Christmas casual/security checks

[daniellet478]

Hi

I submitted an application for Christmas casual on 1st september,, received an email on 3rd October saying I was invited to a recruitment event. So went on 16th October and got an offer letter which I start on the 2nd December. My status on royal mail says processing security check, how long does that take? And also when did you get your welcome pack?

[daniellet478]

Also what is the dress code? And when do we get our I'd passes?

[chrisj]

I guess you have been offered a place to work in a Mail Centre - and it also appears that this is through Royal Mail as opposed to Angard??? (the same ). I assume that it is RM because of the letter of employment and start date - I might be wrong, of course.

You should not worry too much about receiving the ID badge; not for now. But make sure that you hassle them for your ID badge if you have not received it 2 weeks before start date...

The other important thing as well as ID is to have additional proof of ID (passport, diver's licence etc) or whatever document they ask you to bring on your first day of starting: read and read the fine prints.

MCs are notorious for sending people home and not recalling them if they forget things like above...

*BTW. I now work in delivery but I have done Xmas casuals at both MC and MDEC in the past.

[Rivaluk]

I was told today Dress code is fairly smart/casual, You might want to bring a coat on the first day in case your working outside, they might also supply you with a high vis jacket.

[aaron1986]

Smart-casual? Someone's been pulling your leg!

Security checks take as long as they take. I appreciate that's not a helpful answer, but it depend on the application. Each is different.

You'll get ID at the start of your first shift. Take your offer letter with you.

All Xmas casuals are contracted to Royal Mail, not through Angard.

[adb2aber]

MCs are notorious for sending people home and not recalling them if they forget things like above...

Generally if people don't bring along stuff they have been explicitly asked to bring you don't waste your time asking them back. Were you to try flying abroad without a passport they'd have pretty much the same reaction to letting you on the plane.

[daniellet478]

I think its through RM as I've never heard of that other company before. Yes i will be taking a coat due to the early start, some people are saying smart/casual and some are saying casual.

Will the WPs be set out once you've passed the security checks?

[goofyhumor]

Pretty sure we got our ids on our starting day last Christmas. People turn up in jeans, t-shirts and hoodies. Been working with Angard sine March and pretty much same on the dress. Some Royal Mail employees don't wear the uniform and just turn up in jeans and t-shirt.

[tabact]

Jeans/shorts, trainers & T-shirt are normal for a mail centre. Take a jumper in case it's cold but if it is anything like the MC I work in it will be warm. There is no point wearing anything too expensive as you could be tipping sacks of mail out of wet or dusty sacks. Make sure you ask for a pair of gloves as soon as you start, RM supply them. It might be worth taking a pair of your own for the first day as managers never seem to have any when you ask. It is also more than likely you will be standing for the whole shift or walking miles pushing yorks (trolleys) around so comfortable shoes. A bottle of water is another good thing to have with you, it's easy to get dehydrated and there are water coolers where you can refill.

The welcome pack is just a letter confirming date & times and a few other bits of paperwork. You should get that after your security checks clear and it will tell you what to bring for the first shift. As others have said you pick up your ID at your first shift unless they've changed it this year.

[skemar007]

Went on the 8th for interview/assessment.
On the 20th my status changed to security checks passed
21st got confirmation email
Today status changed to Hired and start date agreed
I start on the 2nd of December

Still plenty of time life, you just got to wait it out:)

[daniellet478]

Been almost 2 weeks and still waiting for it to change

[aaron1986]

There's no need to worry. You don't start for 4.5 weeks. Typically, it takes 2-3 for the security checks to process, though it is very application-dependent. The more exotic your past, the longer it will take, I'd expect. Still, plenty of time.

[daniellet478]

It changed after I wrote my last post. Just have to wait for my welcome pack now. Got my start date and time which hasn't changed