How hard do we actually work compared to other jobs

[krussel]

I know we all feel we work too hard but ive been doing this job for too long to remember what you have to put in for other employment. What I do know is that I start about 5.50am and once through the door we are all straight on with it. Other than a ten min mid delivery stop to drink a coffee I work on till about 13.30 give or take ten mins. Now to me I think that’s a solid physical days work and I am not trying to compare to other RM duties like for like but more about other lines of work ?

My partner has an office job which she finds mentally tiring and difficult at times but they do all arrive to work and have breakfast toast and cereal at their desks for about 30 mins before they start actual work.

A postie who I work with for years left last year for a school caretakers job and could not believe the change in the pace of work. His fellow caretaker pleaded with him to slow down before they got rid of one of them as he was completing both their work allotments on his own.

I see blokes out in the cold working on the roads and that looks hard work. I have also delivered to sweat shop firms and that looks pretty crap as well.

But on average how do we really compare ?

[DGP1]

We work damn hard I've worked in stores/office/retail jobs and I've never worked as hard, usually in other jobs you have time to have a cup of coffee and chat to fellow workers and you don't have to work at 100% 100% of the time like we do now, I'm afraid that if this job continues like it has in the past 2 years then I'll not be able to do it for much longer (my knee has gone out on me and my sciatica has come back but because I'm on a stage 2 I can't take anymore time off).

Now, managers, that's a different story because there are more of them they do less work than ever (unless you count walking to the coffee machine and back as work), lazy barstools the lot of them and I hope they all get laid off or downsized to postie level

[morleyposty]

i joined recently p/t 20hrs wed-sat

start at 9 wed-fri and 7am start on saturday. the work is all prepped and all i do is bag-up and off i go. im on different rounds most days and it does take time to familiarise with the surroundings etc.
im happy doing this as for full-time staff starting your shifts at 6am means going to bed early and by the time your finished most of you guys will be drained.

for me i get to see my kids in the morning & have breakfast with them(and the missus of course)
i can stay up till 1am if i wanted too.

before i joined i used to work in the automotive industry and the job had its good days and bad and the managers were always on your back trying to force you to increase production.
the pay was lousy to say the least.

im earning more now for doing less hours than i was in full-time employment with previous employer.

im just glad that im in employment when the countries in recession.

mosaddler

[TeeferTiger]

I've worked in retail for many years and this is the easiest job I've ever had.

Less hassle, I don't worry about work when I'm at home, I don't take my work home with me (for obvious reasons!) and paid well compared to what I've been paid before.

When I worked in retail, you had to take your breaks if and when you could, you couldn't get on with most of your work because you were always being interrupted by customers, poorly paid, constantly watched and we were even searched when leaving work on occasions to make sure we weren't pinching, unpaid lunch hour, you have to work your hours (no job and jack), on your feet and walking/lifting/carrying all day etc etc.

I can understand that people say the job has changed and it isn't what it was, however, it's still a bloody good job compared to a lot of other occupations. You go in, get your stuff done and go out. I know things are changing and some have DOMs that need to get a grip but generally, you're left to get your work done.

[banner18]

I've done about five different jobs including this one. Mainly warehouse and mill work. I also worked through agencies doing all kinds of jobs for short periods.
With this job, I would say that it isn't particularly hard to do, but its the stuff we have to put up with. Bad weather, dogs, early starts, moaning customers and really poor management. It's a case of us putting up with the crap in order to do a job which is not too hard, work under your own initiative and the pay is ok.

[krussel]

I agree that the pay is actually quite good for the level of responsibility we have to take. My partner is a qualified paralegal and amazingly I only earn a couple of grand less. I think the discontentment I feel comes from comparing how this job used to be when I started in the late 80’s which is something i have to let go.

However it really does seem that in other lines of work you do benefit from breaks which must split your day up into easier stretches instead of the one long slog you get on delivery. The price of the fast disappearing job and finish culture.

[madelin4]

Its not about how hard we work or how easy the job is?
1 , We work hard
2, The job is not 2 difficult

But the problems are that all through my time at RM i have really enjoyed my job, i am an outdoors person and this is the field i would continue to do. But now if we claim overtime because pegasus nonsence then we are told our prep not up to scratch or this and that or your not going fast enough, talking to much, going to coffee machine, its all this that really annoys me!! Then they go and count your letters to test your prep! Come on!!

And i just see that nowadays they just seem to wanna pick on people who are prepared to stand up to there bully boy tactics, because that is all it is!! they are only do it boys managers who are only there to do as they are told no matter if they think different!

I always remember a DOM saying to me, if you do your job you will never hear from me!! I have always done my job well and im proud to say so, but nowadays it just seems that no matter what we do they wanna find fault!
I just think its a ways and means to cut numbers by staff who walk out because they are not able to stand up to this bullying!

Well i have stood up and will continue to stand. So lets all take a stand

[Darren Bent]

I worked in supermarket on shop floor, tills, kitchen in department store and web designers for 2 companies and I work lot harder as postman than other job. It can be easy job but it is hard job to do for 48 hours a week.

[Edward Hunter]

I`ve done deliveries for over 20 years, and physically it can take its toll, especially now the walks are over 3hours long (and rising) Not great as one gets older! All around me people of my age at my place are complaining about injuries they are carrying, a few doubt they will be able to hack it much longer.
I think overall we have an easier time than most places of work. The banter and laughs we have set RM apart from most places of work and of course if you do the job properly you have no stress to take home.

[axeman]

Can tell you without reservation that a posties (delivery) job is tiring, stressful (putting up with arsehol* managers) other jobs even within royal fail are far less stressful. and jobs in industries outside of royal fail are a breeze and yes i do know ! for those that will disagree as for renumeration jobs that i'd be intrested in pay far more than royal fail thats for sure it just maybe i'm ready and it's time to go ???

[opgpat]

Difficult question to answer as the same job is different to different people and how 'hard' u work is related to how much u enjoy a job I'd say.

But you can say physically it must be the most damaging daytoday job you can do. Couldn't count the number of guys with permanent limps or bad backs in our office. Mentally it can be very stressful just for the fact that you are isolated out on your rounds so can't de-stress with a chat or shared joke with workmates. I used to work in a much more stressfull job but the difference was you could have a chat with collegues after an incident and so the stress was diffused.

Anyway what we CAN be sure about is this - if u think u are working hard now, you aint seen nothing yet.
:lfo :cfo

[Lounge Lizard]

Difficult question to answer as the same job is different to different people and how 'hard' u work is related to how much u enjoy a job I'd say.

But you can say physically it must be the most damaging daytoday job you can do. Couldn't count the number of guys with permanent limps or bad backs in our office. Mentally it can be very stressful just for the fact that you are isolated out on your rounds so can't de-stress with a chat or shared joke with workmates. I used to work in a much more stressfull job but the difference was you could have a chat with collegues after an incident and so the stress was diffused.

Anyway what we CAN be sure about is this - if u think u are working hard now, you aint seen nothing yet.
:lfo :cfo

I don't find "isolated out on your rounds" to be stressful. I also enjoy a "chat or shared joke with workmates" while sorting beforehand, but that wasn't the case in a previous job where 'the shower of bastards' who were my 'colleagues' and managers presecuted me to the extent that I had over a year off with stress and depression never to return. I should have joined Royal Mail many years earlier.

[redman]

I am one of those lazy managers, as disgruntled call us. I work around 10 hours a day, every day. I am in before all of the staff and still here when most go home.

As for the job being hard, yes it is physically hard walking the streets with heavy bags of mail but it doesn't compare to being on a production line for eight hours a day with a 30 minute break. The money used to be poor at RM but jobs in factories pay a hell of a lot less. I would be prepared to take a delivery job rather than go back to a factory as I used to. I admit delivery work is far harder than it was when I started 23 years ago but once out of the door you are your own man/woman with nobody over your shoulder.

[axeman]

See other thread about being followed whilst out on delivery !!!................ think you might find some in disagreement over your statement

[opgpat]

I am one of those lazy managers, as disgruntled call us. I work around 10 hours a day, every day. I am in before all of the staff and still here when most go home.

Not all rm managers are lazy, just the majority then? As for 10hr days, boo hoo THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE PAID FOR!! With those hours tell us how much you are on 'per hour' please. And how much will YOUR pension be?

Oh yeah and how much in bonuses did you get last year?