Maybe you’ve just been hired as a full time letter carrier, or maybe you’re starting off as a CCA. No matter the circumstance, starting a new job is always stressful, especially when you’re carrying the mail. We’ve got some tips for new employees that will help you get situated at your new job.
Stick with it. The job is going to be much harder than you are expecting. You will be faced with high expectations, bad weather, rude customers, dogs, confusing routes, and more. It would be easy to give up, but if you stick with the job, you will eventually get used to all of these things. You’ll learn how to deal with the weather and dogs, ignore rude customers, and your routes will become less confusing. This is something that simply comes from experience.
Don’t complain. If you are new to the work, it is likely you will want to complain quite a lot, about how exhausting the job is, the dogs you have to watch for, and the weather. But your new co-workers have gone through it all before, and deal with it on a daily basis. Just remember this was part of the package when you accepted the job. Having a good attitude about it can make your time working much more pleasant.
Take extra care when delivering in darkness. There are many dangers that come with night delivery, and you will likely face them. The most dangerous thing you have to watch out for is injury due to a lack of visibility. This may be because you fail to see obstacles or obstacles, such as vehicles, fail to see you. Be very careful when walking across lawns, on stairs, and in the street. While attacks on letter carriers are not common, criminal activity is more likely to occur at night, so be cautious.
Take extra care if you work in an area with high crime. An attack on you would be a federal offense. Just because you work in a high crime area doesn’t mean you are going to be attacked. But you could be targeted for mail, packages, or even your vehicle. Park your vehicle in a high traffic area, and keep it locked. Just keep your eyes open for suspicious behavior. Don’t be afraid to report it if you feel unsafe.
Remember you do not have to deliver the mail if it is not safe. If there is ice on the stairs, a loose dog running around, or other hazardous conditions, you should not risk injury to deliver the mail. Fill out the appropriate paperwork to indicate the problem.
Take care of yourself in all types of weather. We’re sure you’ve already looked for advice about delivering mail in the rain or snow, but don’t forget about other types of weather. Working in the sun all day doesn’t have the potential to lead only to sunburn, but skin cancer. Take care to apply sunscreen, and take other precautions as necessary to stay safe in all types of conditions.
These are just a few tips to help prepare you for your new career. We hope that we’re able to help, and that you find the job to be fulfilling and rewarding!
