Depression in the Workplace - RM Commitment

[The_Wax_Man]

Parts copied from the News section that TB posted up, but really feel this needs more traffic and discussion.

Interesting to see that with all that goes on in RM on a daily basis, that this fundamental 'commitment' should be addressed.

Reason for placing it here is that of course, words are easy to say it's how the commitment is then acted upon. It's got some strong and pointed words towards the workforce in MG's view of things.

On a serious note, what do you think should be done to assist the below ? , also what do you see as a cause ? From RM's point of view, I would like to see further transparency on sickness levels and reasons of, but this information will never be released.


http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/royal-mails-mo ... on-1469289" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Greene told IBTimes UK that the improved relationship between Royal Mail and the CWU would help workers.

"Individuals don't want to come to work and face conflict, they've got enough to contend with in their lives," Greene said.

"So they certainly don't want added aggravation because of poor employer/employee relationships."

Greene spoke at the first European Business Leadership Forum to Target Depression in the Workplace.

The chief executive has backed the group's new business charter, which is designed to target depression in the workplace.

"If anyone, in any workplace, looks at things like morale and absenteeism; if you scratch below those numbers, you will see a very significant problem for some people with mental health issues," Greene said.

"Sadly, there's still a lot of stigma [around mental illness].

"About 18% of people report that their absence is due to depression and mental health issues at Royal Mail, we think it's probably higher because people would be concerned about telling us."

Greene explained that 1% of absence in the Royal Mail is worth about £30m.

"The worst thing you can do is to let people suffer in silence and in isolation," Greene said.

"Sometimes the workplace is a contributor, there are such things as toxic workplaces, but often work is really helpful to people's wellbeing."

The Six Principles of the European Business Charter

1. A Healthy, Prevention-Focused Workplace

2. An Informed and Understanding Workplace

3. A Well-Trained, Responsive Workplace

4. An Open, Safe and Secure Workplace

5. An Adaptive, Supportive Workplace

6. A Workplace with Ties to Community Care and Key Influencers

[Dee Plish]

"About 18% of people report that their absence is due to depression and mental health issues at Royal Mail, we think it's probably higher because people would be concerned about telling us."

"Sometimes the workplace is a contributor, there are such things as toxic workplaces,..."

It's rife in your own company Moya. Any idea why? Tens of thousands of OPG's know the answer. Your tenure has proven you don't give a damn about this problem and will do NOTHING to solve it in reality despite weasel words to a cozy conference.

More rank hypocrisy from the chief exec.

[houseoflords]

Thse at the top dont give a Rats Ass, actions speak louder than words and that's all they are is Words. Full of Lies.

[jack]

"About 18% of people report that their absence is due to depression and mental health issues at Royal Mail, we think it's probably higher because people would be concerned about telling us."

"Sometimes the workplace is a contributor, there are such things as toxic workplaces,..."

It's rife in your own company Moya. Any idea why? Tens of thousands of OPG's know the answer. Your tenure has proven you don't give a damn about this problem and will do NOTHING to solve it in reality despite weasel words to a cozy conference.

More rank hypocrisy from the chief exec.

I really don't know how she has the audacity to spout such bullshit

[glenfiddich]

ive only found the job depressing since she took over

[postslippete]

Just words that are not always put into practice unfortunately...


I know of at least two of our colleagues who committed suicide because of this job. One of them was a really good friend who I used to go round to his house and we would write songs and play music together. When I look back now I realise that he was desperately reaching out to me.

All the signs were there but I was just too young and naive to see them. He was constantly under pressure from the line manager to deliver his mail and he always complained that he never had the time to deliver it. In fairness, he did have one of the bigger rounds in the office at the time. But everyday was a constant struggle; and this was before they brought in the lapsing!! I remember visiting his house once and there were about 12 boxes of door to doors sat in the kitchen left over from the last few weeks. He just put them in his car and dumped them there. I should have notified the manager then or maybe helped him out to deliver them; but he just shrugged it off.

Next thing I knew he rang in sick and he stayed on sick for about a month. He never answered the phone, never answered the door. Last time we saw him he was staggering home down the street drunk; apparently he had split up from his wife. I was working in the office when one of the managers informed me that he was dead. At the time, I felt no emotion, it didn't actually sink in. He was only five years older than me with three kids. Apparently, he was 5k in debt when he died and could see no way out.

Ive come to realise though that not everyone is suited to working for Royal Mail regardless of age or whatever. One of my friends and former colleagues got the sack and he reckons although at the time it was the worst thing that happened; in time, it ended up being the best thing that happened because he now works at a factory and no longer has to worry about running round to do all these lapse deliveries. Which, whilst Im on the subject of, seems to be one of the biggest sources of unrest from "our" people. We collapse every single day regardless of how busy it is. It would be really nice to have collapse free day on a Saturday, for example. Now imagine how good it would feel, not having to rush round (and make mistakes), just so I could actually watch my own football team play at home.

Now I know the procedure well. If you are not taking the lapse then managers usually want to examine your frame before tie-up. They then inform you that you maybe finished a little earlier on the tuesday (even though you took out the extra lapse that they gave you then). They make you feel guilty about not doing the extra work, and to me, taking out the extra loops or whatever and then having to ring the office whilst on delivery that you will then not be delivering the mail is actually bullying you into doing the extra work. Even line managers hate collapsing duties because of the added pressure into trying to cut costs which can lead to a lot of grief from staff.

Still the best part of the job for me is being out there on the streets delivering the post. So just imagine how good an office environment we would have if we didn't have managers!!

[jack]

Just words that are not always put into practice unfortunately...

Quite true, my grannie always used to say 'tell them what they want to hear', seems moyas adopted the same approach.

[noggin1969]

"The worst thing you can do is to let people suffer in silence and in isolation," Greene said.

"Sometimes the workplace is a contributor, there are such things as toxic workplaces, but often work is really helpful to people's wellbeing."

May explain why RM are in such a rush to push a couple of people out on IHR's at our office.

[trav65]

we had a postman hang himself in the delivery office.

[piranha]

Not too far from my DO a postman did hang himself last year. RM don't give a s@@@ about their staff. Someone from my DO was off sick for months with depression and on their return to work they were sacked.

If you are young enough to retrain, do it, there is no secure future or career at RM anymore unless you are a DOM with no morals.

[krussel]

Along with the pressure of trying to complete a delivery and the subsequent harassment from untrained managers there is the solitude part of the job.
Perhaps this has been helped with pairing up on park and loop deliveries but delivery Posties tend to spend long parts of their day with just their own thoughts for company.

Add the lack of personal progression available and you have a mixing pot for depression. In fairness I think this is the same in many lower grade types of employment with poorly trained managers.
Depression ruins peoples lives and is a real illness which will effect all of us at some point in our lives. Unlike some employers RM are not equipped to deal with it.

[5plusbonusball]

POSTSLIPPETTE SAID Still the best part of the job for me is being out there on the streets delivering the post. So just imagine how good an office environment we would have if we didn't have managers!!

Well said.

[Lounge Lizard]

Along with the pressure of trying to complete a delivery and the subsequent harassment from untrained managers there is the solitude part of the job.
Perhaps this has been helped with pairing up on park and loop deliveries but delivery Posties tend to spend long parts of their day with just their own thoughts for company.

Add the lack of personal progression available and you have a mixing pot for depression. In fairness I think this is the same in many lower grade types of employment with poorly trained managers.
Depression ruins peoples lives and is a real illness which will effect all of us at some point in our lives. Unlike some employers RM are not equipped to deal with it.

But it can be "the solitude part of the job" that keeps you going.
Out of the office and you're your own boss, no harassment from untrained managers, no colleagues whingeing that you've got an easier round than them, no crap music on the radio, just your own thoughts to help put things into perspective.
And why any need for "personal progression" if you've got a round you know, like and can do and you would struggle with further challenges ?

[krussel]

Along with the pressure of trying to complete a delivery and the subsequent harassment from untrained managers there is the solitude part of the job.
Perhaps this has been helped with pairing up on park and loop deliveries but delivery Posties tend to spend long parts of their day with just their own thoughts for company.

Add the lack of personal progression available and you have a mixing pot for depression. In fairness I think this is the same in many lower grade types of employment with poorly trained managers.
Depression ruins peoples lives and is a real illness which will effect all of us at some point in our lives. Unlike some employers RM are not equipped to deal with it.

And why any need for "personal progression" if you've got a round you know, like and can do and you would struggle with further challenges ?

For some people, esp those newer to the job, they can see working for RM as a dead end low paid job. This can have a negative effect on your health.