Exhausted

[Swishy]

I’ve been in the job part time, five days a week four months now and I’m feeling completely exhausted. I come home from work and could just fall asleep. I have a wife and child and initially took the job as it fits in with school hours 9-3 (my wife works longer hours self-employed)

I have been put on so many different rounds and don’t get much time to learn them. Last week was particularly frustrating as I was on three different rounds that I didn’t manage to complete before I had to cut off.

Every week I have a different day off and don’t find out until Friday what the following week will be.

I generally work through my break as whoever I’m on with does too. Very few toilets on the rounds so I’m limiting my fluid intake which probably doesn’t help.

I have a hobby that keeps me active but is also potentially tiring me out more. I don’t want to have to give this up just for work however I’m feeling like I might have to!

I got a week off coming up and hope this will help recharge my batteries as I’ve not had any leave since starting (didn’t even benefit from the bank holidays as they just put those as my days off)

Any advice? Am I just not cut out for the job? I do enjoy it once I’m out there, especially if it’s a round I’ve done a few times.

[nobLe97]

Understand the feeling completely mate. Been here 9 month and now its not hard at all. You still get tired etc but nowhere near as bad as the first few months. In regards to doing different duties you just get used to it. Remember, there is only the first time on every duty then it’s not longer the first time.

[Kenfandango]

It's emotionally draining to be bumped from duty to duty, clearing up unfinished work.
I'm a year in, but if I get a run of unknown duties (where you're still throwing in IPS as everyone else is loading their van and leaving,) I feel really tired but the end of the week. It's not even a physical tiredness as often I'll be walking the same amount, it's that draining feeling that you'll have to cut off, constantly watching the clock so you don't miss the school pick up and knowing that despite the rallying cry of "do your time and go home" there will be other posties looking at you cutting off and seething about it

[wrongturn]

!

[qwerty2]

You should have lieu days owed for bank holidays if they were your days off
Don’t let them rip you off

[Kenfandango]

All good advice, however when you're on a duty you don't know it's very hard to judge what is/isn't a doable workload. I always end up being told to "take it all out and just finish tracked for the last hour," which means more clock watching

[Rekoons]

Hello bro,

I’ve recently left and could have wrote what you did word for word for how I felt, in my experience it didn’t get easier and I found myself slowly giving up hobbies as I was too tired all the time.

My background before RM was in the fitness industry so I’m relatively fit but the working practices at RM, especially for newer starters over the last few years, are disgraceful.

The workload has steadily increased over the years and is too much now, those that have been working at RM for 10+ years have the benefit of their bodies getting slowly used to the increased workload (not to mention having it a lot easier in terms of having own round etc.), whereas new starters don’t have this benefit so it’s hard for the body to take.

Add in the mental stress of not knowing what walk you will be on, when your day off will be, and wanting to do a good job but not having enough hours to do it all without rushing, it all takes it toll on the body.

I knew I was in a bad way but it wasn’t until I left that I realised how bad my physical and mental well-being actually was. I feel much better now and feel like myself again.

On paper it sound a bit mental that being a Postman had this effect on me, but it’s the reality, and I know many others who have started in the last five years who feel the same.

Sorry you feel like this and sorry I can’t give any real advice as I don’t know your family/financial situation or what opportunities are out there for you, but I’d hate for you to struggle for a few more years like I did.

All the best for the future, there’s definitely life outside Royal Mail, and one benefit of working there is that it does look good on a CV.

[Rekoons]

the best thing you can do for yourself is stop what you're doing. I wont be too harsh because you seem a nice person but you have breaks so take them!!! why wouldnt you take it?!

I think you know the answer to that one bud.

A lot of people don’t like conflict, whether that’s towards a van share partner or to a manager.

It’s hard when you’re new to work to rule when hardly anyone else does, and then it becomes a habit that’s hard to break.

[Pidleypoo]

Hello bro,

I’ve recently left and could have wrote what you did word for word for how I felt, in my experience it didn’t get easier and I found myself slowly giving up hobbies as I was too tired all the time.

My background before RM was in the fitness industry so I’m relatively fit but the working practices at RM, especially for newer starters over the last few years, are disgraceful.

The workload has steadily increased over the years and is too much now, those that have been working at RM for 10+ years have the benefit of their bodies getting slowly used to the increased workload (not to mention having it a lot easier in terms of having own round etc.), whereas new starters don’t have this benefit so it’s hard for the body to take.

Add in the mental stress of not knowing what walk you will be on, when your day off will be, and wanting to do a good job but not having enough hours to do it all without rushing, it all takes it toll on the body.

I knew I was in a bad way but it wasn’t until I left that I realised how bad my physical and mental well-being actually was. I feel much better now and feel like myself again.

On paper it sound a bit mental that being a Postman had this effect on me, but it’s the reality, and I know many others who have started in the last five years who feel the same.

Sorry you feel like this and sorry I can’t give any real advice as I don’t know your family/financial situation or what opportunities are out there for you, but I’d hate for you to struggle for a few more years like I did.

All the best for the future, there’s definitely life outside Royal Mail, and one benefit of working there is that it does look good on a CV.

I’ve worked there for those 10 plus years and have pain all over my body.

It does not get easier.

[mjd24]

You should have lieu days owed for bank holidays if they were your days off
Don’t let them rip you off

Or get paid a days overtime for each Bank Holiday week where you worked 5 days.

[mjd24]

If only Simon Thompson would do some Workplace posts on subject like this one … doesnt quite fit his agenda and narrative though.

[mjd24]

Growing up watching Postman Pat, who’d have thought the job would slowly become one of such physical and mental strain that for many its almost impossible to function “normally” outside of work.

[Kenfandango]

Growing up watching Postman Pat, who’d have thought the job would slowly become one of such physical and mental strain that for many its almost impossible to function “normally” outside of work.

Pat these days gets one timed special delivery to do with no additional mail, would that it were

[Foxel]

If you are tired now wait until Christmas. It isn't going to get better sadly.

I've been here (on the books) 9 months. with agency a year and a half. I've worked over 120 different rounds in 7 different depos, and often don't know what I'm doing until I turn up. It is Horrible. The uncertainty of not knowing what you'll be doing and being unable to plan if you can fit in a toilet stop is damaging to your mental health. I series feel your pain, the hottest day of the year and I feel I can't risk having a drink.

The whole seniority set-up is wrong and I'm sure my comments will get people's backs up but it is not only counterproductive but creates a recruitment barrier.
It takes the most experienced staff away from where they would be most valuable. And in some cases leave the laziest member of staff on the easiest round.
Be paid less and do more is the motto. So I can see why people don't stay.

I think people working as a reserve and then to a lesser extent set cover should be paid a little extra, this could incentives senior staff to take up some of these positions and allow new staff to find their feet walking the same beat.

[Shirtbuttons]

You work your meal break?