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New postie advice

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
joeyuk
Posts: 93
Joined: 10 Jul 2013, 13:24
Gender: Male

New postie advice

Post by joeyuk »

Hi, I'm due to start as a postie a week on Tuesday and just want some advice on what the 1st few weeks will be like. I'm starting on a 20 hr contract over 4 days. When I applied the job role said 10-4 over 4 days Monday to Sunday. This is only job role I've seen which was not Monday to Saturday, do delivery offices open on Sunday?

Anyway looking forward to starting although it will be pain working another job so that I can take home a full time wage.
2pints
Posts: 286
Joined: 28 Feb 2013, 16:46
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by 2pints »

You will more than likely find plenty of overtime is on offer if you want it so you will probably be ok just working the one job.I have been a postie for 5 months now and i really enjoy it.I am a fairly fit bloke so i found it easy to do the physical side of it,learning all the details of the job is fairly daunting at first but it gets easier each day and you are constantly learning during the first weeks.I just keep my head down and get on with it but if you get asked to take extra work out or do overtime and you dont want to just say no otherwise you will get stuck in a rut and the managers will just expect it of you.I only say yes when it suits me,not them.You seem to want more hours though so you should be fine.

Relax and enjoy it i find it is the best job i have had,i enjoy the mix of working in the office and then going outside and getting some exercise and fresh air.I ignore all the moaning and politics otherwise it will just worry you,privatization will happen no matter what so just do not even concern yourself with it ..
joeyuk
Posts: 93
Joined: 10 Jul 2013, 13:24
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by joeyuk »

Cheers for the reply

Yeah will be looking for overtime after a few weeks getting to know the job. Other job is at Asda 4 evenings a week but can cut that down if need to make room for more work at RM. Don't want to give that job up since im only on a 6 month contract.
dazzlin72
Posts: 321
Joined: 25 Jan 2010, 13:56
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by dazzlin72 »

That is where the uncertainty lies, you wont be offered a full time fixed contract, only rolling contracts which basically leave you at their beck & call. As a consequence, overtime, sickpay, holiday pay, are all payed at a reduced rate.
trevjim
Posts: 170
Joined: 05 Dec 2012, 20:04
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by trevjim »

Dont be fooled by the whingers on here, Its a fairly easy job. Can be quick physically demanding at times, but I like that personaly.

As another poster says above, it can be quite daunting learning the walks, but that is the hardest part and once you have learnt it, it sticks.

Again dont worry about the 'future' of royal mail, what will be will be, alot of posters here seem to think RM should revolve around them. RM are our boss and tell us what to do, so do what they say but dont let them take the piss and you will be ok.
GoingPostal86
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 132
Joined: 02 Dec 2012, 06:49
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by GoingPostal86 »

Ask if you can work your day off whatever it might be.. bumps the wages up if you don't get any overtime that week.
Judgee
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 2262
Joined: 23 Oct 2007, 15:18

Re: New postie advice

Post by Judgee »

trevjim wrote:Dont be fooled by the whingers on here, Its a fairly easy job. Can be quick physically demanding at times, but I like that personaly.

As another poster says above, it can be quite daunting learning the walks, but that is the hardest part and once you have learnt it, it sticks.

Again dont worry about the 'future' of royal mail, what will be will be, alot of posters here seem to think RM should revolve around them. RM are our boss and tell us what to do, so do what they say but dont let them take the piss and you will be ok.

Moya you were told not to keep posting on here please stop it!!!! :speak to the hand
Union what Union? Do we have a union?
joeyuk
Posts: 93
Joined: 10 Jul 2013, 13:24
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by joeyuk »

Cheers for the replys.

Will be looking to work 1/2 of my 3 days off. Anyone have any idea about the Sunday thing, still to see another job with this advertised in. Not a big issue but I play football on Sundays so would be ace if I was off then.
bertieboy
Posts: 56
Joined: 25 Jul 2010, 19:53
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by bertieboy »

joeyuk wrote:Cheers for the replys.

Will be looking to work 1/2 of my 3 days off. Anyone have any idea about the Sunday thing, still to see another job with this advertised in. Not a big issue but I play football on Sundays so would be ace if I was off then.
Don't go in for any robust challenges.If you get injured and are unable to work,you'll discover the compassionate and understanding nature of your manager. :left:
UnhappyGremlin
Posts: 2685
Joined: 18 May 2012, 20:49
Gender: Male
Location: Hiding

Re: New postie advice

Post by UnhappyGremlin »

joeyuk wrote:Cheers for the replys.

Will be looking to work 1/2 of my 3 days off. Anyone have any idea about the Sunday thing, still to see another job with this advertised in. Not a big issue but I play football on Sundays so would be ace if I was off then.
Only Sunday jobs are Mail Centres and trunking, not deliveries as it currently stands.
If you are to be a delivery postie, then I find it unlikely that you would be working Sunday.
Though it has been suggested that RM want to move to deliveries on Sundays in the future, so it may have been included with that in mind.
Sometimes, I wish I wasn't a Rep.
korky
Posts: 797
Joined: 30 Dec 2007, 09:28

Re: New postie advice

Post by korky »

UnhappyGremlin wrote: Though it has been suggested that RM want to move to deliveries on Sundays in the future, so it may have been included with that in mind.
would reckon any deliveries introduced on a sunday would be parcels,
can't see any letter deliveries as we haven't enough to stretch to 6 days, you do know that the mail is down eh :left:
UnhappyGremlin
Posts: 2685
Joined: 18 May 2012, 20:49
Gender: Male
Location: Hiding

Re: New postie advice

Post by UnhappyGremlin »

korky wrote:
UnhappyGremlin wrote: Though it has been suggested that RM want to move to deliveries on Sundays in the future, so it may have been included with that in mind.
would reckon any deliveries introduced on a sunday would be parcels,
can't see any letter deliveries as we haven't enough to stretch to 6 days, you do know that the mail is down eh :left:
That is what I have been led to believe, Sunday Parcel deliveries.
Just what people want, whilst trying to have a family meal.
Sometimes, I wish I wasn't a Rep.
joeyuk
Posts: 93
Joined: 10 Jul 2013, 13:24
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by joeyuk »

Cheers for all the info. Anyone got any adice on what to wear till I get some uniform. Can't order till my induction Monday so guess I'll be in my own clothes for a week or so.
2pints
Posts: 286
Joined: 28 Feb 2013, 16:46
Gender: Male

Re: New postie advice

Post by 2pints »

joeyuk wrote:Cheers for all the info. Anyone got any adice on what to wear till I get some uniform. Can't order till my induction Monday so guess I'll be in my own clothes for a week or so.
Depends on budget really,i got some really good cargo pants from next for £30.Do not wear jeans they are a nightmare.Any tops as long as they are not heavily branded,wear layers if you can so you can add/remove when needed.A waterproof coat,and insoles from amazon called "cush n step" were a lifesaver for me,they took the impact from my knees.
UnhappyGremlin
Posts: 2685
Joined: 18 May 2012, 20:49
Gender: Male
Location: Hiding

Re: New postie advice

Post by UnhappyGremlin »

Wear something comfortable, and warm. Nothing that can irritate your skin.
Footwear that you can be on your feet in for 7 hours or so, well broken in.
Hopefully they'll give you a Hi-Viz vest/storm proof coat/cagoule, in case the weather is really crap.
Sometimes, I wish I wasn't a Rep.