How hard do we actually work compared to other jobs

[scotchy1962]

The mix of mail has changed massively since this thread was first started back in 2009. A lot less SDs and letters and flats and way more packets now, compared with back then. Can't remember what year Tracked was introduced, but I think it was after 2009.
[/quote
I think it was 2008 as i started in 2007 and had my own duty for a couple of years before the cull/reviews began. I remember a manager handing over the first one that ever came into our office like it was the crown jewels and explaining to me exactly what he wanted done to deliver it.

[qw]

If you are in reasonable shape physically, it is still a decent job. The biggest change I have noticed, is low letter boxes, which are arguably more damaging to the body than being made to walk a few miles extra a day.

Residents with low letterboxes are the people who get mail once a week

[2pints]

Can be phyically tiring on very busy days but other than that i find the job fairly easy,on my 12th year and no plans to leave yet

[postslippete]

If you are in reasonable shape physically, it is still a decent job. The biggest change I have noticed, is low letter boxes, which are arguably more damaging to the body than being made to walk a few miles extra a day.

If you do packets on the IPS the white Yorks are also a health and safety issue.

I'm sure that what is damaging to the body over time is carrying an overweight bag on the back. The lack of weight distribution causes you to lean to one side and that affects not just your lower back and lumbar spine but also your shoulder, hips and even your legs as it affects your ability to maintain an upright posture.

Always use the trolleys or break the bags up.

[osgoody1970]

I remember a story some years ago, that a high up management had seen them working like mad in the stock exchange and was told, their were working at 100 per cent BSI(British standard institute) and he said we must start to work to that, now bear in mind the people in the stock exchange are on 6 figure sums and that again in bonuses and it’s not that physical a job, maybe very stressful,…to ask postmen to work to that standard, just shows you how out of touch senior management are!!

[CarryingMGMT]

I remember a story some years ago, that a high up management had seen them working like mad in the stock exchange and was told, their were working at 100 per cent BSI(British standard institute) and he said we must start to work to that, now bear in mind the people in the stock exchange are on 6 figure sums and that again in bonuses and it’s not that physical a job, maybe very stressful,…to ask postmen to work to that standard, just shows you how out of touch senior management are!!

I remember this too. This is why most of the walks are far too long, IPS sorters are way less than needed and duties are so uneven now. It's been a slow and deliberate process, but it is almost complete now.

[Postie45]

When I started the job it was come in to the office and work hard, job and knock and go home 2 hours early. Since we now work to our full hours and have far extended work loads there is zero incentive to rush. Do the job at fair pace, take your breaks and it's still comparably a difficult job to most others with little to zero downtime .

[gimba]

Used to be way harder about a year ago, would rush like mad and fast pace, because you had the benefit of going home early.
Now you can't go home early and have to stay, and walks made longer. so now it's just a casual pace until my time, and doesn't matter if I don't complete, far easier now as i just don't care to finish if I have to rush to do it

[Jack1960]

Have done about 45 years now in delivery , as I've said on here before , bike ,and now hct and although my round is just over 4 hours it's actually easier as I use hct as it's meant to be used rather than a mobile pouch box. The heavy bag on the shoulder is happily a thing of the past , and there is no reason for anyone to be using it .But its still non stop from when we get in but after I definitely retire in a few months I know I will miss it

[Barnacle]

Have done about 45 years now in delivery , as I've said on here before , bike ,and now hct and although my round is just over 4 hours it's actually easier as I use hct as it's meant to be used rather than a mobile pouch box. The heavy bag on the shoulder is happily a thing of the past , and there is no reason for anyone to be using it .But its still non stop from when we get in but after I definitely retire in a few months I know I will miss it

Aww Jack :(

How do you mean ‘use htc as it’s meant to be used’? What is the correct way to use it?

[Wullie10]

The job is physical and tiring especially once you hit 60 but it is what your body is used to. Laying floors for one day would kill me even with breaks. I could Walk all day on delivery without problems. Half an hour in the garden and I'm aching.

[ted_e_bear]

Have done about 45 years now in delivery , as I've said on here before , bike ,and now hct and although my round is just over 4 hours it's actually easier as I use hct as it's meant to be used rather than a mobile pouch box. The heavy bag on the shoulder is happily a thing of the past , and there is no reason for anyone to be using it .But its still non stop from when we get in but after I definitely retire in a few months I know I will miss it

Aww Jack :(

How do you mean ‘use htc as it’s meant to be used’? What is the correct way to use it?

I think he means push it round the duty working from it as opposed to park it up and go off with a bag on your back hence his likening it to a mobile pouch box.

[Nickvilla20]

Have done about 45 years now in delivery , as I've said on here before , bike ,and now hct and although my round is just over 4 hours it's actually easier as I use hct as it's meant to be used rather than a mobile pouch box. The heavy bag on the shoulder is happily a thing of the past , and there is no reason for anyone to be using it .But its still non stop from when we get in but after I definitely retire in a few months I know I will miss it

Aww Jack :(

How do you mean ‘use htc as it’s meant to be used’? What is the correct way to use it?

I think he means push it round the duty working from it as opposed to park it up and go off with a bag on your back hence his likening it to a mobile pouch box.

A HCT shouldn’t be left for more than 15 minutes and in reality all HCT rounds should be done while pushing it round the whole delivery. I’m on a HCT walk and it’s impossible to do all with the HCT but others I’m my office have no problem using it round the whole delivery.

[DirtyHarry]

This job is so great, so easy, we have one fella who has only been at our office a year, and he looks like he's done a 30 year stretch.
He won't be here come Christmas, that's a sure fire bet.

Management have made a right Pig's ear of our job.
It is, by far and away, the worst job I have ever had.

I wouldn't have said that 25 years ago, even though it looked as though it was on the slide, even then.

[Rommagic]

Still ghost overtime.