-size saying it was a Royal Mail office.
I've now done a full day's work, and have spoken to at least 2 other people who were also late as they couldn't find the place with Angard's poor instructions.

Staff members clarified this afternoon that if you were employed by Angard, they should have work at Portbury until the 17th December, and working Tuesday-Saturday (Angard haven't mentioned what days I was working at any point, as far as my notes go.), but possibly extending further if bad weather occurs (i.e. massive amounts of snow), which doesn't seem likely, given recent temperatures. Those employed via an outside agency is very much on a per-day basis. They might be here today, not tomorrow.

(Edited, as I ironically made a mistake with my directions. Was half asleep when I wrote them the first time.)

[Bob Arctor]

Hello All,
@toasterman
Many thanks for the directions. Exactly what I was looking for.
I have a provisional offer for Portbury - Nights starting on 5th Dec.
Was told that there would be a bus service - Any ideas here ?
I was also told that safety boots are not required at Portbury - Sounds suspect !
Security checks passed - Nothing from Angard as yet.

[toasterman]

Hello All,
@toasterman
Many thanks for the directions. Exactly what I was looking for.
I have a provisional offer for Portbury - Nights starting on 5th Dec.
Was told that there would be a bus service - Any ideas here ?
I was also told that safety boots are not required at Portbury - Sounds suspect !
Security checks passed - Nothing from Angard as yet.

If you have heard nothing, do check the website manually from time-to-time. I had several texts from Angard originally saying they had emailed me, but I don't get any of their emails, for some reason. They're all listed on the website though - even the failed ones. In the 'my applications' bit. I think it's called something like 'messages', in the top right of the centre part of the screen.

Safety boots are not required, no. I was asked if I had any, and I told them no, and that was the end of that. You do get a high vis jacket (everyone wears them, including managers) and gloves. Some people choose not to wear the gloves, but you never know where the packages have been, what might be contained within, etc. Better safe than sorry I reckon. They're grippy gloves, so it doesn't make it any harder to pick things up, etc.

Safety boots are not really required, as there's very little moving machinery. There's 4 forklifts, but I've only ever seen one being used at once. That I've seen, he only operates in the bit that is fenced off to the rest of staff, from the days I've been there. Most of the sorting takes place with very small wheeled bin things, and so there's not really much danger involved there. Wear them if you have them, by all means, but most people seem to wear trainers. There's not much else of hazard in the building.. no conveyor belts or anything.
Also keep in mind that apart from your breaks, there is nowhere to sit down. You'll be on your feet constantly, so nice comfy shoes are preferable.

Bus

As for the bus, there is a free bus that goes from Bristol Mail Centre (Filton) at 5.20am, to get to Portbury for 6, and picks up at 2pm, to go back to Filton. This won't help you if you're working nights, but I had no idea this bus existed until I started on my first day. It may run at other times for the other shifts.
I've not chosen to take the bus, because I can leave home after 5.20am and still get to Portbury for 6 if I drive.
Also, the bus comes back at the end of the shift, no matter what. So if you're offered overtime (as was the case on this weekend that has just gone), you aren't able to do it if you came via the bus, unless you can get home some other way (which is probably difficult at 6am, when your shift will presumably finish.)

Also, (and this might be something that only bothers me) there are no lockers, or anywhere to put stuff really. There's a metal cage thing that is locked/unlocked at breaks, that people can store coats in, but I don't really know any of these people, so in my mind there's nothing to stop someone on a different break time, rifling through my coat, while they're getting theirs.
Ditto for food/drink. RM provide a kettle, toaster, microwave, some cups, etc. but no teabags, coffee, or milk. There are no vending machines, and no nearby places to buy food/drink (I was advised to get stuff from Gordano Services, but on a 15minute break, this is somewhat difficult to achieve).
Consequently I've been taking a selection of flasks, teabags, milk, etc. and sitting in my car during breaks. Slightly antisocial maybe, but I can't function properly without an occasional cup of tea.

Good luck, and hope you get offered something.

[Bob Arctor]

Cheers.
Thanks for the 'heads up'. Much appreciated.
I'm still sitting on the provisional with 'security checks passed' on website.
Considering taking the gamble and turning up at Filton tonight to see if my name is actually on the list !
Regards.

[toasterman]

As a quick additional note, there is a bus that leaves Portbury just after 6am, with people on it. I guess thats the nightshift workers going home.
As a guess, I would assume that it collects people from Bristol Mail Centre about 30-45mins before the nightshift start time, but that is only a guess.