Voice of the people

The North West Midlands Mail Centre in Wolverhampton played host to 40 colleagues from across the country for the first People Panel of 2019.

Held across the year and around the country, the panel is part of our ongoing conversation about what it's like to work at Royal Mail.

It's an opportunity to gauge colleague opinion on everything from our people's uniforms to business strategy, while listening to concerns about a wide range of workplace issues.

Volunteers began with a session on the recent Employee Survey and the trial of an online version, which we ran this year at a small number of sites. Panellists were given the opportunity to test the tool themselves, and share their opinions. The panel was also treated to a sneak preview of three new videos on our values.

Other sessions during the day included: Diversity and Inclusion Week, why being inclusive is good for everyone and how we can support even more for 2019; a toolkit to help managers and teams establish trusting relationships when they move sites, and how best to recognise a job well done.

OPG Mike Anderton, from Bristol Mail Centre, said: 'On the People Panel you really get a chance to have a wide discussion about the things that matter within Royal Mail, especially people issues.

‘Those discussions are relevant because people issues are key to how the organisation works and need to be kept on the radar.'

Steven Dadral, work area manager, North West Midlands Mail Centre, said: ‘There’s a lot of openness and honesty here, which is a good thing.

'You find out how people in different areas perceive things. It’s great to hear what other mail centres are doing differently.'