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Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
Lydialola
Posts: 5
Joined: 09 Apr 2016, 12:09
Gender: Female

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Post by Lydialola »

Hi I've received my contract this morning giving my start date and end date 6 months later.
What are the chances of being kept on after 6 months as it says:-

"The reason for your contract being fixed term is that it's anticipated the requirement of your employment is likely to cease on or about the expiry date because of business reorganisation "

I worked for Parcelforce for 9 years up until 2010 but got ill so this is my first job after being back to full health.

Feeling a bit anxious about starting, have my induction day Monday 16th the start Wednesday 18th on a 24hr contract

Any advice would be great...thanks
Scotland1
Posts: 180
Joined: 06 Sep 2013, 16:17
Gender: Female

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Post by Scotland1 »

A very good chance of being kept on, keep your head down, do job properly and don't take a sickie in the 6 months and u will be fine
IcanthelpthewayIam
Posts: 4067
Joined: 26 May 2009, 13:37
Gender: Male

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Post by IcanthelpthewayIam »

Nothing guarunteed but just do the maths may plus 6 months is November, highly unlikely to be not renewed a few weeks before our busiest time of year
mjt120
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 53
Joined: 26 Oct 2015, 18:49
Gender: Male

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Post by mjt120 »

I agree keep your head down do the best job you can and you should be fine. It will seem hard at first especially the walking but you will get faster as the months go by. Just hope you get trained properly and shown how to do things the correct way. Good luck.
Lydialola
Posts: 5
Joined: 09 Apr 2016, 12:09
Gender: Female

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Post by Lydialola »

Thanks for the replies...
I intend to give it my all, I was on a temporary contract for the first 2 years with Parcelforce so have a small idea of how it works :)
Chewster
Posts: 527
Joined: 15 Jan 2016, 12:34
Gender: Male

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Post by Chewster »

Yeah just do your job and you'll be fine. I don't think they REALLY hire anyone on a temporary basis, as long as you're not god-awful at the job they'll definitely be looking to keep you forever and ever
Postie45
Posts: 2160
Joined: 21 Aug 2012, 23:05
Gender: Male

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Post by Postie45 »

yeah they basically employ every new starter on contracts like this now, after while you can be eligible for full time. These 6 month contracts give RM great flexibility though.
I dont want to sound negative but if I started now I dont know how long Id last, the deliveries now take experienced postmen past their time a lot of days (of course this is dependant on the office you go to). However I guess knowing this then if you are struggling when you first begin you wont get too downhearted, good luck !
bustedflush
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1493
Joined: 16 Feb 2013, 11:19
Gender: Male

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Post by bustedflush »

The question is, as the new starters lasting over 6 months are about 1/9, will you want to be kept on??
Nondescript
Posts: 232
Joined: 29 Nov 2013, 16:25
Gender: Male

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Post by Nondescript »

bustedflush wrote:The question is, as the new starters lasting over 6 months are about 1/9, will you want to be kept on??
I don't doubt that figure, but where did you obtain it from?
Chewster
Posts: 527
Joined: 15 Jan 2016, 12:34
Gender: Male

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Post by Chewster »

I don't doubt the figure either, we've had quite a few people leaving after just a few weeks over the last year. But I would say to Lydia, and any other new starter, that the job does take a fair bit of getting used to. I was doing hard labour on farms before I started here and even I was finding it physically exhausting. I'd make sure to give it at least a month or two before deciding if you want to stay or not
bustedflush
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1493
Joined: 16 Feb 2013, 11:19
Gender: Male

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Post by bustedflush »

Nondescript wrote:
bustedflush wrote:The question is, as the new starters lasting over 6 months are about 1/9, will you want to be kept on??
I don't doubt that figure, but where did you obtain it from?
I was told this at induction in Bristol. We were told should I say.
salomon2
Posts: 103
Joined: 07 Jan 2016, 10:27
Gender: Female

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Post by salomon2 »

We've had people leave on the first day! But as you worked for parcel force I'm sure you have some idea of what to expect. Good luck on Monday .
Lydialola
Posts: 5
Joined: 09 Apr 2016, 12:09
Gender: Female

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Post by Lydialola »

Thanks everyone!!...I will go in with an open mind, I'm looking forward to getting back in to work after being off so long.
I need my independence back...I'm back to full health after having a kidney transplant, so fingers crossed it works out.....
peshwaarinaan
Posts: 381
Joined: 29 May 2015, 11:35
Gender: Female

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Post by peshwaarinaan »

Good luck Lydialola. I started last July on a 3 month contract and was given a long-term contract in October. When I started everyone (including the DOM) told me that everyone hates it to start with and to give it at least 6 weeks to get used to it but I loved it from day 1.
Lydialola
Posts: 5
Joined: 09 Apr 2016, 12:09
Gender: Female

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Post by Lydialola »

Thank you so much Peshawaarinaan...I don't think it's helping reading some of the comments haha.
It's my induction tomorrow and I start Wednesday, my daughter and hubby have told me I'll be fine as my 19yr old daughter said ( you're not soft ) and I believe I'm no shrinking violet as my Parcelforce colleagues once told me lol...x