Length of walk

[VansFortress]

Have found paperwork from when I joined royal mail in 2011, saying Postman are to walk no more than 8 miles per day. I don't recall this changing over the last few years? So what happens when you are asked to take lapsing or extra work, which may be able to be completed in your time but will mean you are walking more than 8 miles. May seem petty to some, however I have noticed many older work colleagues with ruined knees and backs from being bullied by management to take extra

[Celgar]

Never heard of an eight mile rule before. I started in 1997 and I'm fairly sure we walked far more than eight miles then. Given that walks are often six hours in length now it's likely even rural walks in vans are walking more than eight miles now.
Another well known statistic is that most posties don't live that many years in retirement. With the state retirement age moving further into the distance a fair few posties likely won't see a quid of their pension before they walk through the pearly gates.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Have found paperwork from when I joined royal mail in 2011, saying Postman are to walk no more than 8 miles per day. I don't recall this changing over the last few years? So what happens when you are asked to take lapsing or extra work, which may be able to be completed in your time but will mean you are walking more than 8 miles. May seem petty to some, however I have noticed many older work colleagues with ruined knees and backs from being bullied by management to take extra

IIRC that 8 miles is part of the job description when they recruit staff. If so that means it has no legal standing and can't be challenged or used as a reason not to do work.

Current job adverts make no mention of distance travelled.

[crimson king]

Never heard of an eight mile rule before. I started in 1997 and I'm fairly sure we walked far more than eight miles then. Given that walks are often six hours in length now it's likely even rural walks in vans are walking more than eight miles now.
Another well known statistic is that most posties don't live that many years in retirement. With the state retirement age moving further into the distance a fair few posties likely won't see a quid of their pension before they walk through the pearly gates.

Celgar, do you have any links to that statistic about posties not living long in retirement?

Genuine question. It'd make interesting, albeit f***ing depressing, reading. I'm wondering if there are any pertinent reasons as to why, as you'd think we'd be reasonably fit, cardiovascular-wise. f****d knees and backs but healthy in the old ticker and lung departments at least, I'd have thought.

[Chalky13]

From arriving in the morning to finishing my walk, it’s currenttly up to 13mile and averages 10

[Celgar]

Never heard of an eight mile rule before. I started in 1997 and I'm fairly sure we walked far more than eight miles then. Given that walks are often six hours in length now it's likely even rural walks in vans are walking more than eight miles now.
Another well known statistic is that most posties don't live that many years in retirement. With the state retirement age moving further into the distance a fair few posties likely won't see a quid of their pension before they walk through the pearly gates.

Celgar, do you have any links to that statistic about posties not living long in retirement?

Genuine question. It'd make interesting, albeit f***ing depressing, reading. I'm wondering if there are any pertinent reasons as to why, as you'd think we'd be reasonably fit, cardiovascular-wise. f****d knees and backs but healthy in the old ticker and lung departments at least, I'd have thought.

I don't have any info I can link for you I'm afraid but our union rep has often mentioned this as being a thing that tends to occur. The last postie to retire at our DO sadly didn't last that many more years before he passed on. I think this job generally just both wears you down & wears you out.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/ ... expectancy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers are part of the Semi-Routine group. People in this group can expect to live for 77.9 years.
In 1982-86 the life expectancy in this group was 71.3 years.

[Navalron]

To get the average age of death by retired posties download the pension figures. I can't remember the exact section. But I know of a few people I worked beside in this job who died within a couple of years of leaving through vr/ retirement. I know this happens in a lot of jobs but the police/fire and post office week to have quite bad stats when it comes to that. Same as the forces, especially the ones like warrant officers who do more than their 22.

[crimson king]

Thanks, Celgar, TBT and Navalron.

77.9 years,eh? There was a time I'd have taken that, but now I'm nearing the half century mark it just feels like the hourglass is running out