Dedicated Onboarder Issues

[Woody84]

Hopefully someone can help.

I’m supposed to be doing the online induction day on Monday (25/11/24) and I’ve emailed the onboarder a couple of questions but received an automated reply saying they are no longer a part of that team…

There was a different email in the reply but as you can imagine I’m getting slightly concerned this will affect me getting the details needed to get onto the online induction on Monday.

Is there a number I can call to try and get to the bottom of this?

[richardkhill]

This was my onboarder:

[Woody84]

Cheers Richard.

I think I’ve managed to sort it by contacting the recruiter that sent through the job offer initially.

[Woody84]

Another email this morning (I’m supposed to start Monday) stating that the dbs checks haven’t been completed and I’ll be on “supervised duties for a maximum period of 28 days” and once the checks are complete if they are not satisfactory to Royal Mail my employment will be terminated.

I have no criminal record so I’m only guessing this is on Royal Mail dragging their feet? But I’m already feeling quite despondent with the whole process to be honest. As with most new starters I’m apprehensive and all this is making me feel very frustrated.

I’ve also applied for a trainee bus driver role and have an interview penned in for a couple of weeks time and that is looking much more of a possibility to me each day because of the way the recruitment process with Royal Mail has been.

[fb1969]

I joined in 2012. The only person I spoke to from application to starting was at the interview, there was no contact number available - and you could only call the HR number by inputting your staff number (which obviously I didn't have). The process back then included having to email a photo for my ID card which I did, but it was never actioned and I had to send another to a manager after I had started. I also had to email my bank details, which was something that I would never normally do.

Or put another way, its been like that or similar for a very long time. You are "just a number", so its good that you are keeping your options open.

[Woody84]

I joined in 2012. The only person I spoke to from application to starting was at the interview, there was no contact number available - and you could only call the HR number by inputting your staff number (which obviously I didn't have). The process back then included having to email a photo for my ID card which I did, but it was never actioned and I had to send another to a manager after I had started. I also had to email my bank details, which was something that I would never normally do.

Or put another way, its been like that or similar for a very long time. You are "just a number", so its good that you are keeping your options open.

Sounds like things have always been a bit arse backwards then lol.

I had an issue with my photo ID too, I sent it as soon as their HR team asked for it but then later found out they actually gave me the wrong email address so had to send again. I’ve since been told there was rush because there is a huge backlog anyway.

I was hoping this would be the career that would see me through to retirement (outdoors, being part of the local community etc) but I guess I was a little naive. I’m still looking forward to starting but this process doesn’t fill me with hope that it’s going to be long term sadly. I’m really trying to keep an open mind.

Obviously I guess once this part is done then I won’t have much to do with this side of things. But they don’t half make things awkward and it’s left me feeling frustrated.

[ted_e_bear]

It's really difficult not to sound negative but it doesn't end there they make practically everything awkward even the simplest task or request is usually too much trouble for the average delivery office manager.

[fb1969]

To follow up about not being negative.

Woody84, are you aware of the way that you book leave with RM? Unless it has massively changed (am happy to be corrected) by the time you start, most of the leave for Apr 25 to Mar 26 will have been booked. If you can prove that you have booked something for certain dates, it is most likely you will only be able to book the dates that no one else wants. And you can pretty much forget getting a random day off, unless it happens to be your allocated 'rest day' that week. That could depend on the size of the DO you are joining.

I joined at 47 and left after nearly 10 years, there is/was no way that my body could have taken me through to retirement!

[ted_e_bear]

To follow up about not being negative.

Woody84, are you aware of the way that you book leave with RM? Unless it has massively changed (am happy to be corrected) by the time you start, most of the leave for Apr 25 to Mar 26 will have been booked. If you can prove that you have booked something for certain dates, it is most likely you will only be able to book the dates that no one else wants. And you can pretty much forget getting a random day off, unless it happens to be your allocated 'rest day' that week. That could depend on the size of the DO you are joining.

I joined at 47 and left after nearly 10 years, there is/was no way that my body could have taken me through to retirement!

I'll add a bit more to that, just an example here but the simplest thing, when I started I asked for a red pouch bag you know the one you carry mail in, foolishly I thought that was an easy question they'll have loads but no I had to 'find' one from under someone's frame when no one was looking. Can I have a day off holiday? The answer is no before you've even said when it is, the list is practically endless.

[fb1969]

Very spooky ted_e_bear, I've just noticed we joined this forum within a few days of each other! Possible that we joined RM around then too

I'd forgotten about all the obstacles that RM and fellow posties put in the way of you being able to do the job! As you say, something as basic as not having any pouches. Then move on to your allocated van being blocked in by several others (and possibly a colleague/manager's car), and having a fuel tank only containing fumes. And being given a PDA that hadn't been put in the charger correctly so it starts the day with 40% battery.

[Woody84]

I definitely think the more negatives I hear the better… that way even if it’s only slightly better than the worst of it, it will feel like a win lol.

I revived my pay number at 4:45pm which means I can now get into the online induction on Monday. At least I can now relax for the weekend until the madness starts next week

[Woody84]

As for holidays- I didn’t have any booked when I was interviewed, but I’ve since turned 40 and the wife had booked me a few surprise weekends away for next year.

Sounds like that should be fun bringing that up on my first day!

[fb1969]

Being divorced I never had that problem

I'd definitely get the dates in as soon as you can. If you end up as a 'reserve' you will probably be moved from round to round each week, so it may be possible for them to roster you on a duty with rest day as the day off you need. With RM the rest day "belongs" to the round/duty rather than the person. If you need a specific day off that RM can't give you, you may be able to find someone to swap the rest day with.

[Woody84]

Being divorced I never had that problem

I'd definitely get the dates in as soon as you can. If you end up as a 'reserve' you will probably be moved from round to round each week, so it may be possible for them to roster you on a duty with rest day as the day off you need. With RM the rest day "belongs" to the round/duty rather than the person. If you need a specific day off that RM can't give you, you may be able to find someone to swap the rest day with.

Thanks FB

[Jonathan Alsatian]

I'm glad its not just me who is having problems with the so-called dedicated onboarder. Mine had my driving licence details for a month before deciding I can't drive for RM because my middle name is not on my licence and until its corrected my start date will have to ve postponed. The licence is valid, I've driven using it when I was employed by RM via the agency and its never been an issue with any other employer. He's so dedicated he never responds to emails. They messed something else up earlier on in the process which was only sorted out when I went over their heads and emailed the DOM directly.

RM are outsourcing the recruitment process and its absolutely dreadful. They say please contact us if you have any questions but then they ignore emails and don't provide a contact number. I could go on but you get the picture, its woeful.