Induction day...

[chillout1571]

Hi,

I just wondered what was involved in the induction day? Is it more the filling in of forms or practical things?

Also, I assume we have some form of driving test during our first week? What does thatinvolve?

Thank you,

Sarah

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Form filinng, briefings on RM and CWU, H&S stuff.

Not a driving test but an long driving assessment (3 hours) and a hazard perception test on the computer - also not in your 1st week, because of high turnover it won't happen for a few months, perhaps longer.

[chillout1571]

I see, so a general training and learning about the company sort of day. So are we just trusted to drive initially? In the first day of training on the job, do you get shown your route and drive with another person?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to get a feel for how it is all structured for newbies

Thanks

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No you cant drive till you have done the driving assessment, which in RM is called a changeover. As this is expensive RM don't usually put people in for it till a few months have passed.

The first 2 or 3 days (a week if you are lucky) you'll be under the guidance of a trainer, after that depending on the duty you could be on your own with a large trolley, or paired up with a qualified driver.

[chillout1571]

I see, that's interesting. Excellent, I have a much better idea now.

Thank you

[peshwaarinaan]

chillout1571, they have recently changed the format of the induction day and it applies to all new entrants, regardless of what grade you are or where you work. My induction was 4 weeks ago and most of it was a waste of time to be honest. Some of it was useful but it was the emphasis was on Royal Mail and very little to do with what your new job will entail. We were told to wear jeans and trainers and led to believe that there was some practical element involved but they have done away with that. My training in the office involved half an hour with the workbased coach and watching a video! Straight after that I was sent out on a round shadowing someone.

I'm in my 4th week now and I share a van with someone and we loop from the same van. No one has mentioned me doing the driving yet which suits me fine.

When do you start?

[Elm1984]

My induction was Tuesday, 90mind drive from where I live.....it was benefits of working with RM, joining the union and doing some quizzes and games!
First day sorting a bit of mail, bundling it up and putting it into correct bags, getting your PDA and specials, shaddowing a coach and learning my walk.
Second day I did the walk with coach watching me
Third day (today) I'm on my own!!!!!

I'm worried about eating and drinking though, in case I need the toilet.... as I deliver to rural estates and there are no toilets (being a woman there are going to be certain times of the month where I'm going to need to use one) haven't had any breaks on first 2days.

Having collections training next week as well as driver training

I thought I was physically quite fit......how wrong was I - total new found respect for RM workers

Any tips on how to increase the speed of my round would be appreciated

[Flora]

Same as Elm1984, my induction was on Tuesday and entailed the same. No manual handling training, safe use of Yorks and bag lifting, this should be done in your office now.

My first training day yesterday, within 10mins of being at sorting office (I got there 20 mins early) I was filling a frame. Everyone was friendly and I enjoyed being on the job. My trainer turned up and we finished indoors around 10.30. Learnt where everthing was and how to do lots of bits. No log on code for pda yet (takes about a week to come) so used a managers code to log on.

Round was apparently not a great one to be trained on, but didn't bother me. (If I can do this one I can do all them attitude) Trainer drove and I did the majority of the mail, but to speed things up my trainer, who was lovely, helped out. I haven't done driver training yet, but Im confident I will have a better idea by the time I'm driving of where to park up each time. We parked on a lot of double yellows lines, which I was assured we are allowed to do??

My only mistake was posting a signed for item , without getting a signature the resident wasn't in (care home), but luckily the care home manager was able to recover the letter.

Third attemptusing the pda and I got the hang of it. 739's took me a while to fill in, so I can work on speeding up that part. Amazed at the size of some of the packages I had to deliver. Wouldn't fit in the bags and a tad awkward to carry with mail bundles.

We cut off on time with two bags left to deliver, trainer had rang manager to tell him and a colleague met us in his RM van and took the bags off us to complete our duty.

Handled missorts and 739 (carded) items before signing out.

Loved my first day. Ache a little today in my hip joints, but feel great.

Start date is tomorrow and I know I'm on a park and loop with the guy on the next frame to me. So we park and loop both duties together. Looking at the weather I'll be putting a pair of shorts on!!! Walking approx 20 thousand steps sure keeps you warm.

Hope this info helps any new starters who are curious about their first day.

[Flora]

"A better idea of where to park" ( missing from third paragraph)

[Elm1984]

Allieo36 do you have a pedometer?

My walk has 6 loops and is about 8 miles (so my driver said) I need to find my pedometer, think my kids have hidden it somewhere!!
I'm very competitive and just want to beat my time......my driver today said its one of the longest rounds someone from the office said its the easiest........a lot of farm tracks, lanes and gates to open and close does slow me down though

Today I finished early 2.15pm a lot less to deliver

Tuesday's are my day off each week, but that suits me as I can't get childcare that day

[chillout1571]

Thank you for all the feed back. So is it all pretty straightforward? Is the mail organised in the van so you just grab and go to whatever street it states?

What would you say the toughest thing is?

Thanks

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The toughest part at the begininng is the organising part - once you are trained you and your partner will be responsble for it.

But on delivery you have the secret addresses that must have been built by the SAS they are so hard to find, the dogs, kids, "got any bands", "postman pat" calls, the paths that are hidden postie traps, or the lurking hanging basket, not forget the uncollected canine offerings. Actually its a fairly easy job mentally, just a lot to remember when you start, but once its clicked into place its not a bad job, you just have to stick it out till your stamina builds up.

[chillout1571]

Haha, okay excellent. I suppose all jobs are tough to start with. This may sound moronic but it says I'm starting 9.30-2.30 everyday, does this mean someone else sorts my post and I just deliver It? If that's the case initially do they stick you on the same round so you learn it properly? They rang me today and informed me they would like me to work in my local delivery office and not in the one I originally applied for. It's just up my road and will save petrol. I'm hoping it'll initially go in my favour as I'm more familiar with street addresses etc. I wonder if I'll be delivering my own post!l
Thanks, Sarah

[Flora]

Elm1984 I have a fitbit I bought myself a few months back. I love it. X (was Allieo36)

[Elm1984]

I might treat myself to a Fitbit, my friend has one and I was slightly jealous ha

My collections training is from 9.30-6.30 all week next week even though I only have a 10 hr contract but I don't mind doing some overtime

TrueBlueTerrier can I refuse overtime if I cant do it? My core hours are 2 per day.
I told my manager I needed to leave at 3pm on the day I started (giving 2 weeks notice for the date I couldn't do) he wasn't too happy but has changed it

Chillout1571 ask them to number your bundles at first it will make your life easier