6 months at Royal Mail....

[MurphyD]

I posted on here at the beginning of September for a few ideas when I started and plenty got back to me with good tips for my 1st days as a Postie.... so cheers everyone.
I'm now 6 months into my Royal Mail career and I'm losing faith in the job already. Now, I like to think I'm hard working and have an open mind to most things, so when I'd done around 6-8 weeks of learning my 1st walk and was then taken off to basically become a reserve and cover walks when people are off, I just went along with it and tried my best.
I got shin splints in early December, so was put on parcels/packets for most of Xmas, but now I'm fine the days, weeks and months have been rubbish. It's not remotely the job I thought it would be. I can count on one hand the amount of days I've had a van/walk to myself to just get on with. I am always swapping walks and sharing vans with different posties and more often than not, if there are failed walks or double Mail from the day before, you can guarantee I'm usually put forward for it.
All of the old timers and moaners get away with not sharing vans (some claim they're high risk from covid, but spend most of their time in the pub at the weekend and don't give a fu**) and it's the same shi* put on the same new(er) posties.
Suffice to say, I've lost faith in the job I thought it was and I've been approached to go back to my old job on better money and hours and the chances are I'll be leaving already.
I'm a bit gutted tbh, because I always fancied this job and getting my own walk eventually was something I was looking forward to... I just think management are scared of upsetting certain faces and favourites in the depot and as a result they're losing good potential posties for the future bt putting on them constantly. I'd be the 3rd of 5 that have left in 6 months.
Sorry about the rant.... just wondered if anyone else has experienced similar or can suggest anything. Cheers.

[fb1969]

Sorry about the rant.... just wondered if anyone else has experienced similar or can suggest anything. Cheers.

Take your old job back while the offer is there, Royal Mail is heading downhill at full speed - things will only get worse.

Your story isn't much different to what lots of others experience. We have a very long serving postie who spends the morning time handing Tracked packets to his mate for scanning in. His duty is the easiest in the office, he runs round it - no one on his delivery knows his name because he never stops to chat. Yesterday with 9 duties not going out, he was spotted sitting in his van, 90 minutes before finish time, reading a book. Needless to say he is the first to criticise anyone for cutting-off and the least patient with any newbie (or anyone else) who is struggling. Managers are fully aware of his activities but view him as untouchable, especially when it is easier to pressure a newbie into taking extra.

I've put up with 9 years of it and have just about reached the point of chucking it in. So I say best of luck to you.

[Cucumber]

Take your old job back, seriously.

There is a culture in most offices, hugely amplified over the past few years, of people shirking their share of the workload and happily passing it onto others by constantly wearing down management to the point they won't challenge it.
It's driving not just the new people out of the job.

[Jack1960]

Try and stick with it, autumn is always a rough time to start workload wise and the short days . Always be wary about how others may finish earlier than others, we have a reserve van driver who's finishes a hour or two before the regular duty holders as he is the most organised postman I've ever seen.
The job is having to change to meet the demands of the online shopping, some are finding it tougher than others and aren't up to the challenge. For others it's an opportunity to get good earnings with overtime and now Sunday working .
Give it a go over the spring and summer, it's still a good job despite the doom merchants that pop up on this site.
If all fails you get a job on the Mount Pleasent Bulletin

[Jahpostie]

The job is ruined. Take that job and don't look back. It's far better on the other side.

[redneck]

It's still a better job than most, even though we're under more pressure and the way you are treated at times is a disgrace. No nights, afternoons. Weekly pay. Loads of time off. Tons of overtime if you want it (although you can get overlooked). I'm 13 years in and now work on my own, partly because few will work with me as I always take my breaks, therein lies part of the problem with your fellow workers.

[dan3mitch]

jump and jump quick while you have the oppertunity, i did 7 months and that was a push, i was disapointed like you thinking it should have been a much better job and company but its a disaster of a place, with a union that may as well not be there for all the good they do, i then went on to another job and am very happy and when i looked back at royal mail, god what a mess a total shipwreck of a company sinking fast, go while you can and have the oppertunity i cant stress that enough. good luck for the future

[Foxel]

Absolutely understand where you are coming from. Though I do get sent out on my own every now and then as some of the managers know I'll do more than my partner without putting up a fight.

The idea of being ranked on time-in-the-job, over work ethics and performance is ludicrous. A new starter is expected to work a different duty every day, a new person every day, while arguable the most experienced member of staff walks around the easiest round at a snail's pace. It takes everything so much more stressful. I have done over 100 different rounds in a year and worked at 7 different Delivery Offies.

Cover and reserve should get paid an extra pound or two and hour, or a weekly premium. You'd soon seen longer service staff taking up the duties.

[Haditup]

Your previous employer has offered your job back with a pay rise which indicates your worth and value.

You will never get that with Royal Mail ,you’re are just a number which can easily be replaced.
The life style of the job is changing fast with Sundays on the horizon and evening finishing times too.
I’ve witnesses Little adherence to Health and Safety throughout delivery office, lack of PPE ,no ventilation etc…..
They could not give a xxit.

The job just makes you grumpy as you get older.

[David walters]

I would say go back to your old job.I worked for Royal for 26 years but have retired now .the more you do the more they put on you .mangers dont pick on the loud mouthey one they are to much trouble they pick on the quiet one who just get on with they work easy targets

[panzer4]

Your previous employer has offered your job back with a pay rise which indicates your worth and value.

You will never get that with Royal Mail ,you’re are just a number which can easily be replaced.
The life style of the job is changing fast with Sundays on the horizon and evening finishing times too.
I’ve witnesses Little adherence to Health and Safety throughout delivery office, lack of PPE ,no ventilation etc…..
They could not give a xxit.

The job just makes you grumpy as you get older.

Obviously your previous employer values you don’t hesitate to accept the offer Royal Mail management doesn’t give a toss about you, you are just a number to them
Good luck for the future

[Jack1960]

Absolutely understand where you are coming from. Though I do get sent out on my own every now and then as some of the managers know I'll do more than my partner without putting up a fight.

The idea of being ranked on time-in-the-job, over work ethics and performance is ludicrous. A new starter is expected to work a different duty every day, a new person every day, while arguable the most experienced member of staff walks around the easiest round at a snail's pace. It takes everything so much more stressful. I have done over 100 different rounds in a year and worked at 7 different Delivery Offies.

Cover and reserve should get paid an extra pound or two and hour, or a weekly premium. You'd soon seen longer service staff taking up the duties.

New starters should be on the same walk for at least 6 weeks , the rep should be ensuring that's the case .
Let's be honest most people I know in royal mail are positive about the job and the doom merchants on here are usually the glass half empty people.
I still think you should give it ago and ignore the bitter posters on here .

[max49]

Welcome to the real life at Royal Mail, it is every man for himself now and the managers will always flog the willing donkey. However, remember it will be your fault if something goes wrong, there will be no support from the management. Seriously consider taking the offer of your old job back, you are obviously well thought of there. Don't think of yourself as a failure as a postie, it is not the job they sell you at the interview, remember the majority of the managers couldn't be a postie day in day out. Good luck

[twoloops]

I tell all new starters f you have the chance to get out quick, this jobs down the pan & it will get even worse.

[Jack1960]

I tell all new starters f you have the chance to get out quick, this jobs down the pan & it will get even worse.

Who are you to tell them? Probably another bitter disgruntled hate the job but probably unemployable anywhere else type , you sound like a right laugh