Royal Mail faces staffing crisis at Northwich delivery office

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

A Royal Mail postie claims staffing shortages at Northwich are causing delivery delays and impossible workloads.

A postal worker at Royal Mail's Northwich delivery office has alleged serious staffing shortages are causing delivery delays and low morale, with knock-on effects for customers. The employee claims vacancies, holidays and sickness absences are often left uncovered, leading to backlogs. According to the postie, some customers have experienced mail arriving days or even weeks late when staffing gaps are not filled.

The worker also claimed overtime opportunities have been restricted, making it impossible to complete daily delivery rounds, and alleged workloads on some rounds are unachievable. Royal Mail rejected the overtime claim, stating there is 'no restriction on overtime, and it is used in line with business need'. The company acknowledged it is aware of issues on certain routes and said the management team is reviewing workloads 'to ensure fairness'.

Royal Mail confirmed that staffing challenges, mostly due to high sickness absence rates, meant some customers received deliveries every other day in the last two weeks. The company said its recent rollout of a new delivery model in Northwich had 'significantly improved' service levels overall, and that recruitment is underway to address staffing gaps.

How it is being reported

• Postie whistleblower blasts Royal Mail over impossible workload and delivery delaysRoyal Mail said it is aware of issues on certain routes out of its Northwich delivery office, and management is currently reviewing workloads.Chester Standard · 13 Oct, 07:00
• Postie whistleblower blasts Royal Mail over impossible workload and delivery delaysRoyal Mail said it is aware of issues on certain routes out of its Northwich delivery office, and management is currently reviewing workloads.Northwich Guardian · 12 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Royal Mail · Northwich

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