A Royal Mail Casual Mail Sorter

[vnewson]

Hi
Just wondered if anyone could help. I have booked an inteview slot for a Causal Mail Sorter postion. Can you acually make a living from this kind of work? Is it true you get regular work the first 12 weeks then just shifts as and when? Are the shifts mixed (i.e. you could get a one week with mixed shifts, some morning shifts and some afternoon shifts?).
Just wondering as I need a regular paid job if it was worth going!
Thanks

[undertaker1]

I'm in the exact same boat as you. I got an interview next week as a casual worker but having read some of people experiences on here about lack of shifts I'm contemplating whether to go or not. 1 shift a fortnight is not good enough for me. I'd like at least a couple a week.

[vnewson]

Yes its all the bad reviews on how many shifts you get is putting me off as well. I would need at least 4 days a week ideally 5! Lets hope some people can shed more light on the matter!

[undertaker1]

Yeah I got interview at the Cardiff branch & I read that someone from that branch can barely get a shift so he dont know why they are recruiting more people. just see what other people say...

[ennabee]

Depends on which site you work and how fair, or careful, your Angard contact is in giving out the work.Some do make a living wage yes, some after their 12 weeks earn the equivalent of a good part time wage for relatively few hours. At some sites however, by the sound if it, there's is little work and its "unevenly" spread.

[sykes644]

i have had my id card since 4th March and only had 2 4hr shifts and 1 10hr shift ,,, yet all the woman who had interview the same day as me get 3 or 4 shifts every week .. i think its if your face fits ,,, take tonight my friend was here in my front room and they phoned her for work tonight ,, i never heard nothing ,, so i rang them and they said NO ONE is needed tonight ,, so i said my friend who is sat next to me just had a call ,, all they did was hang up .. never even asked my name ,,,,

[Musictomyears]

I would agree with others in that it really depends which MC your at and i guess how many casuals they have. I only started a while ago, but in a big MC, where they've got many more casuals than they would ever need. On the shifts front, you have you try get in as much as you can to become a regular on a shift for them to start to call you in, as they've got plenty of people who've been there for a while they always rely on. It does mainly lie with your Angard consultant, because if they share them fairly then you shouldn't have a problem with getting shifts.. but it doesn't always happen! Also, just depends on the system, as I've had a few people who've started the same time as me, and they receive regular texts for shifts, when i haven't received any.. Even if yours is a busy MC you may want to take on the job until you find something else, at least by then you can build your AWR, which is when even with a few shifts you'd make a decent living. Hope that helps in some way! :)

[sykes644]

I would agree with others in that it really depends which MC your at and i guess how many casuals they have. I only started a while ago, but in a big MC, where they've got many more casuals than they would ever need. On the shifts front, you have you try get in as much as you can to become a regular on a shift for them to start to call you in, as they've got plenty of people who've been there for a while they always rely on. It does mainly lie with your Angard consultant, because if they share them fairly then you shouldn't have a problem with getting shifts.. but it doesn't always happen! Also, just depends on the system, as I've had a few people who've started the same time as me, and they receive regular texts for shifts, when i haven't received any.. Even if yours is a busy MC you may want to take on the job until you find something else, at least by then you can build your AWR, which is when even with a few shifts you'd make a decent living. Hope that helps in some way! :)

mine is a large MC it does all the SO SP post codes and also just started taking on the whole of the PO post codes including the Isle of White ,, what i found strange was they never said all the positions for that night were taken just that there was NO One needed , and then hung up,,,, that is just palin Rude, my friend an di have the same consultant

[Musictomyears]

Oh right i see, that's a shame yeah there's only one consultant for everyone at ours, you should still try ring in for shifts and then if you only get one or two maybe speak to your staffing at RM and they might be able to contact your consultant and speak to him or something

[sykes644]

exactly the same happened today i rang them to see if any shifts , as soon as they picked up he said my name ,, knew who i was before i spoke ,, said sorry no shifts tonight ,, then 20 mins later called 2 people i know and offered them shifts tonight,,

this is totally out of order ,, i ain't pissed anyone off as i dont know any one at the agency

[codkilla2408]

exactly the same happened today i rang them to see if any shifts , as soon as they picked up he said my name ,, knew who i was before i spoke ,, said sorry no shifts tonight ,, then 20 mins later called 2 people i know and offered them shifts tonight,,

this is totally out of order ,, i ain't pissed anyone off as i dont know any one at the agency

Doesn't surprise me I work at the same mc and I've had my card since July last year and I've had 1 shift a week since Xmas when last year I was in a lot including Saturday's I used to get a Saturday Monday 9 hours each and a Wednesday and Thursday 4 hours each now I just get a call when it suits them

[Borusa1976]

Yes, I been getting that from the Soton mail centre as well.

Sad thing is that after four years of working for Manpower, Royal Mail and Angard - got to seriously start thinking about leaving as I need hours to work as need the money and can't survive on 4 hours or 7 hours a week.