Ive just started as a postman, is this right, legal or usual

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Hi there.
I have just become a postman. Had the induction last thursday, went out with two different postmen on two different rounds (friday & Sat). Then went out on my own on Monday (well the round was shared with another newbie).

Was just wondering is this right? I was told i would be shadowing someone for two weeks til i got accustomed to the role.

My hours are meant to be 9-2 but so far i have been in at 8. Yesterday didnt finish til gone 3 and NO break. Is this legal?

Thinking of getting out already if this is how the job is going to be.

Any help, comments, advice welcomed.

[rhino49]

If you expected an easy life - leave now !

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Not an easy life, but just want what was promised when i signed up.

Is this an example of what is to come?

[kirstyx]

its up to you to take your break this job is mainly managing your time effectively. unfortunatly shadowing an experienced postie for more than 4 days is very unusual so you were probably told the ideal situation but due to the busy time of year plus high sickness means as soon as you are classed as competent you are on your own. its hard physical work and it takes a while to get into the rhythem of the job but once you are there its enjoyable once you are away from the managers that is

[kirstyx]

if you are told to come in early then make sure you get paid for it if you arent being paid to come in an hour early then dont do it. if you need to finish on time then make sure you notify the managers asap and again consult the manager once you have fully prepped the frame so then he can take an acceptable amount off you but honestly the finish times are a struggle to meet untill you are fully fit and know your route well and its not a majorly heavy day

[korky]

Hi there.
I have just become a postman. Had the induction last thursday, went out with two different postmen on two different rounds (friday & Sat). Then went out on my own on Monday (well the round was shared with another newbie).

Was just wondering is this right? I was told i would be shadowing someone for two weeks til i got accustomed to the role.

My hours are meant to be 9-2 but so far i have been in at 8. Yesterday didnt finish til gone 3 and NO break. Is this legal?

Thinking of getting out already if this is how the job is going to be.

Any help, comments, advice welcomed.

the 9-2 contracts are a scam, don't know any who actually works those times,
we used to have newbies get decent training years ago, don't think anyone gets any now, my work place coach doesn't work at our office, all are thrown straight in at the deep end.
1st, do you want the overtime with starting earlier & finishing later? most do, others just do it, probably fear to start with?
you are allowed 20/30/40 mins or even more break time based on how many hours you are actually working that day, not your contracted hours,
some take it all or half at the end, just add it to your finish time if you do this (but most will frown upon this) though why anyone would want a 40 minute break after doing 1 hours prep then face a 4-5 hour slog straight through,
it beggars belief the mentality of managers who would pair 2 newbies together, it's not rocket science but an experienced oppo is handy,
you will probably be paired with someone who doesn't officially finish until after 3 next week
keep notes of what hours you work to cross check on wage slip

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Thanks for responses, appreciated.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Hi there.

Hi
I

have just become a postman. Had the induction last thursday, went out with two different postmen on two different rounds (friday & Sat). Then went out on my own on Monday (well the round was shared with another newbie).

Thats about average - especially this time of year. I had the same when I started but then went onto a singleton round all by myself. At least thats improved with the new paired deliveries.

Was just wondering is this right? I was told i would be shadowing someone for two weeks til i got accustomed to the role.

Thats the ideal, but its not always possible.

My hours are meant to be 9-2 but so far i have been in at 8. Yesterday didnt finish til gone 3 and NO break. Is this legal?

The NO break is illegal - but its your responsibility to take it, as its paid the manager will assume that you have.

Thinking of getting out already if this is how the job is going to be.

Stick it out till at least Christmas as if you can cope with the work at this time of year you will be okay for the rest. It usually takes about 3 months on average to get the body and mind used to the work. One day you'll be shocked how much quicker you did the duty compared to now.

Any help, comments, advice welcomed.

As I said stick it out for 3 months and it will all click into place. This is a fairly simple job, but you need to be fit both mentally and physically to enjoy it, and that adjustment takes time.

[Hodsyharry]

I have been in the job for just over a month. I shadowed an experienced postie for 3 days then on my own. Surprised you are working with another new postie, doesn't make sense to me. If I start at 9am, quite often little is prepped and can find I am the only one in the office at 11am still sorting my round. Been starting to come in early and paid overtime to avoid being out too late. Happy to take paid overtime when I can and have been to told leave a section if I cannot work late. I have also been told to make sure I claim for my 20min break if back late. I have also found that sometimes I have finished at 1.30 and been told I can leave. Everything seems to be heating up for the Christmas run and by what have been said it is not going to be easy. I would suggest dig in the now and hope it been better for you in new year? Good luck.

[Nigel1505]

Plenty of advice on here without me adding to it; except to say the first twenty years are the worst, after that its a doddle.

[Justanotherstar]

if you don't take your break just add 40 minutes on when you book your overtime.

[Craig_Fairbrass]

if you don't take your break just add 40 minutes on when you book your overtime.

Don't think that's allowed, sure I read on here before that breaks cannot be taken as overtime.

[pants123]

Hi there.
I have just become a postman. Had the induction last thursday, went out with two different postmen on two different rounds (friday & Sat). Then went out on my own on Monday (well the round was shared with another newbie).

Was just wondering is this right? I was told i would be shadowing someone for two weeks til i got accustomed to the role.

My hours are meant to be 9-2 but so far i have been in at 8. Yesterday didnt finish til gone 3 and NO break. Is this legal?

Thinking of getting out already if this is how the job is going to be.

Any help, comments, advice welcomed.

the job is beyond human ability now,, everyone is being forced work for nothing now as the walks are 2 big,,, and will only get bigger, 2 years from now there will be no one to do delivery,as they will all have flogged everyone to death....

[raikky]

if you don't take your break just add 40 minutes on when you book your overtime.

Don't think that's allowed, sure I read on here before that breaks cannot be taken as overtime.

evertime we have a revision the manager always says everyone must have their break. does it happen? no. do ppl book in 40 mins and get it? yes

[tansorboy]

I had three days of training after the induction, then went solo, and was always last back to the office. It took me several weeks to work out what I was supposed to be doing, three months to get up to speed, and six months to be comfortable with this Hellish job. But I am super-fit now and have become full time, permanent.

Don't let anybody rush you, always take your breaks and book overtime if you go over your time. An old Postie told me soon after I started that if you don't punch anybody or steal anything, you will be kept on...Good Luck.