Who We Are – Veesh

Throughout the pandemic, HR business partner, Veesh Rathod has been supporting our Fleet workshop managers, deal with Covid-19-related absences and ensuring colleagues who have had to take time off, receive the proper support they need.

Our Who We Are campaign celebrates our key workers - connecting communities, before and during the Covid-19 pandemic – and beyond as well. We’re recognising people at the heart of our business, across the pipeline, as they describe who they are in their own words.

We want to receive nominations from around the Group for deserving colleagues to be recognised in this way. Send yours to communications@royalmail.com.

Veesh started working for Royal Mail as a 16-year-old flexible worker at Leicester Mail Centre. He then became a weekend OPG and moved to South Midlands Mail Centre for two years whilst studying. Following the completion of his studies, Veesh successfully applied for a role in HR Services (Advice and Support) in Sheffield.

‘Since 2018, I’ve been the HR business partner for Fleet, which is a unique function of the business focusing on vehicles rather than parcels and letters,’ he said. ‘I love my role as it pushes me to learn more, keeps me resilient, and gives me the opportunity to work alongside some extremely talented colleagues across Operations and Fleet.

‘Since Covid-19 arrived, I’ve worked closely with a number of outstanding Fleet workshop managers to continue engagement across the division. We’ve worked hard on ensuring conversations with absent colleagues are maintained, people’s mental health is considered and supported, and everyone has a voice and the opportunity to raise questions or feedback in socially-distanced team huddles. We’ve also set up WhatsApp groups to ensure managers have been able to keep in contact with colleagues when travelling between different units.

‘We trialled peer-to-peer recognition cards at the North West Hub service centre, which have been fantastic in increasing morale in the workshops as well as promoting some healthy competition as to who can get the most nominations! I’ve also had the privilege to work closely with some of our newer managers within Fleet and focus on their development and capabilities. It has been incredible to see the levels of commitment and increased capability when managers are given the autonomy to lead during a such a difficult time.

‘I can honestly say that I am very proud to work for Royal Mail. As a business, we have gone above and beyond to keep our people, workplaces and communities as safe as possible. To hear feedback of increased morale and to personally notice teams growing in confidence and knowledge is extremely rewarding as an HR business partner.

‘Royal Mail has always been in our house. My father has worked for the business for more than 35 years, while I’ve been here for 13 years. Ever since I was a kid, we’ve always known our local postman or woman. Everyone in my family still knows theirs and takes the time to ask how they’re doing. It helps to create a sense that we’re just one big family.

‘What this pandemic has shown us and from what I’ve seen over the past eight or nine months, is how well we have worked together as a team. We’ve had to adapt in so many different ways but working together and being able to effectively communicate with each other has absolutely been one of the ways we have got things done. We’re all in this together. It gives me a lot of pride to step up during this unprecedented time - that’s just who we are.’

Click here to catch Veesh, along with some of our other Who We Are nominees on the latest RMtv.