What the hell did I get myself into?!??!

Aus10 · Post by **Aus10** » 23 Feb 2016, 12:41

Have been on the job a few weeks. Quickly realised it was NOT the 5hr job advertised. I'm struggling to finish on time and am often back at the office after it has been locked up or close to that time. I've developed a terrible pain in my heel and I'm so tired when I get home that I'm in bed by 8 or 9 pm. Heck, I ain't THAT old as yet!

I dread going to work, feel frustrated and discouraged - especially on a new walk - and am just basically overwhelmed by the volume of mail, parcels, d2d we're expected to deliver. In that regard, Wednesdays are hellish! Not to mention the pressure of getting Specials delivered on time.

Already I am thinking of leaving. On the one hand, it's great being outdoors and working on my own; I like being busy and am happy to earn but on the other hand, is it worth it if the job fills me with despair and anxiety; leaves me too tired and stressed to enjoy evenings with my family?

I feel disappointed in myself that I can't seem to 'come up to scratch,' and ashamed that I want to quit/leave especially when most posties at my DO seem to be ever so resilient despite the hardships of the job/workplace. I also don't want to disappoint my very supportive spouse.

On a light day I can cope as it is easier. I finish before the office closes and, nevermind what the weather is, like being out, having a sense of purpose as I get my deliveries done. But such days are few

The plan is to try and stick it out until my contract expires. I like earning but no amount of money is worth it if I'm left feeling the way I do at the end of the day.

I was really excited to work for Royal Mail but the reality certainly does not in any way match my (naive?!) expectations.

GT85 · Post by **GT85** » 23 Feb 2016, 15:14

Welcome to RM

As you are finding out being a postperson on delivery is not as easy as people believe it is. Try and stick with it, the first few months are the hardest and after that you will get faster and it will all become easier.
Management will often rely upon the fact that newbies will be willing to work extra hours to create a good impression or because they need to make their money up but remember you do not have to work past your hours if you don't want to, just be strong and follow the cutting off procedure.
Speak to your Workplace coach/union rep/manager about still being out after the office has shut, it sounds like they need to give you some help to complete until you are up to speed.

good luck

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 Feb 2016, 15:23

What he said. It's a steep learning curve and not for the faint hearted. Well done for sticking it out this far, now join the Union if you haven't already and remember the hardest part is behind you. Now that you are undoubtedly catching on it will get easier.

As for the heel pain, it may be just strained from walking if so get some gel impact insoles, they help. Or you may have the start of plantar fasciitis, it sounds horrible but do a google search and use some of the remedies. I use the cold bottle of water one.

Well done and welcome to the home of the early geriatric, knee failing, aching shoulders club that is part of being a postie.

PrivateRM · Post by **PrivateRM** » 23 Feb 2016, 20:05

Ha now you know it's not the easy job everyone thinks it is

PostmanCat · Post by **PostmanCat** » 24 Feb 2016, 23:16

Stick with it, it really does get better
Not so long ago I was feeling exactly as you do, then literally overnight it got easier.

Aus10 · Post by **Aus10** » 25 Feb 2016, 19:42

Thanks to each of you for your advice and words of encouragement. Will stick with it for a bit and see how it goes. Loooong day today but did mostly enjoy it. Hopefully tomorrow will also be OK.

Hope you all have a happy Friday and a super-good weekend!

grumpyme · Post by **grumpyme** » 26 Feb 2016, 17:28

I think all newbies feel daunted at doing their walk, i know i did.

Must admit i thought the same as you when i started, that was 20 years ago...

Keep at it and good luck.

Aus10 · Post by **Aus10** » 28 Feb 2016, 17:48

grumpyme wrote:I think all newbies feel daunted at doing their walk, i know i did.

Must admit i thought the same as you when i started, that was 20 years ago...

Keep at it and good luck.

Thanks grumpyme. I appreciate the encouragement! However have you managed 20 years?! 20 weeks seems impossible to me.

grumpyme · Post by **grumpyme** » 29 Feb 2016, 17:59

Aus10 wrote:
grumpyme wrote:I think all newbies feel daunted at doing their walk, i know i did.

Must admit i thought the same as you when i started, that was 20 years ago...

Keep at it and good luck.
Thanks grumpyme. I appreciate the encouragement! However have you managed 20 years?! 20 weeks seems impossible to me.

Are you working from how your frame is set out, Aus10 ?

If so, try doing your walk a different way round, to suit you that is.

You will get quicker, honest. Before you know it you'll be on auto-pilot and everything will just fall into place.

Don't give up just yet.

Postman Matt · Post by **Postman Matt** » 29 Feb 2016, 18:28

This is what worries me, and I haven't even started yet! I'm not currently in my fittest shape, so I'm expecting it to take me a a good while longer to continue a round that an experienced postie would do in much less, add to that the learning of the route and how to manage the mail distribution. I'm under no illusion it's an easy job - I'm just hoping I can do it, stick with it, until it becomes easier due to experience. My biggest worry is going through this for the three months placement, only to find I'm not kept on and it's all been for nothing...

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 01 Mar 2016, 08:25

Postman Matt wrote:This is what worries me, and I haven't even started yet! I'm not currently in my fittest shape, so I'm expecting it to take me a a good while longer to continue a round that an experienced postie would do in much less, add to that the learning of the route and how to manage the mail distribution. I'm under no illusion it's an easy job - I'm just hoping I can do it, stick with it, until it becomes easier due to experience. My biggest worry is going through this for the three months placement, only to find I'm not kept on and it's all been for nothing...

In this job the turnover of new staff is quite high so as long as you turn up on time, do your best and keep plodding on its unlikely they wont keep you on.

Postman Matt · Post by **Postman Matt** » 01 Mar 2016, 18:37

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
Postman Matt wrote:This is what worries me, and I haven't even started yet! I'm not currently in my fittest shape, so I'm expecting it to take me a a good while longer to continue a round that an experienced postie would do in much less, add to that the learning of the route and how to manage the mail distribution. I'm under no illusion it's an easy job - I'm just hoping I can do it, stick with it, until it becomes easier due to experience. My biggest worry is going through this for the three months placement, only to find I'm not kept on and it's all been for nothing...

In this job the turnover of new staff is quite high so as long as you turn up on time, do your best and keep plodding on its unlikely they wont keep you on.

I'm just thinking if my fitness level stops me from finishing the rounds and having to call in for someone to come pick a couple bags up and finish for me - I would have thought do that more than a few times and your cards would be marked

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 01 Mar 2016, 18:45

Your right in that situation any reasonable person would think that you would be unsuited to the task. However unless you are grossly obese, rather than just unfit and overweight, your body will adapt.

My personal recommendation if you are worried about fitness levels is to start walking medium distances (up to 5 miles) and see how you cope, then increase that to 7 -9 miles - if you can cope with that you'll be okay.

Fitness isn't really required for this job, determination and stamina are, though.

Deedlight · Post by **Deedlight** » 01 Mar 2016, 22:30

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:Fitness isn't really required for this job, determination and stamina are, though.

I second this, the walking part is piece of cake. It is the carrying that's heavy and determination to plod on despite disturbances, delays, clients and weather :P

johnbhoy · Post by **johnbhoy** » 14 Mar 2016, 19:04

Hey guys-

Joined a while back but haven't posted yet but felt compelled to post here as i'm fairly new having started January 15 and can fully sympathise where newbies are coming from. I nearly chucked it too....was transferred from the DO i was hired to another one after 2 weeks. The new office expected a fully trained guy and of course was put onto the heaviest duty going which i accept is the same for all new starts. I can see their logic for this but i still resent the lack of support i got. Let's put it this way, the guy i shared a van with back then was no workplace coach and wasn't shy at telling you so! There are apparently 2 coaches in the office and i've yet to see them do anything that justifies the tag in over a year. Management will take the piss afaic.....for example i told them 3 times in first week that i hadn't passed driver training and still they asked if i could take it out which i stupidly did but eventually got union guy who came in with me and told them to do one!!

Anyway, wasn't working for me/partner for a couple of months and management put me on an HCT. Glad to see the back of the guy to be honest and best thing they did for me. Miraculously i got better within that first week...draw your own conclusions! Last few months back on shared van with my mate and more often than not i'm catching him up now...bloody love it!!! The guy who started before me lasted 2 weeks before he chucked it but i'm glad i stuck it as will come. I was hired on 25hpw for 9 months and made permanent before this was up which i thought was quick and didn't expect it. They've also bumped me up 27.5hpw but that's another story.

MORALE IS TO ANY NEWBIE- STICK AT IT. WE HAVE ALL BEING THERE. WE REALLY HAVE. IF NOT HAPPY GO SEE MANAGEMENT. IF NO JOY GO SEE UNION REP.