Worried

[smm13]

Ok so I'm a new RCA and I have a route that been taking me awhile to finish. So at my PO I have the longest route and it literally does takes me awhile with all the parcels I get. So I'm worried i'm going to get fired because I'm not making it back on time. Everyone that works there tells me it's not you it's that route no one like that route it's a hard route, but my post master he's telling that he's not going to fire me but when my supervisor talks to me it sounds like I'm going get fired she said they can't keep sending because I guess the people that higher up keep asking questions or something she said and, tomorrow I was supposed to work but she told not to come in because someone else was going to do it. I don't know what to do I really do enjoy this job but that route I have is the worst it, sucks that they put me on this route as a new rca, but they have also told me that they where going to put me in a shorter route which I hope happens but like I said I feel like I'm getting mixed signals I just don't want to get fired or anything.

 

[btdtret]

smm13 -- "my supervisor talks to me it sounds like I’m going get fired"

--  That's manglement way of "encouraging" carriers to work harder and faster, which usually leads to more mistakes, or worse, accidents.   And is also manglement's expectations that their threats somehow enable a new RCA to miraculously acquire years of knowledge on how to run a route, be it the smallest or largest in the office.

--  The USPS already has spent probably $8,000 to get you from the streets onto a rural route.   Most businesses would not be willing to throw that out the window by firing a new person.

" I feel like I’m getting mixed signals"

--  Postal manglement thrives on mixed signals.   Repetition, repetition, and you guessed it, more repetition is the only way to get proficient in running a route -- any route.

--  Give the USPS an honest effort in your work.   They have spent time and money to you running a route.   Let local manglement worry about answering to the higher ups at District.

--  Manglement can fire you for any old reason they can come up with during your probationary period ( 90 work days or 1 calendar year, which ever come first ).   Do the job by the book so you don't give manglement a reason to fire you.

--  Don't be afraid to ask questions of your co-workers.   Ask them to observe your in-office work and point out ways to work more efficiently.   Ask how / watch as they set up their vehicle - LLV or POV - for delivering on the streets.

--  When ever manglement comes around to bother / hassle you at your case -- ask them how to improve your work methods.   ( after all, most supervisors will be glad to tell you what great carriers they once were -- just don't ask them why they became supervisors. )

--  Hang in there.   The more often you work the faster the time will come when things just "click" and you feel comfortable with the job.  Don't worry about matching the time your regular does the route.   No doubt the regular has been doing it for years, whereas you have been on the job for weeks or months.

 

[wolfound]

I agree with the king of great advice. Ask others for their advice on how they develop their systems. Their systems may not be right for you but you can take bits and pieces of each one and make them into your own. I learned in the beginning of my RCAness ,  I could be fast or efficient but not both at the same time. Just breathe and do the best job you can! eventually it will all fall into place and make sense. It's a whole lot to remember in the beginning. The more stress you you put on yourself more mistakes are going to make. try and do it at the pace you feel comfortable with. Undoubtedly your stupid visor has to answer to the p.m. just take what she says with a grain of salt. don't let her push you into a corner of stress and self-doubt trying to play beat the clock to satisfy her.  it will come to you and it will get easier. Remember who you work for, you don't work for her,  you work for the customers to whom you deliver mail. Keep them happy and you'll have no problems in your career.