Fitness and application process

randomguy · Post by **randomguy** » 08 Aug 2016, 18:37

Hi :)
What level of fitness is required for a postman 'with driving' and how much walking is expected? I do like to get out for a walk often 1hr + per day but I assume doing a round even with driving would be potentially a lot more than that? I'm 33 a bit over weight but otherwise healthy and one of the reasons the job appeals is getting out exercise in the outdoors.

On that note can any posties tell me how much team work or customer interaction is involved because I am assuming it is mainly working on your own and just getting people to sign for letters, etc?

I'm probably getting ahead of myself because I applied and did the online tests but I haven't heard anything yet and to be fair I don't have much experience in delivery or customer facing roles. How long does the application process normally take?

cheers.

SpongeBobPants · Post by **SpongeBobPants** » 08 Aug 2016, 19:03

Overweight myself and started six weeks ago. I walked about the same as you and apart from sore feet sometimes I'm finding it not that hard going. Enjoying it infact. No one expects you to be able to go as fast as experienced posties at first so you'll pick up speed as your fitness improves. I've lost a fair bit of weight since I started too.

Mostly on your own but team work too. I work in a pair but we do our own sections.

SpongeBobPants · Post by **SpongeBobPants** » 08 Aug 2016, 19:04

Oh and application process took forever. Three months from applying to starting for me.

randomguy · Post by **randomguy** » 08 Aug 2016, 19:10

SpongeBobPants wrote:Oh and application process took forever. Three months from applying to starting for me.

That is a long time. Still I'm optimistic as I would have thought if I failed the online tests it would be an instant rejection, so I hope I might at least get an interview.

What I can't figure out is the money seems quite good for the skill level involved (compared to retail work) Is that because of the physical nature of it?

Sore feet is a hazard I guess and wearing through a lot of shoes really quickly.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 09 Aug 2016, 15:21

randomguy wrote:
SpongeBobPants wrote:
What I can't figure out is the money seems quite good for the skill level involved (compared to retail work) Is that because of the physical nature of it?

Better and stronger Union, the CWU is quite integrated within Royal Mail, some say too far, but it has meant a decent wage over the last 20 years or so. It was poor before that. Another factor might be retention as turnover among new staff is fairly high given the skill level required.

randomguy · Post by **randomguy** » 12 Aug 2016, 16:31

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
randomguy wrote:
SpongeBobPants wrote:
What I can't figure out is the money seems quite good for the skill level involved (compared to retail work) Is that because of the physical nature of it?

Better and stronger Union, the CWU is quite integrated within Royal Mail, some say too far, but it has meant a decent wage over the last 20 years or so. It was poor before that. Another factor might be retention as turnover among new staff is fairly high given the skill level required.

So I assume it is worth joining the union if hired then...

Disappointing how long it takes to get any update via the jobs website candidate profile thingy.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 12 Aug 2016, 17:35

randomguy wrote: So I assume it is worth joining the union if hired then...

Oh yes - at least on a local basis it's a kind of representation insurance for when the boss just wants a chat.

Nationally, the more people in the Union as a percentage of staff, the better bargaining position in pay and agreements the CWU has.

randomguy · Post by **randomguy** » 10 Sep 2016, 15:47

Over a month since applying now and I'm still waiting for a rejection or interview offer.