My experience after one month in the job.

[Ian2726]

I applied for a job 15 miles away from my home. Went to the interview and passed. Really nice guy who did the interview too really relaxed and friendly. I received a phone call from the guy who interviewed me saying "you passed interview no worries, however looking at your home address there is a job only 5 miles from you. To save you the fuel cost and commuting time coming here I will pass your details to the closer office. They will be in touch."

I left it a week and heard nothing. So I emailed RM HR they told me they would get in touch with the closer office's DOM and get back to me.
Nothing for a week so emailed again and went to the Delivery office. Manager was in a meeting. I left my mobile number for them to call me... nothing ever came of it.

I applied for 2 further jobs as I was now on the waiting list and wouldn't need to interview again.
For both jobs I got an email saying "sorry we didn't mean to post them jobs as they don't really exist"
So I applied for one 20 miles from home as I was coming to the end of my gardening leave of my old job.
I got that one and had emails about start date paperwork to fill in etc.

Day 1: Did the day of online training. The people app was all set up and I already had a pay statement on there for my first 3 days.

Day 2: On my first day in the office I got a text from one of the managers asking me what time I was told to be in. I told him then turned up at the time stated in the email. When I turned up at 10 (the time stated in the email) the Work Place Coach was obviously out on his round. I was given a lift to where he was.
For the rest of the day I followed him around like a dog. We chatted and he seemed like a decent bloke. He asked what round I was going to be put on and what days I was working etc. the job description was Wednesday - Sunday 1000-1500 however the contract said "whatever the manager tells to work" He told me where to park and not get a ticket as nearest street was a 5 min walk and paying would be 5 quid plus a day. We returned to the Delivery Office and I spoke to the Manager there who asked if I could start at 9 in the future. I said it wasn't a problem.

Day 3 and 4 : The frame was done. Followed a guy on the route I would be taking over which would be me on my own doing a walk of about 11 miles with the trolley. Found out there is no toilet stop on the round so try not to drink too much. I asked about how we "clocked in" I was told you don't, Just write your overtime on the piece of A4 at the back of the office the next day of what overtime you did the day before. Oh and I need to buy my own lock for the trolley!

Day 5: Sunday parcel delivery. I wasn't in as I hadn't had the van assessment.

Day 6: Frame was done for me. Did the round on my own started at 0900 and got back at 1700. Missed out one street.

Day 7: Did the round 0900 and back at 1600. Missed one street. Had more than one person say to me "just do your time (5hrs) and come back". If I did that I would miss off 1/3 of the houses.

Day 8: The frame wasn't finished so I left the Delivery office an hour later than usual. 0900 to 1600 today.

Day 9: A guy came and showed me a better way of doing the round rather than the way the frame had it set out which involved tying up the trolley more and taking more in the bag. 0900 got back 1500
Asked my manager about uniform gave sizes in. Told manager of leave I had pre booked before starting the job they asked for dates and I gave them to them. They were on People App within a day.


Other Days: I found out by accident that I should be getting a Sunday Supplement. This wasn't ever mentioned to me. I asked my manager who said tell the woman who does pay. I went to speak to her the next day and she had it all sorted. Done 3 Sundays in the van and still have had no assessment. No union rep has come to see if I wanted to join. No health and safety brief on the office: Fire escapes assembly points etc. Been working a month and still no uniform except a jacket that is too big for me and gets really hot on the round when the sun is out.

my usual now is come for around 0850 Wed-Fri (Sat 0830, Sun 0800) and get out by 0935-0945 once I have done the bundles and packets. Get back around 1520 with no break so I add that onto the overtime. Coming in to see the frame not done is a right kick in the knackers for me.

Sunday I will do my 5 hrs probably deliver around 20-25 parcels it has been chilled so far, but Mothers Day is coming.


Thoughts: I am enjoying the job although the legs and feet aren't quite used to it yet. I was impressed with pay and leave on People app being actioned quickly. Uniform thing is annoying. The training wasn't really up to par as far as checking other slots for the mail, redirects, killing letters, PDA training, etc. etc.

I have been lucky so far that only had a couple of bad weather days and not had a day where I can't fit all the letters and packets in the trolley.



overall 3.5/5 stars would recommend.

[mjd24]

20-25 parcels in 5 hours?!!

[mjd24]

Shocked that youre recommending it after reading your post. None of the negative stuff surprised me though, all very typical Royal Mail.

[Ian2726]

20-25 parcels in 5 hours?!!

Sunday's seem to be pretty dead at the moment. I've been told it'll get much busier

[Ian2726]

Shocked that youre recommending it after reading your post. None of the negative stuff surprised me though, all very typical Royal Mail.

The job in itself is good. Walk about and post stuff. Not physically or mentally demanding. Ideal for me at the moment

[mjd24]

Shocked that youre recommending it after reading your post. None of the negative stuff surprised me though, all very typical Royal Mail.

The job in itself is good. Walk about and post stuff. Not physically or mentally demanding. Ideal for me at the moment

Not physically demanding? give it a few years and you might have a different opinion.

[blacov]

20-25 parcels in 5 hours?!!

Sunday's seem to be pretty dead at the moment. I've been told it'll get much busier

I'd love to get 5h sunday s/a for doing 25parcels If lucky I'd be home in 2hours time.

[hawkeye622]

Did you read your post before posting it???

Would recommend

[Acca Dacca]

Tell your manager if he wants you to start at 9 to get your contract changed

[Ian2726]

Shocked that youre recommending it after reading your post. None of the negative stuff surprised me though, all very typical Royal Mail.

The job in itself is good. Walk about and post stuff. Not physically or mentally demanding. Ideal for me at the moment

Not physically demanding? give it a few years and you might have a different opinion.

I'm 40 odd and just finished 22 years in the Army. This is a paper round for adults with a few more bells and whistles and better pay.

[Ian2726]

Tell your manager if he wants you to start at 9 to get your contract changed

My contract doesn't mention start or finish time. Just 5hrs a day Wednesday to Sunday. Job description had 1000-1500.

[bustedflush]

Tell your manager if he wants you to start at 9 to get your contract changed

What contract? He'll be lucky to see one, especially one that actually reflects what he does.

[Ian2726]

20-25 parcels in 5 hours?!!

Sunday's seem to be pretty dead at the moment. I've been told it'll get much busier

I'd love to get 5h sunday s/a for doing 25parcels If lucky I'd be home in 2hours time.

They're not 25 near each other. It's been 10-15 that take about 2.5 then get back pick up more that have been delivered to delivery office while I've been out get another lot do them and finish.

[blacov]

20-25 parcels in 5 hours?!!

Sunday's seem to be pretty dead at the moment. I've been told it'll get much busier

I'd love to get 5h sunday s/a for doing 25parcels If lucky I'd be home in 2hours time.

They're not 25 near each other. It's been 10-15 that take about 2.5 then get back pick up more that have been delivered to delivery office while I've been out get another lot do them and finish.

How big of an area do you cover? If 10-15 parcels take around 2.5h?

[SpacePhoenix]

How big of an area do you cover? If 10-15 parcels take around 2.5h?

LAT office perhaps?