How many shifts can I expect to get as a casual mail sorter?

blueberrykisses · Post by **blueberrykisses** » 13 Apr 2016, 19:39

Just saw that they advertised for casual mail sorters on the Reed website, so I applied.
My question is, what does 'casual' mean exactly? How many hours can I expect a week? Or is it like one shift every two/three weeks?

Post by **Lockardian** » 17 Apr 2016, 02:30

The truth is, it can vary depending on the time of year and demand. You would be on a 'zero hours' contract, which means technically they don't have to give you any shifts, but in practice, from my own experience, expect an average of about one shift a week in quiet times, and anything up to daily shifts in the lead up to Christmas (you don't have to work every shift offered).

Realistically you're unlikely to go more than a couple of weeks without a shift at any time of year - then you may get three in the space of one week, then quiet again. It really depends, and I'm only speaking from my own experience at the Mail centre I work at.

I find it ideal if you have another part time job, or if you're only after part time work. The rate of pay is pretty good after you've worked 13 weeks too - I come out with £97 for working one nightshift; last year I did a part time job elsewhere 5 days a week and only brought home £128, with travelling expenses to come off that.

blueberrykisses · Post by **blueberrykisses** » 18 Apr 2016, 09:58

Si-Co wrote:The truth is, it can vary depending on the time of year and demand. You would be on a 'zero hours' contract, which means technically they don't have to give you any shifts, but in practice, from my own experience, expect an average of about one shift a week in quiet times, and anything up to daily shifts in the lead up to Christmas (you don't have to work every shift offered).

Realistically you're unlikely to go more than a couple of weeks without a shift at any time of year - then you may get three in the space of one week, then quiet again. It really depends, and I'm only speaking from my own experience at the Mail centre I work at.

I find it ideal if you have another part time job, or if you're only after part time work. The rate of pay is pretty good after you've worked 13 weeks too - I come out with £97 for working one nightshift; last year I did a part time job elsewhere 5 days a week and only brought home £128, with travelling expenses to come off that.

Thank you!

Are you with Angard?

kasu · Post by **kasu** » 18 Apr 2016, 14:08

When are the quiet times. Is it just the run up to Xmas is busy and the rest of the year is quiet? Or is there other seasonal periods that are a little busy? When does the 'run up to xmas' busy period start? If its from October for example that's three months of lots of shifts but if its just December then not so great.

I realise its local and based on business demand/need but would like to have an inkling what to expect.

Thanks a lot

uklad2 · Post by **uklad2** » 18 Apr 2016, 19:25

Easter is busy and school holidays seem to be busier, Christmas starts building up in November, once your on the higher rate even if you only get a couple of shifts it's better than the dole and all the hassle that goes with it.

Post by **Lockardian** » 19 Apr 2016, 14:01

blueberrykisses wrote:
Si-Co wrote:The truth is, it can vary depending on the time of year and demand. You would be on a 'zero hours' contract, which means technically they don't have to give you any shifts, but in practice, from my own experience, expect an average of about one shift a week in quiet times, and anything up to daily shifts in the lead up to Christmas (you don't have to work every shift offered).

Realistically you're unlikely to go more than a couple of weeks without a shift at any time of year - then you may get three in the space of one week, then quiet again. It really depends, and I'm only speaking from my own experience at the Mail centre I work at.

I find it ideal if you have another part time job, or if you're only after part time work. The rate of pay is pretty good after you've worked 13 weeks too - I come out with £97 for working one nightshift; last year I did a part time job elsewhere 5 days a week and only brought home £128, with travelling expenses to come off that.
Thank you!es
Are you with Angard?

Yes - I've been a casual Mail Sorter for just under a year. uklad2 pretty much sums up the quiet and busier times but it varies between sites and year to year. Flat sorting machines can break down which means they need to pull extra staff in to manually sort, etc.

People moan a lot on here about pay problems but personally this has only happened to me a couple of times. It's a pain to ring/email to get it sorted, but it gets sorted.

The only real snag is that, particularly during quiet times, you get little notice about shifts. They text or ring and ask you to work the same day usually. Of course you can say no, but you never know when the next shift is coming along!