What job have you left Royal Mail for?

[Tman]

Why do so many aspire to go into IT when they could do something like a plumbing or electrics course and earn proper money while there's a skills shortage?
Is it because that type of course is viewed as being "too hard" to learn and pass?

[nightcrawler]

Great idea for a thread!
I’m nearly 51, done 30+ years in RM, and have wanted to leave for some time now. I’m fed-up with the workloads, how RM don’t give a s**t about you, the daily politics, back-stabbing, and just generally a toxic environment. I don’t know what to do next though. Keep thinking about something in retail, but several other posties I’ve spoken to (mostly young ones) tell me NO, retail is terrible. A job with the local council is a possibility I’m considering. I don’t even mind taking a pay-cut or even going part-time, as long as it’s something that doesn’t wreck my mental health like this job has. Like others have said, I thought this was a “job for life”, but realise now that’s no longer the case.

[j1mmyc]

Got lucky getting on the royal mail hgv course which I was about to pay for out my own money, been at rm for 18 years, have to do 2 years of mgv driving then might leave if its shocking hours, but also gonna do my class 1 in the next 6months, anyone that can get out get out this ship is sinking, I have had some nice easy money out of the job for the first 10years and been able to forge a half decent life of the back of it but now it's to much hard work

[Canyouclosethegate]

Why do so many aspire to go into IT when they could do something like a plumbing or electrics course and earn proper money while there's a skills shortage?
Is it because that type of course is viewed as being "too hard" to learn and pass?

As someone trying to go into IT, I've chosen this particular path because I feel I will always been stable and I can move around from company to company, most of them have similar set ups in terms of computer security and it's for this reason I could choose to work for either a supermarket, the NHS or even the government. Anybody familiar with these set ups can have an easier time going from one company to the next. You really could work for a school, a doctor's surgery, a taxi company, a restaurant - literally anyone who has a set up of computers with personal data and needs that data to be secure. Of course, their set ups are not identical but have similar foundations.

I remember 10 years ago some of my family went into IT and honestly, it isn't one of those fads that will blow over and eventually there'll be too many staff for jobs.

Maybe in the future but right now, the market is booming. Newcomers, old-timers, experienced vets etc. There is a job for most people with some degree of experience in IT. The only thing that differs are the pay and, by extension, the responsibilities.

I have considered industries like plumbing or electrician work but for one, I'm not that good with my hands. I struggle with certain aspects of this work - I was forced to learn it through my childhood but I'm considered average. Computers for me have always clicked and I just grasp the material a bit easier than I do math, science, plumbing, woodworking etc. Obviously there are maths involved in computers but I feel that's easier to tackle.

I'm nowhere near where I want to be, I left RM only last October and now I'm a bus driver. And next year, I do hope I'm in an IT role but that's dependent on me obtaining my certifications and passing the exams I need to.

[Dorset Plodder]

I'm nowhere near where I want to be, I left RM only last October and now I'm a bus driver. And next year, I do hope I'm in an IT role but that's dependent on me obtaining my certifications and passing the exams I need to.

Good luck with your future career. Just remember most IT problems can be solved by: Switch Off... Switch On Again...... Works evertime with my PDA (just means I have to sit there for 5 mins while it does it .... Time Wasting? Balls in your court RM.

[Mick100]

A lot of unskilled jobs out there moneys not quite as good,but the toll this job takes on you body and mental health taking a small pay cut would be worth it.many long timers at our place have gone in the past few years and many more are going this year, not down to retirement they've just had enough a lot take the 55 pension and get part time job

[nightcrawler]

Anyone here ever worked/knows someone who works as a hospital porter? This is one option out of several I’m considering if I leave (increasingly likely) Royal Mail. Is the job stressful? I know the pay is not as good as a Postie, but am willing to take a pay cut for my mental health.

[WASD]

Whilst we have the issue of cost of living right now making job changes a lot of commitment, now is a great time to make the move still. There's a shortage of workers in many jobs, and with many being scared of changing right now, those who are willing to take the gamble will possibly come out on top.

As mentioned, getting some trades skills is the best thing anyone can do right now imo

[iHateD2Ds]

Anyone here ever worked/knows someone who works as a hospital porter? This is one option out of several I’m considering if I leave (increasingly likely) Royal Mail. Is the job stressful? I know the pay is not as good as a Postie, but am willing to take a pay cut for my mental health.

I know people who work as a NHS porter and domestics, Weekend pay is quite generous x1.5 for Saturday and double time Sunday with plenty of overtime available.
Bad points,Covid is rife.

[aiden01]

Anyone here ever worked/knows someone who works as a hospital porter? This is one option out of several I’m considering if I leave (increasingly likely) Royal Mail. Is the job stressful? I know the pay is not as good as a Postie, but am willing to take a pay cut for my mental health.

I know people who work as a NHS porter and domestics, Weekend pay is quite generous x1.5 for Saturday and double time Sunday with plenty of overtime available.
Bad points,Covid is rife.

Avoid then.

[Zicomurphy]

There are certainly options out there for people who want a change. I’ve heard BA advertising on the radio for baggage handlers recently so checked out their recruitment website. £1000 signing on bonus and a salary of £25500 per annum and a range of other benefits including access to discounted tickets on BA flights. Based on what they require ex postman might be quite appealing to them as well (physically fit, able to work in all weathers, able to work as an individual or part of a team) The only real downside I could see was the shifts cover 24 hours a day 365 days a year and not everyone can be that flexible.

[yellowbelly]

There are certainly options out there for people who want a change. I’ve heard BA advertising on the radio for baggage handlers ......

There are in certain areas. As we cover the whole of the UK there are a lot of areas where posties live
and work in the middle of nowhere and there are literally no other reasonably paid jobs available locally unless you want
seasonal work in the fields. Baggage handling - I'd certainly jump at it but Heathrow is not on my doorstep LOL!

[Exrep]

27 years in me my advice take ill health retirement and run far far away from RM and dont look back

[nightcrawler]

27 years in me my advice take ill health retirement and run far far away from RM and dont look back

Take “ill health retirement” but on what grounds? Believe me I’d love to go.

[wacko74]

Anyone here ever worked/knows someone who works as a hospital porter? This is one option out of several I’m considering if I leave (increasingly likely) Royal Mail. Is the job stressful? I know the pay is not as good as a Postie, but am willing to take a pay cut for my mental health.

I know people who work as a NHS porter and domestics, Weekend pay is quite generous x1.5 for Saturday and double time Sunday with plenty of overtime available.
Bad points,Covid is rife.

Avoid then.

Why avoid?