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ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
TynesideBloke
Posts: 4
Joined: 25 Jul 2012, 10:42
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by TynesideBloke »

POSTMAN wrote:
TynesideBloke wrote:I've been browsing the forum a while now and eventually got round to reading this thread. Seems like I will have picked up some good tips here so just want to say cheers (I start in Gateshead next week) although from this thread and every other one it seems like I should be ready for a verbal fight with the managers.
You're on park & loop there (2 men in a van and trolleys)and latest word is it's failing,your office also walked out in March due to management shenanigans.
Good luck. :Very Happy

May be ok though,don't panic and seek out the rep asap,and join the union. :nana
Haha bloody hell.

Thanks for mentioning the rep and union, again I probably wouldn't even have went out of my way to find/join them if it wasn't for what I've been reading.
Last edited by TynesideBloke on 30 Aug 2012, 18:53, edited 1 time in total.
DM66
Posts: 36
Joined: 23 Jul 2012, 14:26
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by DM66 »

stick up for your rights and ask about anything you are unsure of. If management can see you are the type of person who wont be pushed around or fooled easily they will be less inclined to use you as the one who is given all the crap work within the office, and given extra if you get back early. You dont have to be rude or aggressive...just let them know that you are the type of person that would go to the union or further if treated unfairly. RM is all about unfairness sadly.
DM66
Posts: 36
Joined: 23 Jul 2012, 14:26
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by DM66 »

slavic2 wrote:As a relatively new postie I am now having many problems with the manager of our smallish sorting office in Cheshire. This man is a complete bully, unapproachable and loves nothing more than playing god with the split duties/days off for float posties(saturdays-forget it)/holidays/bank holidays, etc, etc...
I really need some help in tackling this individual because it seems although I am in the Union there is no support for me because both union "persons" in our sorting office are his mates and haven't even been elected through ballot of the staff (is this normal/legal by the way?)
This appalling manager (mostly hated by everyone by the way!) never ever puts his "blue eyed" boys on split duties which is very, very frustrating. Some of his little darlings have never even done a split duty or worked later than 2pm!
It really winds us up because just a handful of us are doing all the split duties(mostly every day!) and yet other staff are finishing their walks and going home early most days, etc...
Believe me, this is the tip of the iceberg and something really needs to be done about this bully boy...
Where do i stand about refusing to do split duties because I feel victimised and unfairly treated compared to other full time staff?
Is there any way that I can report this manager to Royal Mail?
Is there a grievance procedure I can follow?
I really do feel very intimidated by this manager and I have been keeping a written log now for over one year which details everything...
All help greatly appreciated...

this happens at every office. There is always the long term staff that get away with murder and others that get the s**t all the time. Take it to someone above your manager and the union....just let someone know that people are not being treated the same and that you want an answer or for your manager to be spoken to about it. I wouldnt expect miracles.....most RM top knobs and managers are a real waste of space and are just lazy. Thats why they are not posties anymore or never were. If you kick up a small fuss with your manager even within ear shot of senior staff or the golden crew people will be weary of you and it may make them think a bit. Managers like to suss out who they can bully and who they daren't bully. Sucks really I know. All we want to do is go to work and all get the same workload and treatment. Its not rocket science but somehow things just never seem to change,
SP115
Posts: 178
Joined: 25 Nov 2012, 17:52
Gender: Male
Location: Location: Location

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by SP115 »

Good thread, Thanks for the info.

I start next week on a 24 hr contract, My hours are 6-2 (i think) and it says on contract 2/3/4 days, Will I mostly be working 3 days a week do you think?
tony2
Posts: 21
Joined: 21 Oct 2012, 08:58
Gender: Male
Location: north wales

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by tony2 »

number the bundles :nana
wabbithunta
Posts: 872
Joined: 03 Oct 2007, 18:39
Gender: Male
Location: On Planet Earth... Unlike the people who run RM!

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by wabbithunta »

If you're on one of these new contracts only work your hours and also find out the days or what hours you'll be working too, and if possible what walk(s) etc you may be covering, as these may well be cutoffs. Some cutoffs may be short but there are some that can take ages and they may put at least 3 of them on you to make your daily hours. If you have to cut off, because you may be over your time, then tell management you may not be able to complete. Don't let anyone bully or harass you into anything either. Also try to have an "independent witness" if they try to get you to work excess, and you tell them you won't be able to complete. Some of them may deny saying or making you do things you don't want to, or maybe even, need to do. There are a lot of very helpful people on here with plenty of experience, and advice, so ask them for it if you ever need it and others on here may well put me right on some points and that's fine by me as I'm not as experienced as a lot of people on here.
"Better to die on your feet than live a life time on your knees"
heapsy
Posts: 2934
Joined: 02 Jun 2007, 23:40
Gender: Male
Location: Drinking with Gangsters

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by heapsy »

If you are throwing off the walk DO NOT over face yourself. That is, don't have too much on the frame at once. You cannot see the bottom row properly. Also, from personal experience here, I have seen so many panic at the sight of loads of stuff piled up on your desk. If the manager tells you to clear out the IPS frames then use a Perstop tray and leave it under the frame until you are ready. I throw the letters off first. Flats second, putting them behind the letters, If there are D2Ds then I put them behind the flats. Works for me although I know someone who has a different system again. Find out what suits YOU and keep to the same system, familiarity helps keep mistakes to a minimum. Finally, good lucky and don't panic.
Last edited by heapsy on 22 Feb 2013, 14:18, edited 1 time in total.
wabbithunta
Posts: 872
Joined: 03 Oct 2007, 18:39
Gender: Male
Location: On Planet Earth... Unlike the people who run RM!

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by wabbithunta »

heapsy wrote:.... and don't panic.
:thumbup
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"Better to die on your feet than live a life time on your knees"
2pints
Posts: 286
Joined: 28 Feb 2013, 16:46
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by 2pints »

Order uniform asap.Find union rep asap.Buy some pens.
old-postie
Posts: 59
Joined: 15 Jan 2010, 21:47
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by old-postie »

Don't throw your elastic bands away while your out on delivery.

Put them into a pocket or your bag to reuse in the morning as trying to find new ones can be a REALLY difficult job.

In fact if you see any on the sorting office floor or on any empty frames, nab em quickly ad you will probably need them
old-postie
Posts: 59
Joined: 15 Jan 2010, 21:47
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by old-postie »

If you're issued a light weight trolley, use it.

It will slow you down but the long term benefits of keeping the weight from your shoulder exceed it.
old-postie
Posts: 59
Joined: 15 Jan 2010, 21:47
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by old-postie »

If possible make separate bundles that follow on from each other and end/begin with the same number.

Eg 1 church st and 1 Acadia ave.

This should help cut down misdeliveries.
old-postie
Posts: 59
Joined: 15 Jan 2010, 21:47
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by old-postie »

Number your bundles.

That way you won't get confused about the order that you should deliver them in.

If you use a LWT put the odd and even numbered ones into different bags to keep it balanced.
old-postie
Posts: 59
Joined: 15 Jan 2010, 21:47
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by old-postie »

When losing a LWT, hook the bag onto one opposite the handle first to stop it tipping over
old-postie
Posts: 59
Joined: 15 Jan 2010, 21:47
Gender: Male

Re: ADVICE FOR NEW POSTIES

Post by old-postie »

Learn where the canteen, vending machines and toilets are