An old git's thoughts.

[zurdo]

I've been retired over 3 years now, after working for over 20 years. I worked in a rural office and we were mainly left alone to get on with the job. We had complaints but if we did extra duties we claimed and were paid overtime etc. The office was closed and the posties now work from a larger delivery office over 10 miles away.
Reading the posts on here and chatting to my ex-colleagues it's plain that morale and job satisfaction are at an all time low.
I sympathise with today's postmen and the crap they now have to put up with. I appreciate that changes have to happen but the way Royal Mail is implementing these changes with bullying, harassment etc. is a disgrace.
I may have missed out on free shares and wage increases but I thank my lucky stars I'm out of it now. I only hope things improve for you all.

[teddybear1948]

Couldnt agree more.I was fortunate enough to retire in January after 11 years and can barely believe what people have to put up with on a daily basis in some offices to get overtime pay or uniform or days off or whatever.Right up until the day I left I hardly had any problems at all ,certainly no bullying and such like.My shares have been sold and the old bones are being rested .I wish all those still working the very best of luck for what at best looks an uncertain future

[jw1234]

Before Royal Mail provided a service. Now RMs aim is to make a profit.

[maisymoo04]

Couldnt agree more.I was fortunate enough to retire in January after 11 years and can barely believe what people have to put up with on a daily basis in some offices to get overtime pay or uniform or days off or whatever.Right up until the day I left I hardly had any problems at all ,certainly no bullying and such like.My shares have been sold and the old bones are being rested .I wish all those still working the very best of luck for what at best looks an uncertain future

Thanks for that teddy bear love u too

[Chelseablue]

It's hard for the older guys like us who've bin in this job for a good few years, the thought of dragging your body round you're delivery till you're 68 is indeed a nightmare. This job does wreck you're body .

[dvbuk55]

Am I the only person who doesn't want to retire? I know I'll have to but I haven't given that much thought about it. I don't feel old, I think 65 is the new 50!

[daveyeff]

Am I the only person who doesn't want to retire? I know I'll have to but I haven't given that much thought about it. I don't feel old, I think 65 is the new 50!

all depends on what you're duty is like dv.....mines shyte. i think 55 is the new 70. i cant wait to get out.

[dvbuk55]

Am I the only person who doesn't want to retire? I know I'll have to but I haven't given that much thought about it. I don't feel old, I think 65 is the new 50!

all depends on what you're duty is like dv.....mines shyte. i think 55 is the new 70. i cant wait to get out.

Well I have to say I'm fortunate to work indoors now, only work part time over 4 days for 20 hours. I think the business should allow you to work part time as you get older, when work is more important than money.

[beezet]

Am I the only person who doesn't want to retire? I know I'll have to but I haven't given that much thought about it. I don't feel old, I think 65 is the new 50!

all depends on what you're duty is like dv.....mines shyte. i think 55 is the new 70. i cant wait to get out.

cant agree more, if i could afford to go part time i would as ive only been in for 15 years and no other pension ill have to drag myself round my walk for another two and a half years, no chance of a rural all the young guys have taken them, just have to carry on as long as i can manage

[PHARRY]

Am I the only person who doesn't want to retire? I know I'll have to but I haven't given that much thought about it. I don't feel old, I think 65 is the new 50!

all depends on what you're duty is like dv.....mines shyte. i think 55 is the new 70. i cant wait to get out.

cant agree more, if i could afford to go part time i would as ive only been in for 15 years and no other pension ill have to drag myself round my walk for another two and a half years, no chance of a rural all the young guys have taken them, just have to carry on as long as i can manage

I think 56 is the new 80 I'm knackerd and worn out I'm only 56

[BoltonPostie]

Am I the only person who doesn't want to retire? I know I'll have to but I haven't given that much thought about it. I don't feel old, I think 65 is the new 50!

all depends on what you're duty is like dv.....mines shyte. i think 55 is the new 70. i cant wait to get out.

Well I have to say I'm fortunate to work indoors now, only work part time over 4 days for 20 hours. I think the business should allow you to work part time as you get older, when work is more important than money.

Well there you go then.
It's easy to like a job when your doing feck all,and I don't call reading the paper and wanking over the racing post and brewing up as work.
Still I bet you was put out scanning in all those bar codes.
When work is more important ,you've been indoors with the cretins(managers) to long.

[dvbuk55]

Some years ago there was a job share scheme whereby 2 people would sort a weeks work between them and thereby allowing people to work shorter weeks and/or hours. I understand there may be fiscal considerations but earning less over a longer period may be better than earning a lot over a shorter period but burning out in the process.

[daveyeff]

well, a light that burns twice as bright only burns half as long, and we are working twice as hard now on delivery,,,,,so we are burning out in half the time. most of us old school are crippled/gammy/decrepid/totally fecked. the job is for athletes now.

[dvbuk55]

When work is more important ,you've been indoors with the cretins(managers) to long.

Perhaps that was an injudicious description but I did say more important than money. Now to put indoor work in perspective: I've been indoors in the locker for years - more than 10 and it was at a time when nobody wanted to do it because you had to work the hours not like delivery when people swannied off home 2/3 hours early or worked 2 hours ghost and still got home early. I originally started in the locker to replace a union rep who then became a full time release guy and then moved on.

Has my job become harder?, yes it has, do I have to take on more work?, yes I do, do I get the delivery supplement yay

[dave7634]

Some years ago there was a job share scheme whereby 2 people would sort a weeks work between them and thereby allowing people to work shorter weeks and/or hours. I understand there may be fiscal considerations but earning less over a longer period may be better than earning a lot over a shorter period but burning out in the process.

2 people in our office indeed do that and share a full-time driving duty. Each person comes in every other week (one on and one off). DOM has to agree with it and if (a) or (b) retires then, unless you can find a replacement member of staff then you're back to full-time hours afaik