https://www.reddit.com/r/northernireland/comments/1j85ez3/royal_mail_in_northern_ireland/
created by Old_Diet_4015 on 10/03/2025 at 18:19 UTC
2 upvotes, 9 top-level comments (showing 9)
Listening to the Nolan Show this morning. Discussion about the deterioration in the postal service in the North. A spokesman for Royal Mail said that part of the problem is high levels of absenteeism due to sickness. I thought this was only a problem in the Public Service.
Comment by Postmanpaddy at 10/03/2025 at 18:24 UTC
48 upvotes, 2 direct replies
A spokesman for royal mail is a lying bastard. It's deliberated deterioration across the UK with the aim (and it will happen) of reducing their universal service obligation. Management at the local level are being told not to deliver everything every day and to focus on parcels. Most areas of they're lucky are seeing an every other day mail service, other days much less. As a customer too obviously it's very fucking frustrating when you're waiting for important mail. The company no longer give a fuck about you and your mail. If it's not a parcel it's not important. Happy to answer any and all questions about this but it is beyond frustrating for us too.
We've low absenteeism in our office now after a period of high absenteeism and it's exactly the same, no overtime so fuck all is getting done. In a company that will only give part time contracts overtime is relied on to get the job done. This one policy is fucking the whole thing
Comment by Postmanpaddy at 10/03/2025 at 18:55 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I also would like to add the single biggest issue for royal mail in my eyes is them being forced to open their network to competitors. The likes of whistl and postal sort get access to royal mails network for a tiny fraction of the cost of stamps etc ( I'm fairly sure the prices are set by regulators and such) and so are able to massively undercut royal mails own prices and yet still utilise their network. If you look at id say 90% of your mail, especially from hospitals or government bodies oddly enough they will often say whistl or something in the corner where the stamp should be. Stamps are actually quite rare for us to see (aside from Christmas).
This is what drives the constant increases in the price of stamps, its not greed, well it may be, but it's also mainly the downstream access (whistl etc) price is set against the price of stamps so can only rise as stamps rise.
Comment by drumnadrough at 10/03/2025 at 19:57 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Yeah blame zero hour contracts, shit show. More managers than workers fs.
Comment by gervv at 10/03/2025 at 20:07 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Had several missed hospital appointments due to the post arriving days after the appointment date. In one instance, the letter was dated for the 1st of the month and it arrived on the 22nd.
It's hard to believe that when I was growing up the post would usually be in the hall when i came downstairs for breakfast before heading out to school. Seems like a story a lot of younger people simply wouldn't believe these days.
Comment by Donegal92-12 at 10/03/2025 at 18:37 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It’s hard to see how Royal Mail can exist in its present form - I get more junk mail than letters these days. Postie now only brings stuff bought on line - everything else is emailed.
Comment by irish_chatterbox at 10/03/2025 at 18:55 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
They recently swapped owners in December 2024 and around that time I've noticed the service has got worse. I wouldn't blame staff at sorting office and doing deliveries. This is on management and higher ups squeezing profits while running down services.
Comment by Cant-Be-Arsed101 at 10/03/2025 at 22:24 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Not surprised.. boring soul destroying job.
Comment by MarisCrane25 at 10/03/2025 at 19:03 UTC
1 upvotes, 3 direct replies
I remember seeing a job advert for a Royal Mail job and it said they were trying to recruit more "women and Protestants" because they were underrepresented. I found this strange given that Royal Mail is obviously a UK wide mail service. Protestants would be the majority.
Comment by steven-patterson at 10/03/2025 at 18:29 UTC
-6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
i didnt listen to the nolan show today sorry maybe someone else that did can chime in though