Postperson

Introduction

Postpersons, also known as postmen and post women, carry out the collection, sorting and delivery of mail to homes, factories, offices and other premises.

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Work Activities

Postpersons collect, sort, distribute and deliver mail. The duties of a postperson include sorting mail ready for delivery and filling delivery bags. They are then responsible for delivering letters either on foot, by bicycle, bus, car or van.

In the sorting office, some people are employed to 'face' the letters. This involves turning the letters so that they face in the same direction, checking and cancelling either 1st or 2nd class stamps.

Some oversee the automated sorting machines.

Others work as data entry keyers. They watch pictures of the mail going past and key in corrections in response to prompts. They must have fast keyboarding skills (45 words a minute).

Some mail is still sorted by hand; the sorter placing each item in one of an array of pigeon holes according to the address and then from time to time emptying the boxes and taking the letters and packages to a central point.

Some postpersons sort mail that has been posted in their district, ready to go to other parts of the country while others sort mail that has arrived from outside the district, ready to be delivered to local sub post offices for final sorting and delivery.

Some postpersons are employed as drivers. Large goods vehicle drivers transport mail over long distances. This requires the driver to hold a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence. Local drivers deliver mail in vans from central offices to local offices, collect mail from boxes and may sometimes sort mail. Drivers are usually experienced postal workers.

Parcels work is similar to that of letters.

In all cases, it is the postperson's responsibility to get the post from the sorting office to the destination. They may be delivering important documents that must arrive at the correct address.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You should be fit and healthy enough to carry heavy bags or pull trolleys of mail. You must be honest and reliable.

Working in a sorting office requires quick and careful work. A good memory is useful as is a basic knowledge of geography and the ability to decipher untidy handwriting.

A driving licence is useful, and is required for some posts.

In some jobs, particularly in remote areas, you may have to ride a bicycle in all weathers.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Postal workers earn in the range of £220 - £290 a week, rising to £340 - £380. Higher earners can make around £430 a week.

Postal workers usually work a basic 40-hour week. Sorting office staff must be prepared to work unsocial hours that involve shifts. Delivery staff start early in the morning - from 4:30 am onwards. Some postal workers, including large goods vehicle drivers, work shifts through the night and on Sundays.

There are opportunities for temporary work, for example during the busy Christmas season.

Royal Mail employs postal workers throughout the UK. Parcelforce also employs sorting and delivery staff.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Background experience in delivery or driving work can be useful. Practical work, such as warehousing, packing or stores work, is helpful.

For some jobs, a current driving licence is necessary, while for others applicants may have to be willing to ride a bicycle.

• 2% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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