Reinventing career to post person with driving

veryintrigued

Looking for advice here please.

Been in a role for a significant amount of time (circa 20 years) and have been looking at these types of jobs for quite some time.

Finally I've been lucky enough to secure an interview.

The move would be a very significant decrease in salary from a 'corporate' one - but would be very worth it if it were to mean a happy and almost stressful life and cut out the rubbish. The role is for 24 hours a week and a 6 month contract.

So what things should I consider about the role for those who have an insight?

Staying at my current role isnt an option - my managers have no influence to make things better.

And the drop in salary is one which is manageable for us.

Thanks as always in advance

Southend1

I've never been a postal worker but I would imagine the main issues are low pay, antisocial hours, hard physical work, risk of attack/abuse from customers/general public. Having said that I have always thought it might be quite a rewarding job in the sense that you are providing a public service to the community.

It's only a six month role for now so why not give it a try? As you've said staying put isn't an option. It might be the best career move you make, and if it doesn't work out you can always do something different once the six months are up.

veryintrigued

Appreciate the replies so far.

Thank you

cr1mson

Knowing two postal workers in real life I wouldn't rely on it to be stress free. The Americans don't term a lone shooter going on a rampage 'going postal' for nothing!

There is a lot of change in the Royal Mail and no doubt a lot more to come so can't imagine it getting any better!

scooby088

You probably wont be doing one round but about 2/3 and as for the driving I think that is for the permanent members of staff.

custardy

veryintrigued wrote: »

Looking for advice here please.

Been in a role for a significant amount of time (circa 20 years) and have been looking at these types of jobs for quite some time.

Finally I've been lucky enough to secure an interview.

The move would be a very significant decrease in salary from a 'corporate' one - but would be very worth it if it were to mean a happy and almost stressful life and cut out the rubbish. The role is for 24 hours a week and a 6 month contract.

So what things should I consider about the role for those who have an insight?

Staying at my current role isnt an option - my managers have no influence to make things better.

And the drop in salary is one which is manageable for us.

Thanks as always in advance

Are you thinking the postal position will be stress free?

veryintrigued

custardy wrote: »

Are you thinking the postal position will be stress free?

Am not naive enough to believe there wont be stressful situations. But am hopeful this part times role would be far less stressful than my current one. Hence the post asking for knowledgable opinions.

Have you experience in this role?

veryintrigued

scooby088 wrote: »

You probably wont be doing one round but about 2/3 and as for the driving I think that is for the permanent members of staff.

Is this through experience please?

Dont all new starters begin on temp contracts nowadays?

custardy

veryintrigued wrote: »

Am not naive enough to believe there wont be stressful situations. But am hopeful this part times role would be far less stressful than my current one. Hence the post asking for knowledgable opinions.

Have you experience in this role?

As a part timer
you are bottom of a small heap
under short term contract
you will be treated as such

You will have the worst rounds and be moved round as and when required(either within your office or either offices)
You will be given little notice on what days off you have,duties etc
dont bother going off sick if you want your contract renewed(injuries are common in new starts)
all staff are now required to drive under the new contracts,so its not like ye olde days where 'driving duties' were the better duties.
be prepared to work beyond your finish times most days

As a caveat. I am stating this from experience of offices that are current in RMs 'modernisation' plans
Im sure there are still offices that are quite decent to work ofr
however my description is pretty much how it will be in the majority
however I can advise further if you go for it

veryintrigued

custardy wrote: »

As a part timer
you are bottom of a small heap
under short term contract
you will be treated as such

You will have the worst rounds and be moved round as and when required(either within your office or either offices)
You will be given little notice on what days off you have,duties etc
dont bother going off sick if you want your contract renewed(injuries are common in new starts)
all staff are now required to drive under the new contracts,so its not like ye olde days where 'driving duties' were the better duties.
be prepared to work beyond your finish times most days

As a caveat. I am stating this from experience of offices that are current in RMs 'modernisation' plans
Im sure there are still offices that are quite decent to work ofr
however my description is pretty much how it will be in the majority
however I can advise further if you go for it

Crikey - thats a sobering insight.

Appreciate you getting back to me

custardy

Donna89 wrote: »

Crikey me this thread got heavy fast. I suppose that there are harsh realities to starting a position. You might be able to carve yourself out a happy role relatively quickly though, veryintrigued

Another issue is 'seniority'
This is how duties are 'picked' in RM
This goes on start date
so someone starting now will be at the bottom of the pecking order for some time
Not so long ago senior staff moved onto driving duties/indoor work
with new staff coming in and everyone moving up the order
this doesn't really exist due to the changes
So even staff with 10 years service can be left as a reserve on different duties(and maybe offices) every day