Final week

[Bigjj]

So this week saw me work my final week for this company. Eight years I've being in this job and like many here would probably agree it was once a lovely job and a definite mixed emotions when it came to leaving. Used to enjoy the varied working pattern and never minded working Saturdays either given they used to not be so bad. On top of that you got outside as your own boss, got to speak to people and got exercise.

But in recent years it has been getting worse and worse and although I wouldn't say I was quite at the stage of hating the job it was getting that way. The signs were there over the years that the job was slowly becoming harder in terms of too much walking with hefty bags, extended delivery expectations and a growing amount of parcels. Sadly when Covid came along last year it just massively accelerated the volume of the work load and my body started to feel the affect of the niggles. A few years ago It felt well paid for a no skills job but not so much these days and it's not as easy a job as it looks now in my opinion.

The way the last day panned out as well just reminded me of the reasons I was leaving to be honest and although I will miss some of the people as there are some awesome people working in the company I will not miss the job at all now. I think the fact that you used to get just a couple of people leave each year usually through retirement or ill health but in the last year around 20% of the office have left and many of these people had many years in the job but still quite a while to go to retirement says a lot about where people are at with the company at the moment. They definitely need to start asking themselves why so many are leaving the company rather than putting so much effort in to recruiting new posties where many leave quickly anyway.

On to a new challenge for me in the new year and although never know if I will enjoy my next adventure it's quite sad to say but I won't miss the old one that's for sure. Just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New year. Only a couple more weeks left to get there guys! You all do fantastic jobs in current circumstances but remember that there is a lot more out there than working for this company! Good luck to all

[postieblueshirt]

Good luck mate I am a bit scared of leaving as I've done it for so long,I even thought about the driver academy thing then I read about how all the new drivers get all the crap shifts so God knows.enjoy Christmas..

[Bigjj]

Good luck mate I am a bit scared of leaving as I've done it for so long,I even thought about the driver academy thing then I read about how all the new drivers get all the crap shifts so God knows.enjoy Christmas..

Thanks! I completely get why people are scared of taking a step in to the unknown and out of their comfort zones. But sometimes in life you just have to take a risk otherwise nothing changes. Wouldn't surprise me if that happens with the shifts but at least you would have a license and something you could use outside of RM. Hope you have a good Christmas also, take care and best of luck.

[CillitBang]

Good on you and good luck!

[Jahpostie]

Good luck, you won't regret it. I didn't.

There are a lot easier ways to earn the buttons Royal Mail pays. It's amazing to actually have the energy to do the things you used to do.

Even if it doesn't work out, something else will and at least it won't be Royal fail.

[aiden01]

Good luck, you won't regret it. I didn't.

There are a lot easier ways to earn the buttons Royal Mail pays. It's amazing to actually have the energy to do the things you used to do.

Even if it doesn't work out, something else will and at least it won't be Royal fail.

Defo wouldnt say we earn buttons.

[Bigjj]

Good luck, you won't regret it. I didn't.

There are a lot easier ways to earn the buttons Royal Mail pays. It's amazing to actually have the energy to do the things you used to do.

Even if it doesn't work out, something else will and at least it won't be Royal fail.

Something I agree on as definitely looking forward to being able to do something that I haven't been able to as a result of excessive use of the body such as playing sports again. Freeing up Saturdays again is also a massive bonus

Touching on what Aiden said as well it might not be a low paying job but it's effectively the best paid for a bad bunch of jobs. There is no potential to go anywhere either really where as a lot of other areas you work in can offer that. Royal Mail pay a wage that basically allows you to live on and be comfortable but never able to do anything exciting on.

[Mick100]

Absolute hate the job now just work my hours,this week I’ve barely delivered a letter just done tracked it’s like in fighting a losing battle

[Chelseablue]

Friends left royal mail his body is not in bits anymore , no more high stress , and more energy to do other things after work . Its the first step in leaving thats the hardest

[fb1969]

I could have written that post myself! The only difference would be that I've done a bit longer, but apart from that it sums my thoughts up too. The biggest killers for me have been the attitude of the company to the workers, and the backing that the union always give them.

Best of luck to you, hoping to get my head in order enough to do the same as soon as I can.

[EdRush]

Congratulations! You've done the hard time and earned your leave. Remember that its all just water under the bridge now, move on, forget about it. Embrace your new lease of life!!

Farewell

[Jahpostie]

Good luck, you won't regret it. I didn't.

There are a lot easier ways to earn the buttons Royal Mail pays. It's amazing to actually have the energy to do the things you used to do.

Even if it doesn't work out, something else will and at least it won't be Royal fail.

Defo wouldnt say we earn buttons.

Part timers earn buttons. I earned 17k in my last year. Tell me now that is not buttons. Even a full timer at around 23k is well below the national average. This well paid for what the job is mantra, is rubbish. You need to add on the 2 hours each day it take to recover when you get home. Essentially that's 10 hours you're not paid for and are broken. I was anyway!

[Shirtbuttons]

Aiden said it doesn’t pay buttons? I strongly disagree. 1 hour ot for £8.08 after tax. You try bringing up a family and getting a mortgage on this wage. You’d be laughed out the bank.

[Jahpostie]

Aiden said it doesn’t pay buttons? I strongly disagree. 1 hour ot for £8.08 after tax. You try bringing up a family and getting a mortgage on this wage. You’d be laughed out the bank.

Exactly.

[Bigjj]

Depending what report you read but average full time salary would be 30-35 k, on that basic and taking a 37.5hour week then the hourly rate would be roughly between £15 and £18 an hour so when you consider RM pays a little over £12 then I guess you could say it is lowly paid. For me it is just a case of RM has the best pay for an entry level job but has zero prospects where as others do. Having said that thought to get to them higher salaries you often need an initial sacrifice in salary and a couple of years of experience but it pays off in the long run.