Is anybody happy working as a postie on this board ?

Rapidryan88 · Post by **Rapidryan88** » 26 Aug 2018, 12:11

I’ve been here 3 months and I can say I somewhat like it. I went from a job of working till 10pm on s**t pay being insulted by customers to finishing early on great pay.

You’ll love it if your management isn’t s**t.
It can be stressful, bad for people with anxiety as you can be moved all over the place and it can be daunting doing your own delivery for first time.
Apart from it being taxing on your body it’s a good job so far. Definitely won’t be in a hurry to go elsewhere.

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 26 Aug 2018, 12:34

bmccoll wrote:It's a great job ruined by management and always has been. Once you're on you're walk you are you're own boss and can work it as you see fit. The best part is having a laugh and a chat with the customers. That takes a few minutes or so and can take you over you're time slightly but it does honestly make you're day.

Was management any different pre privatisation? Genuine question.

A lot of the old timers in my office say it's always been the same. Bullying, harrassment ect has always been a tool of incompetent gaffers to get the work covered. Two of the very worst culprets in our office were quickly got rid of after RM was privertised infact. Even when the company was public the Union had to fight like dogs for pay rises, AND a five day week apparently as I'm told six was standard for many years.

Bad managers will be bad managers, doesn't matter if it was a public or private company is my reading into the whole thing.

Driver74 · Post by **Driver74** » 26 Aug 2018, 16:23

It’s true that it was always a 6 day week across all shifts the overtime rates were much better till the way forward agreement but basic pay used to be much worse

Dorset Plodder · Post by **Dorset Plodder** » 26 Aug 2018, 21:01

I enjoy the job.... If I didn't I'd find another.

When things are getting you down just remember some of the other shite jobs you may have had to do.

I tell you what makes a major difference to me........ get yourself a Digital Radio and use it to relax when doing the job, or shut out the bullshit that some colleagues constantly spout when on IPS or throwing off!

Good Luck!

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 27 Aug 2018, 01:26

Driver74 wrote:It’s true that it was always a 6 day week across all shifts the overtime rates were much better till the way forward agreement but basic pay used to be much worse

This is basically what I hear. Double time and a half for Good Friday, or douple time and a days holiday. RM eventually said we're not paying it so the union said we're not working it then (fair enough). Same for Sunday collections.

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 27 Aug 2018, 01:31

From what I hear, the basic wage nowadays is far better compared to what it was; the overtime payments however were far better back in the day.

Which in itself suggests there was always that carrot to do overtime. You're just pushed into it more nowadays.

Tinoblade · Post by **Tinoblade** » 27 Aug 2018, 08:47

I’ve been here about 6 months and I absolutely love it! I think my managers are ok, but I just try and keep my head down and not have to really deal with them.
I get moved round almost daily but I don’t mind the variation and it’s a good way to get to know your fellow posties
Pays good and you can have overtime if you want it.
Although everyone is saying wait for Christmas and see how much you like it then haha

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 27 Aug 2018, 09:14

Tinoblade wrote:Although everyone is saying wait for Christmas and see how much you like it then haha

Round about mid November is when it really starts picking up in the run up to xmas

Tinoblade · Post by **Tinoblade** » 27 Aug 2018, 09:36

SpacePhoenix wrote:
Tinoblade wrote:Although everyone is saying wait for Christmas and see how much you like it then haha
Round about mid November is when it really starts picking up in the run up to xmas

Is it as bad as people make out?

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 27 Aug 2018, 09:44

Tinoblade wrote:
Is it as bad as people make out?

No.

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 27 Aug 2018, 09:59

Tinoblade wrote:
SpacePhoenix wrote:
Tinoblade wrote:Although everyone is saying wait for Christmas and see how much you like it then haha
Round about mid November is when it really starts picking up in the run up to xmas
Is it as bad as people make out?

It probably varies depending on on office type and office location, it's always a lot busier in MCs, many MCs will probably have a marquee in their yard either as extra storage or as an extra sorting area. For some MCs, it could be worse this year down to Network 18, if RM sticks to the Network arrival patterns for work coming into MCs from other MCs then some MCs won't have a hope in hell of clearing and during the main time when xmas cards go through the system, there'll be loads going manual where there either won't be the time to run it at all through an IMP/iLSM or there's only be enough time to run it on the sortplan that's just down to DO level

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 27 Aug 2018, 10:38

clashcityrocker wrote:
Tinoblade wrote:
Is it as bad as people make out?
No.

After nearly 15 years In deliveries - No. The workload rises but the day to day crap nearly disappears. No lapsing, extra bodies from the leave reserves having no one to cover, as much overtime as you need, managers don't watch the clock, and because the QofS is suspended, on really busy days the managers can roll stuff over to the next day if needed.

So the traffic is higher, but its a more relaxed management style and I reckon we get more done with less disruption at Christmas. Go figure, trust the workforce and suspend the command and control type management and it works better - who knew.

However, to a new starter, its daunting to see how much work they have to get through, and it can be a shock, But if you crack on and avoid any stress its not that bad a time.

DirtyHarry · Post by **DirtyHarry** » 27 Aug 2018, 12:45

Worst job I've ever had, worst company I've ever worked for.

I'm convinced all senior managers, and more than a few Doms and assistant Doms, actually hate the people who do all of the work, namely us.

The lack of respect there is for some of the most hardworking people in Britain, the level of absolute pish-taking they have to endure at the incompetent hands of Royal Mail management, I find simply staggering.

Without us, there is no business. Simple as that.

Were I younger, I'd be off like a shot.
Although, having said that, I do not for one moment, envy the young, or the kind of culture of work that exists today in Britain.

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 27 Aug 2018, 14:34

Tinoblade wrote:
SpacePhoenix wrote:
Tinoblade wrote:Although everyone is saying wait for Christmas and see how much you like it then haha
Round about mid November is when it really starts picking up in the run up to xmas
Is it as bad as people make out?

Depends how your office is run. I think ours works okay, we have 6 dedicated packet drivers in ours running oversized to help ease the pressure. Works well usually. Last year however was a nightmare, we lost 2 days delivery due to the weather which totally f**ked up everything up. Took us a week and a half to catch up!

Tinoblade · Post by **Tinoblade** » 27 Aug 2018, 20:13

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
clashcityrocker wrote:
Tinoblade wrote:
Is it as bad as people make out?
No.
After nearly 15 years In deliveries - No. The workload rises but the day to day crap nearly disappears. No lapsing, extra bodies from the leave reserves having no one to cover, as much overtime as you need, managers don't watch the clock, and because the QofS is suspended, on really busy days the managers can roll stuff over to the next day if needed.

So the traffic is higher, but its a more relaxed management style and I reckon we get more done with less disruption at Christmas. Go figure, trust the workforce and suspend the command and control type management and it works better - who knew.

However, to a new starter, its daunting to see how much work they have to get through, and it can be a shock, But if you crack on and avoid any stress its not that bad a time.

Yeah I guess stressing won’t get through it any quicker!

But if management is more relaxed on the whole and we’re left to get on with it all sounds good. And the overtime around Xmas sounds good to me