This used to be a great place to work, but due to cut back and other measures, this is no long a great place to work.
Manager (Former Employee) – London – 6 March 2013
This used to be a great place to work, but due to cut back and other measures, this is no long a great place to work. In fact I do not know of anyone that still works there, actually enjoys doing so. The wages are still good compared to other industries, with very good bonuses and benefits. The culture and values within this job has changed dramatically. Where upon your fellow worker would help you out, now it is every person for themselves, and no one cares about anybody else anymore. Everyone now is trying to get one over on everyone else especially between managers and postmen. The job used to be for life, but now there isn't any security in this job, and trying to advance yourself is virtually impossible, as there have been so many cut backs within the managerial framework, there aren't the jobs to go for, and if you are fortunate to get onto the first rung, it is only on a temporary message which can last for years, without any guarantee of a permanent job, and the fact that you are temporary you could at any time be reverted back to your original grade and pay at any time. Front line managers are put under so much pressure that I do not understand why anyone would want to put themselves through it. With the amount of job losses a lot of the support functions for front line managers has been removed, with most of them undertaking more hours than they are paid for in order to get the job done. And trying to advance through the managerial ranks is indeed quite difficult. Although the job is quite a simple one, it has become more stress full with postmen not being able to complete their rounds on time managers working longer than their contractual hours, even though postmen work a short hours than management the job is still a 24/7 operation, so therefore the balance of working your home life with your social life isn't always an ease one. However, the life I had was a great one, I enjoyed most if not all my time within Royal Mail, but after 41 years and the changes that were made I got out early.
Pros
good pay good benifits
Cons
the new changes and ways of working