New starter..... The basics!!

Ottoni · Post by **Ottoni** » 07 Aug 2016, 10:20

Hi everyone just thought I would introduce myself, due to start on Wednesday 17th August at the Harlow DO, and have an induction at Chelmsford on Monday the 15th. Have been reading through these forums and was just trying to find an idiots guide to some of the terminology. Just would like to know what I have to do in the mornings regarding a frame? What is one and what is it used for? How many bags of mail do you think I will have to sort onto one? How long does this take? Any advice would be appreciated! Thankyou

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 07 Aug 2016, 10:36

Ottoni wrote:Hi everyone just thought I would introduce myself, due to start on Wednesday 17th August at the Harlow DO, and have an induction at Chelmsford on Monday the 15th. Have been reading through these forums and was just trying to find an idiots guide to some of the terminology. Just would like to know what I have to do in the mornings regarding a frame? What is one and what is it used for? How many bags of mail do you think I will have to sort onto one? How long does this take? Any advice would be appreciated! Thankyou

Glossary http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=12657" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As to the rest, I wouldn't worry about it now. All of what you have asked about will depend on the delivery itself so no point in concerning yourself about it as training will be provided.

A frame is where we sort the mail into delivery order.

Starts like this:

Fills like this

Empties by putting into bags

Deliver Like this

In essence its that simple, though the detail can be complicated.

Ottoni · Post by **Ottoni** » 07 Aug 2016, 10:44

Thankyou for that, very much the newbie! Got to admit have read some horror stories on here and hope it's not like this everywhere! I've worked in retail for about 20 years (Bhs!) and am not afraid of some hard work, am used to putting in 40 to 50 hours a week. Am just interested in keeping my head down and getting on with job!

Ottoni · Post by **Ottoni** » 07 Aug 2016, 13:15

I understand that forums aren't a place to vent things that go well, but is there anyone out there who can say they have a good experience working with Royal Mail, because they seem very thin on the ground!?

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 07 Aug 2016, 13:48

yes - me Best job ever.

Ottoni · Post by **Ottoni** » 07 Aug 2016, 13:51

Good to know!!

tinkz · Post by **tinkz** » 08 Aug 2016, 09:47

If you do get lumbered with one of the hellish DOs just remember its only a small part of your day that you are actually in there, and once you're out its a pretty nice job

SpongeBobPants · Post by **SpongeBobPants** » 08 Aug 2016, 15:01

I've been working for RM for about six weeks now and I love it.

PoStIeInThEmAkInG · Post by **PoStIeInThEmAkInG** » 10 Aug 2016, 23:52

Hi and welcome.

I started beginning of June and absolutely love the time in the DO first thing can be a little daunting at first but you soon get used to the procedures and practices. You will adapt things to suit your way of working as nearly everybody I've worked with since starting has their own little ways of doing certain bits. At the end of the day, as long as all the mail is sorted in the correct frame and its delivered to the correct addresses every day (and the most important part is scanning everything that needs scanning and ensuring that your specials are delivered before 1pm) then the job really is t that difficult. I'm only in the DO for about an hour/hour and a half each morning and then I'm out and about, which is the best part of the job (especially if it's dry and sunny). Getting paid weekly is also a new thing for me and its great.

Best of luck with out all. Stick with it if you find it difficult at first as it will get easier.

Ottoni · Post by **Ottoni** » 11 Aug 2016, 13:48

Cheers for that, much appreciated

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 11 Aug 2016, 17:33

Obviously, you will want to make a good impression for your employers, so things like working overtime and managing different rounds on a daily basis will be looked upon very favourably by your manager.

But remember that as a part-timer that you have a start time for a reason. Don't be tempted to come in earlier because the chap that you are working with is itching to get out on delivery. There is little point in finishing early because the only thing that managers will do is give you all more work to do to make up the time. And this in turn puts pressure on your line manager to get that work covered.

Now read that last sentence again. If you finish early then chances are you will be given more work to do. Managers are forever looking at ways at making the delivery rounds bigger, and as extra work on delivery is one of the bugbears of many posties, don't give them any reason to make the rounds any bigger than what they are.

Ottoni · Post by **Ottoni** » 11 Aug 2016, 19:53

Thanks for the info, some real good advice,!thankyou.