Chance of getting through probation period

Lawrencepa2014 · Post by **Lawrencepa2014** » 04 Jul 2019, 16:29

Will it be easy to get through probation? I’m 2 months in and I can be a bit slow at times. I’ve been moved about a lot so when I do new routes I can be very slow to start with. I am late back half the time. Very rarely do I get back on time on a Wednesday even if it’s a route I know well. I know I’m below the average for a postman but I was wondering if I’d still likely be kept on?

danterossetti · Post by **danterossetti** » 04 Jul 2019, 16:34

Post by **Trail** » 04 Jul 2019, 16:45

You have to be a complete car crash disaster of a person to fail RM probation. No-one fails.

Acca Dacca · Post by **Acca Dacca** » 04 Jul 2019, 16:45

Its harder to NOT be kept on

Post by **Trail** » 04 Jul 2019, 16:50

Acca Dacca wrote:Its harder to NOT be kept on

THIS^^^^

delboy1969 · Post by **delboy1969** » 04 Jul 2019, 16:52

Trail wrote:You have to be a complete car crash disaster of a person to fail RM probation. No-one fails.

We had a bloke in our office who failed!!! But it is extremely rare to be fair.

Post by **CPTNemoUK** » 04 Jul 2019, 16:52

You probably could take a dump on the doms desk and still be kept on

yubin282 · Post by **yubin282** » 04 Jul 2019, 21:05

if you're incredibly bad you can always move into management

Post by **hothothot** » 04 Jul 2019, 21:25

If you enjoy drinking coffee all day and have an IQ of 13 there's only one job for you. Become a royal mail manager.

Post by **wacko74** » 04 Jul 2019, 21:56

You're doing bloody good if the only day you go over is Weds (or you've got some very cushy duties in your office)

There are usually only 2 days a week I don't go over, even now in the supposed 'light' summer period and with mail volumes supposedly at an all time low (And I've done 18 years)

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 04 Jul 2019, 22:01

I've never known anybody not be kept on. This includes one guy in my office who was off sick for about half of his 6 months on probation.

Post by **fb1969** » 05 Jul 2019, 08:30

We must have had 30+ new starters in the last five years.

Of those there was only one who was so bad he wasn't kept on and, having worked with him for a week, he was really bad. But probably 10 or so have left because of the way they were treated by RM.

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 05 Jul 2019, 08:40

fb1969 wrote:We must have had 30+ new starters in the last five years.

Of those there was only one who was so bad he wasn't kept on and, having worked with him for a week, he was really bad. But probably 10 or so have left because of the way they were treated by RM.

This is true. You're far more likely to jump than be pushed!

Startingover · Post by **Startingover** » 05 Jul 2019, 16:42

I wouldn't worry too much. Everyone is slow when they start, but then they pick up. Good managers also recognise this, as well as the fact that some rounds are easier than others (for example hills / flats / obstacles etc).

However, if you are not in the Union yet, I would recommend that you join, as they will help you in times of need.

Hope things improve.

Decky Boy · Post by **Decky Boy** » 05 Jul 2019, 22:05

The post above this one is good advice. If you turn-up on time every morning, don't take time off sick, and generally go about your day in a positive manner your skills-set will improve and you will become more efficient and quicker.

I'd suggest accuracy is more important than speed over the first few months. Loosing parcels and posting mail through the wrong doors is not good. You will find yourself in the manager's office if this happens on a regular basis. Otherwise my advice to you would be to " stick in " and do your best. Listen to what more senior posties have to say ( most will give good advice... and if you have a good Workplace Coach seek guidance here also ! )

As a new start ideally you should have been on one specific duty for a period of at least 6 weeks as this familiarity allows you to learn better and bed-down the skills required for the job. In your case you appear to have been moved about a lot ?
If you are not overly comfortable at the moment speak with your manager or the WPC and ask if it's possible to be placed on a dedicated duty for a few weeks ?