Working as a relief

[chance1000000]

Hi everyone, my name is Antony and im new to the boards but I just wanted a little help on becoming a relief worker for the Post-office. I will give you story:
Ive been currently working for a local postoffice for nearly 3 years on part-time basis and the whole of 2011 I took another part-timers hours making me full time as I were covering the other persons matunity leave which is the bosses wife. Whilst on full time they both went on holiday leaving me on my own, I didn't mind as I know how to run a post-office and confident enough to be left on my own. During this time I enjoyed it but as I am back to part-time again it gave me the idea to enquire about covering other post-offices around the area. I am still practically left on my own doing all the nitty-gritty stuff like cutting off the end of the day stuff, filling the atm, cashing up etc. I don't want to look for a full time job because the post-office is 2 minutes walk from where I live and the boss I know from school who is a few years older than me. It even has a shop side with me being from the local area I even know the other staff and dont want to leave for these reasons. Before I bore you going on and on I want to know how and what is needed to become a relief worker?? I can do everything except passports. Also I have worked in a car tax post-office before this job so Ive got a bit more than 3 years experience. I hope someone can help me in the right direction. I live in Blackburn, Lancashire if anyone wants to know my area...

[The BFO]

I would type up a CV and deliver it to as many Post Offices as I could within my area.

[chance1000000]

I would type up a CV and deliver it to as many Post Offices as I could within my area.

I thought of this already but that is as though I am applying for a job, do I not need to register my name and details with postoffice head office and they check you out and send for training etc (as I am fully trained this wouldn't be a problem). What my idea was is to register in my area and surrounding towns and the post-office wanting relief will contact me when required. Its maybe worth delivering my CV like you say but I really thought that you had to register properly.

[The BFO]

I would type up a CV and deliver it to as many Post Offices as I could within my area.

I thought of this already but that is as though I am applying for a job, do I not need to register my name and details with postoffice head office and they check you out and send for training etc (as I am fully trained this wouldn't be a problem). What my idea was is to register in my area and surrounding towns and the post-office wanting relief will contact me when required. Its maybe worth delivering my CV like you say but I really thought that you had to register properly.

I think you are unduly complicating the situation. Sell yourself to potential employers first, and let them worry about the 'training, registering, and checking'.

[chance1000000]

Yes that was my first thought, what I was thinking was registering on somekind of database so if any post-office within say 20miles or whatever distance can find me, check me out etc which would be an easier way than sending 100s cvs to every post-office in lancashire. Thats what i were getting at and surely I need some kind of permission from someone. It is not a problem sending cv's out but it would be a lot of cv's that need printing out.

[The BFO]

I understand what you mean but I am not aware of any such system of central coordination.

[paulpg36]

The NFSP run a scheme but you must be a member which of course you won't be. The best way is to send or take (probably best) your CV round to all the local POs but if you do undertake work for them, each one will need to register you with the Post Office HR for each individual office you work at using form P250. This is a real bind as you would expect that once you are registered at 1 office, you can work at any but unfortunately it doesn't work like this in POworld! Best of luck.

[chance1000000]

Thanks for your replies, I read the nfsp magazines (I probably read them more than the sub-postmaster) at work but I obviously I am not a member, i do see the odd advertisement in there for help, none have been anywere near where I live otherwise I would have enquired even though they are looking for an actual postmaster, but they can only say no. I will do what you say and send cv's out and I will remember the P250 and will keep it in my head. Thank-you ever so much for your help and its a shame you just couldn't put your name down on a database waiting for contact from post-offices. thanks again..Antony

[diane1606]

I am a fairly new Subpostmaster (almost 3 years at a great little P.O. in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire..) I have had 2 wonderful Relief Post-people who have worked for me during my only 2 breaks so far, and occasional Saturdays. Sadly I can't afford to give them lots of work, for which reason they have both had to find more hours elsewhere (not necessarily in P.O. work, as few of us subpostmasters can afford time off, enough to pay for Holiday Relief, at all!) It's a relatively "easy" P.O., with fabulous, supportive local people, and THOUSANDS of visitors. I have been advertising locally, but no-one has yet turned up with relevant experience. (Plenty of applicants for my very busy adjoining Village Shop, but I already have staff to cover that!) I pay £10/hour for someone who is willing to run the P.O. in my absence, most Saturdays would be super, and I would love a holiday, even once a year!..BUT..holiday / Saturdays off prospects are looking pretty bleak! It seems all the good, experienced people are too far away!

[TFL001]

if you go on to the NFSP there is away of signing up as a relief they charge postmasters for this find a relief service... i am in liverpool and looking on starting to do the same thing hope you have had luck with your application and let us know how you got on

[Nige97]

Google a company called HR4UK. They supply relief sub postmasters to those who subscribe to their services. They also indemnify sub postmasters against losses incurred by any reliefs they supply.

To offer this service they must have a database of people prepared to do relief work and I suspect they would want to know everything about you and take references before they put you on their books but it might be a way forward for you.

Nige97

[saeed]

hi, i was wondering if anyone could help. i am in search of a relief worker that can look after my post office whilst i'm on holiday. if interested in the role please call 0161 7752103.
thanks

[mallor1]

I have 23 years experience as a sub-postmaster and looking now for relief work in the North Lancs/South Cumbria area
Call 01524416320 if you think i may be able to assist.

[subbie]

You are welcome to join the Postmasters Branch of the CWU, the NFSP will not let you join them and they are going out of business anyway.

The Postmasters branch of the CWU has Sub Office reliefs as members already, and they will circulate your details amongst their membership database, no guarantees of getting any work, but at least other Postmasters will know that your services are available, if you want to join PM me and I'll arrange it.

Subbie

[POSTMAN]

You are welcome to join the Postmasters Branch of the CWU, the NFSP will not let you join them and they are going out of business anyway.

The Postmasters branch of the CWU has Sub Office reliefs as members already, and they will circulate your details amongst their membership database, no guarantees of getting any work, but at least other Postmasters will know that your services are available, if you want to join PM me and I'll arrange it.

Subbie

Are you on commission or something?
What makes you think the NFSP is going out of business,what's going on over there?
How does being a member of the CWU get his details to sub offices,bearing in mind the last figures I saw there wasn't that many who had joined.