What made you join the Royal Mail?

[NWpostie]

I do get nostalgic about the 80s and 90s when the job was great and the work easy enough, I remember shortly after I started, we have the DRAS (Difficult to Recruit Area Supplement) dispute as Royal Mail was paying supplements to post staff in London and South East where they found it hard to retain staff as there were better paid jobs on offer, this was the 80s when the economy boomed and other companies needed staff, the rest of the UK wasn't happy about it and had a strike which evolved into other to other greviences, it was the first time posties had a strike since 1971, it made big news. I particularly remembered Lorraine Kelly as young news reporter

32 years later I'm still in and just marking time til retirement.

I'm amazed the thread is still ongoing, since I last commented, the job has changed considerably, people havent, job for life has gone now tho, which was the main draw when I joined up, especially during turbulent financial crash that inevitably followed the 80s boom years.

[capricorn64]

Having left coming up for four years ago I can only tell you what I miss The banter,Early finishes,Six weeks paid holiday,Overtime and being out in the fresh air without someone or cameras watching my every move!!!

[Expostie]

A mate I worked with in a bar/café got a job in a mails centre. Told me how cushy it was and the overtime so I applied. Didn’t realise I applied for delivery and started at 05:00 6 days a week.

[eddieneedham]

My dad worked for royalmail for 25 years got me the job at 16, ,i was due to join the army but I promised my dad if I got the job at royalmail I would not go in the army. He told me keep your hands to yourself and you will have a job for life . I am still working for royalmail after 45 years .

[nuklearpuppy]

Left school as early leaver at 15. My parents said we don’t mind as long as you get a job. Few months later when I turned 16 I started as a Christmas casual in a mail centre then was sent out on delivery. Few days out in the snow delivering a bag of mail. Bit of a rabbit in the headlights at first but enjoyed being out on the street and the freedom. Then I reapplied for postman and got the job. 6 day week (part time) then I was offered full time and went to 5 days. Used to be a great job when it was job and finish. Then park & loop came in and completely ruined it. Covid days made me realise the job is done for! I done 23 years and now work in maintenance. I feel for the existing workers out there having to deal with the poor management issues and the chaos of parcels and unachievable workloads . I’ll always miss the banter. My new job is far less strenuous and I’m lucky to get two bonuses a year on top of a half decent salary. To anyone thinking of getting out but worried, life is better and there is more to life than Royal Mail! All the best .