So, I've just been offered a 3 month contract...

[biggiesbean]

Hi there, I posted a week or two in the 'introduce yourself' thread. I've been offered a 3 month temporary contract which I'm very happy about.
From what I can gather, from reading on this forum, it can be difficult working for the Royal Mail and they don't seem to offer people permanent
contracts.

I was just wondering what the chances are of getting kept on, even if it's just another 3 month contract, or am I guaranteed to be laid off once my contract
ends? I do know that there was only one position going when I applied (and I was the successful candidate, obviously).

I hope some of you posties can help me out here! Thanks in advance!

[BillyPosty]

You'll probably be kept on for another 3 months, then another 3 and so on if you don't cut off / work over your hours for free / come in early / do lots of overtime / suck up to the management.

[biggiesbean]

Hi, thanks for the reply. That's what I was thinking that it would keep rolling on - at best. What do you mean about "cut off/work over your hours for free."
I don't get ya. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Hi, thanks for the reply. That's what I was thinking that it would keep rolling on - at best. What do you mean about "cut off/work over your hours for free."
I don't get ya. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!

Well, it ultimately depends on how strong willed you are but to explain what he means.

Cutt of - its a colliqual expression meaning that because you have too much mail to deliver in your hours of work, you have choices:

1. Cut of - which means not completiting all the work -by either informing your manager and either estimating what will take you to your time and leaving in inside, or taking it all out and bringing undelivered mail back. There are strict policies and local arrangements so make sure you are told about them.

2. Work Over and claim Overtime. Could be coming in early as well but you are entitled to overtime as long as its pre-authorised.

3. Come in early, don't take your breaks (even at the end of a shift ) and work till your clear - without claiming. .. To be fair this option is usually take on by those who believe the managers that say you are not entitled to overtime (you are), or a break (you are), that it comes out of their budget (it doesn't when you are a trialist its put down as training), or that you need to be more flexible (as they should be as well) it would be better if you came in early voluntarily (as long as they pay you) and that it won't look good when it comes to contract renewell (bullying bastards).

Hope that makes it clearer, but in essence to be a good postie does not only involve hard work, but you also need to have a strong personality and sense of self worth to survive more than a few years.