new walk moans

[muzzy]

Ive been a floater since just after xmas and have been doing a different walk each week.
I dont mind, in fact I like the variety, but I do have one complaint and thats the Monday morning nightmare of bagging up for the 1st time.
It appears most frames are not laid out correctly for the walk, this could be due to changes in bag drop locations, preference by the usual walk holder or another reason.

Can i ask how your D/O's deal with this issue.
In each walk log folder you might be lucky enough to find a scribbled out piece of paper written in a 2 minute rush on how to bag up, but this seems to be an exception to the rule.
I was lucky enough last week that the usual walk holder had a printed out sheet with exact instruction for bag drops, bagging up and any other issues on the walk, this was great, id like to have this for every round, but i think im hoping for too much.

If someone took responsibility of this, all it would take is 10 minutes with each duty holder to write this down with someone then get it transferred onto a word document in the office. then just print out a new one each time its needed and easy to edit any changes to the walk, like naughty dogs, naughty home owners, inaccessible addresses, etc

[krussel]

The Walklog should contain a bag up /delivery order and a highlighted route map.

In truth they are not updated as normally the poor sod who does the Aplus has to perform a normal duty and is expected to fit it in when he/she can.

Bring this up at your next WTL session and good luck

[muzzy]

Map in walk log?! Yeah right!
I have to use google maps on my iPhone to work out where I'm going. As for meetings... Ain't been to one for ages, not since before xmas

[NewPostieUK]

We have 'training'. This involves the trainee asking the duty holder how to bag up, as well as how to deliver, where to start, where to finish, where to pick up bags etc.

Trainee follows duty holder around, helping occasionally, and making notes.

We used to generally get two days training, but now it seems one day is the norm.

I heard of people doing walks 'blind', but this seems to be locals who know the area very well, or two people doing one walk, helping each other, and having time to look at maps, ask around etc.

[Bazzer]

I started on a 12 week Post Office Delivery's Contract Last Monday 23rd. (5hours total 25 a week)
Monday. No in-house training strait on round.
Tuesday & Wednesday. Different round again no training.
Thursday Day Off.
Friday On 3rd round on my own. Told terraced houses would be quick and would be OK took from 9am till 5:30pm = 8.5 hours (I estimate 1200 houses/flats on round approx.)
Told my manager about overrun did not say would give overtime or not.
Saturday same round took me 7:30am to 2pm =6.5 hours lot better. I was told by people on round that full time Postmen find it hard to finish in full time hours.
I have E-Mailed HR and text my manager that I will not be carrying on with my contract.
Seems a lot of pressure no in house training and not even a offer of overtime.
Did not tell me nearest PO for returns, were to put Keys to post drops etc. etc.
Sad because I enjoyed the outdoor bit.

[krussel]

Welcome Bazzer

Mate I know that when you first start it’s a complete nightmare, it really is.

Firstly unless you have another job lined up or can afford to turn the work down then don’t quit on your first week, give it at least a month.

The art of delivery, walking and reading mail takes a little while to pick up. Its not difficult but to go at the same speed of a more experienced worker is impossible in the first week. Its just something that you get quicker at over a period of weeks as does your fitness level improve.

There is also (depending on age) a pain barrier to get through with blisters, muscle cramps, strange friction rashes and aches and pains. We have all gone through it and even now after my 24 years if I take anymore than 2 weeks leave or sickness I have to go through it all over again.

That terraced walk of 1200 calls sounds really bad. Our biggest walk has only got 800 odd so that’s a whopping delivery. My current walk has just under 500 calls and takes my up to 5 hours on a bad day so that gives you some idea.

Can I suggest two things. First you give it another go and find out who your office CWU rep is. Ask about joining the union which is a good place for advice and a security blanket if anything goes wrong.

Second start your own thread on here (this one is a bit buried) explaining how long your walk is and the amount of time its taking you . You will be surprised how many other have been through this.

Whatever you decide to do with the job I wish you the best.

[mclovin]

Ask your workplace coach, its his job and thats what he's paid for.

[DGP1]

Ask your workplace coach, its his job and thats what he's paid for.

[mclovin]

You can laugh DGP but its true. Oh and make sure you get his mobile number for you to contact with any queries while outdoors (obviously RM business only like).

[DGP1]

You can laugh DGP but its true. Oh and make sure you get his mobile number for you to contact with any queries while outdoors (obviously RM business only like).

[mclovin]

Stop laughing man. Theyre the most helpful people, always willing to do that bit extra to help a newbie who's struggling.

[Pat Ostman]

It's like walking into a Monty Python sketch.

[BoxcarBob]

Mate I know where you are coming from...im a floater too and its not uncommon for me to be put on 3 different new walks in one week. Just last week I did 3 different new walks and did them all 'blind'.

To be honest I prefer being a floater since it doesnt really get stale but yeah, bagging up and not knowing where the bag drops are is a real pain in the erse.

The problem is aswell, when you're being put on different walks constantly you never really get chance to let them sink in and so it takes a long time to learn em.

Since my walks are never thrown in when i get to the office I end up working into overtime alot. I just book my overtime, make sure it gets payed when payday rolls around and thats that.

[pokos27]

just stick with it.

[Redyam]

Just stick it out. I'm a floater, and I'm at the stage where I know half of the walks in the office like they are my own. And it never gets boring, that's for sure. Here are some tips:

Find out what walk you are on for the next week as early as possible.
Find out who is normally on that walk, and get them to show you how to bag it up. Write it down ready.
Once you've done the walk once, it becomes 10 times easier.
Chill out, do the job properly, and claim plenty of overtime.