Royal Mail

[emmie]

have had over 100,000 applications from people to fill vacancies at Royal Mail over the busy Christmas Period. That's going some, I wonder how they choose who would get one of the 10,000 i think he said, temporary vacancies.

[ojread2]

That is one heck of a lot of applicants!
There was job going at my daughters breakfast/after school club which I considered applying for but decided not to because I wasn't really qualified enough
Do you know how many applicants there were for it?















1 - yep, just the 1. And although that person got the job, on the morning they were supposed to start they called to say they wouldn't be starting at all! Wish I'd applied now lol

[factor-fiction]

I fancied the Royal Mail Christmas job but the nearest location was over 20 miles away.
One in ten isn't a bad ratio for jobs like this, but I'm not sure how they'd choose the shortlists. I am sure the process is quite hit and miss
I'm applying for teaching jobs at the moment and even temporary jobs lasting 3-6 months are getting over 30 applications. Even if I get past the first stage, when I get to the final selection day (give a lesson, interviews, written exercise) there are usually 6-8 other shortlisted candidates there.

[emmie]

This is like the 1980's all over again. I remember sending in CV's, and either getting no response, or a bog standard letter, you have not been successful at this time, and so forth. And wonder if it's the back to work people who are applying, or the students, new graduates, or just seasonal workers. I bet Royal Mail are overwhelmed.

[Old_Geezer]

See they are all lazy so & sos. Plenty of jobs going. Who suggested Coalition isn't working ?

[emmie]

OG, don't you mean they aren't all lazy so and so's

[anotheoldgit]

Lets hope that there is a better selection method than that used to recruit some call-centre staff.

By that I mean let's hope they can actually read the addresses on the mail, if you get my drift?

[emmie]

sadly for once AOG i do.

[anotheoldgit]

Why 'sadly' Em, there is no shame to it surely?

[emmie]

perhaps we are at cross purposes, our posties have been rather hit and miss, in the last few years, and can't say much about the ones we have now.

[notasyoungasiwas]

Plenty of jobs going OG - they are only for Christmas though, not permanent.

[anotheoldgit]

Sorry about that Em, I misunderstood your meaning.

[Bobbisox]

my post has just arrived......2-10???
what happened to the 7-30 deliveries????

[ojread2]

our post arrives any time between 9 and 3 - go figure
We get mail or the next close and other people get our mail ..
At this time of the year that will be a lot worse!

[Bobbisox]

and they say they are updating the whole structure oj????
Pony Express would be quicker

[argorstran]

The applicants undertake a series of aptitude tests and people who have worked for us before are favoured . Many of these are students so AOG yes they (and we) can read the address PROVIDED we can see the address in the first place - you would be amazed what we have to deal with !
Yes the deliveries are now carried out in the afternoon . The start time has been advanced form 05.00 to 06.45 . An 8hr. day gives 14.45 finish .The morning deliveries are gone for ever I'm afraid . We did try to do something - you may remember we went on strike but striking never works nowadays - the agenda is set .
The modernisation is under way - you may notice us using electronic pods and working from a van . Two of us work from a van and the target time for delivery is 10.05 to 14.05 with 40min meal relief at the end . Today my colleague and I managed to do the delivery from 10.15 to 14.35 - not bad going .
It will get slower in December especially if it's like last year . I'll put a post up letting you know how many layers of clothing I'm wearing when I'm out in it for 5hrs at -6C .

[Postdog]

Just to add, if you have a good post person anyway, a tip will make a trusted postie for life (or until the next resign).

Shortcomings in Royal Mail are down to the powers that be, not the soldiers.

Funny, I hated Christmas when I was delivering but I'd be back like a shot tomorrow if I could.

[daisya]

Now if I were a cynic...I would have to add...let's hope they check that none of the temps have criminal records...best time of the year to become someone in charge of "handling" mail with all that it brings. Cynic? Moi?

[argorstran]

Hi Daisy . We undergo an annual criminal records check every year and before we start . The information is passed to the Royal Mail by the Police Every so often you hear stories in the press - unfortunate but don't forget about the other 77,000 of us .

[daisya]

Thanks for that argor, nice to know there are checks in place, just that I've heard from friends of friends how a few posties have been "done" for wrong doing in our area over the years....not good when we have to put our trust in people. Perhaps it's just a natural occurrence as with most jobs - even the police nowadays...sigh.