Postie career

pallyparker

pallyparker

Active member
Does anybody do it? I've been debating for a while to have a complete career change and the prospect of being a postie really appeals. Both mentally and physically I think it must be good for you. Only thing maybe stopping me from taking the plunge is the salary I'm on now compared to what it might be as a postie. What could I expect to earn? Anyway, be good to hear what people think.
 
funnily enough been thinking the same for a while even possible part time not even sure if that is an option or if there is an age limit i.e. would I be too old for the role, but like idea of something stress free and getting the exercise as well
 
I did it about 10 year ago, the wage was alright, not great but 2,3 quid above NMW and more you put in then obviously better wage you'll get if you do the extra leaflets, pick up an extra round if someone is off etc. Weekly pay at the time too which i loved. Walked miles, i loved it but the jobs are few and far between and it is a job loads of people want so competition is quite high, more a case of knowing someone who can get you in or it was for me. If you look on the royal mail website it shows available jobs and the rates of pay.
 
Brother in law is a postie, got in through a management program, but liked the rounds better. Likes it, but his back is knackered from carrying bags for 15 years.
 
VestasBoro said:
I did it about 10 year ago, the wage was alright, not great but 2,3 quid above NMW and more you put in then obviously better wage you'll get if you do the extra leaflets, pick up an extra round if someone is off etc. Weekly pay at the time too which i loved. Walked miles, i loved it but the jobs are few and far between and it is a job loads of people want so competition is quite high, more a case of knowing someone who can get you in or it was for me. If you look on the royal mail website it shows available jobs and the rates of pay.
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yeah funnily enough my next door neighbour is a postie and he was telling me to look out on the site as there are new positions coming up soon. i'm really tempted to just go for it. in my old career of 20 years i was made redundant in 2020 (company blamed covid) and eventually found similar line of work. but it's not something that really interests me anymore, hence the postie idea. i also spend 45 minutes driving to work monday to friday and with current fuel costs that's setting me back £200 a month. I guess even if I was to take a cut I'd be saving on fuel so it may work out similar. thanks for the reply.
 
Fattyfoggon said:
funnily enough been thinking the same for a while even possible part time not even sure if that is an option or if there is an age limit i.e. would I be too old for the role, but like idea of something stress free and getting the exercise as well
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i'm 42 mate, life in the old dog yet!
 
I retired last year at 58, and looked into it, as getting up early and keeping fit is something I have always done, so even doing it part time would have suited. I enquired through a postie mate, but was politely informed (though not officially) that I was a bit old for the job. Bit of nonsense really, as I regularly run 30 to 40miles week, can still run a 5k in sub 22, so probably fitter than most of the posties in the area :ROFLMAO:
 
I did it for about a year, about 12 years ago. Was having a bit of a mid-life crisis, marriage breaking up, drinking too much, work suffering. Being a postie was many things - firstly bloody hard work, bikes were used then and I was given all the tough rounds - cycled miles. The hours were horrific to start - was agency initially, and was working from about 5am til 6pm 6 days a week! Was doing all the overtime going. I remember the feeling of walking out of work each day, and the unique experience of not carrying one thing/worry forward to the next day, a weird & fantastic feeling for me. I loved the mix of comradery in the morning, getting your round together, then the hours out on your own. It was the best mental & physical therapy I ever had. Got really fit, without trying. Gave it up after a year - found the combination of low wages & high hours wasnt good for my life work balance going forward. A great experience though.
 
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I looked into it when I left the armed forces. I picked up and immediate pension in my early 40s so wasn't overly concerned with the wage drop.

I think it was just above minimum wage. Yet like you found the idea of keeping fit and going out and meeting people daily etc.

I did enquire. I found out that the many of my local posties are agency workers. I guess it suits the post office as they will be zero hour contracts. Also can hire and fire as required. I think like many agency jobs they 'dangle the carrot' of being taken on permanently if you do well.

I have no issues with getting up early and like the thought of the walking. It's not something I've ruled out. So interested to see other comments👍
 
Karmacop said:
I retired last year at 58, and looked into it, as getting up early and keeping fit is something I have always done, so even doing it part time would have suited. I enquired through a postie mate, but was politely informed (though not officially) that I was a bit old for the job. Bit of nonsense really, as I regularly run 30 to 40miles week, can still run a 5k in sub 22, so probably fitter than most of the posties in the area :ROFLMAO:
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harsh that mate. you could easily have done it! their loss.
 
afcb_acklam said:
I did it for about a year, about 12 years ago. Was having a bit of a mid-life crisis, marriage breaking up, drinking too much, work suffering. Being a postie was many things - firstly bloody hard work, bikes were used then and I was given all the tough rounds - cycled miles. The hours were horrific to start - was agency initially, and was working from about 5am til 6pm 6 days a week! Was doing all the overtime going. I remember the feeling of walking out of work each day, and the unique experience of not carrying one thing/worry forward to the next day, a weird & fantastic feeling for me. I loved the mix of comradery in the morning, getting your round together, then the hours out on your own. It was the best mental & physical therapy I ever had. Got really fit, without trying. Gave it up after a year - found the combination of low wages & high hours wasnt good for my life work balance going forward. A great experience though.
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great stuff. thanks mate. yes, i may just be at that point where this is something i need to do. i don't feel like i'm getting enough exercise since starting my current job. i've done ultra marathons in the past but now the extent of my exercise is walking the dog after work. be great to just get out and about. the office i work in now doesn't even have bloody windows!
 
Karmacop said:
I retired last year at 58, and looked into it, as getting up early and keeping fit is something I have always done, so even doing it part time would have suited. I enquired through a postie mate, but was politely informed (though not officially) that I was a bit old for the job. Bit of nonsense really, as I regularly run 30 to 40miles week, can still run a 5k in sub 22, so probably fitter than most of the posties in the area :ROFLMAO:
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similar to yourself age wise and fitness do loads of cycling and running so still pretty fit and I did know one older guy who got in to local PO but suspect he probably knew someone to get him in there still maybe give it a go either way
 
If you go to the games on a Saturday you should think about if it the right move. The Post Office are trying to make big changes to it working hours which will probably stop you going to the games. I believe the posties have voted for strike action
 
Ive worked for Royal Mail for 13 years, only a baby in terms of length of service. Started off as a Saturday only postie to supplement my self employed tiling wage. Loved it that much that I ended up going full time. I have since moved on from being a postie but have stayed with the company.

The postie wage is about £12 an hour I think, includes delivery supplement.
Since privatisation the postie role has changed massively. Expect now to walk about 25,000 steps everyday. Deliveries are about 5hrs. Thats a long time is its raining. I believe the hours will change, later starts and finishes. Expect to work every Saturday as a new starter, until you get your own walk. Then probably work 3 out of 4 Saturdays.
When I left my delivery office, majority of new starters were women/mums on 24 hr contracts. Suited them to start at 9am and finish at 3pm.
 
The_Tiler said:
Ive worked for Royal Mail for 13 years, only a baby in terms of length of service. Started off as a Saturday only postie to supplement my self employed tiling wage. Loved it that much that I ended up going full time. I have since moved on from being a postie but have stayed with the company.

The postie wage is about £12 an hour I think, includes delivery supplement.
Since privatisation the postie role has changed massively. Expect now to walk about 25,000 steps everyday. Deliveries are about 5hrs. Thats a long time is its raining. I believe the hours will change, later starts and finishes. Expect to work every Saturday as a new starter, until you get your own walk. Then probably work 3 out of 4 Saturdays.
When I left my delivery office, majority of new starters were women/mums on 24 hr contracts. Suited them to start at 9am and finish at 3pm.
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Thanks Tiler, that's really helpful. £12 p/w not so bad if you can get 40 hours in a week. This is my only concern really, but if I can earn something close to what I'm on now (and save on fuel) then it's feasible. Thanks again, really useful info.
 
Know a couple of people who started as posties in the last few months. Both are still agency I think most posties these days are agency at least initially, hoping to be taken on properly eventually. Contracts are 24 hr contracts but they both work full time and always seems to be plenty of overtime for them. Obviously when you are agency staff you don't get a some of the supplements, extra holidays and good pension full timers get or sick pay, so maybe factor that in. Both like their job but are looking for other jobs as being agency staff isn't great.
 
pallyparker said:
great stuff. thanks mate. yes, i may just be at that point where this is something i need to do. i don't feel like i'm getting enough exercise since starting my current job. i've done ultra marathons in the past but now the extent of my exercise is walking the dog after work. be great to just get out and about. the office i work in now doesn't even have bloody windows!
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An office without windows is just a cupboard surely 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
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