The question was, did An Post Management expect Post persons that  had reached their late fifties and early sixties to do the same amount of work on delivery as people in their mid  twenties and early thirties? The official’s reply was that all age groups would be expected to do the same amount of work on delivery.

The postperson who asked the question then made an observation that you would not expect a person in their late fifties or early sixies to run the one hundred metres or the mile as fast as a person in their mid twenties or early thirties. the officials reply was that everyone would be expected to do the same amount on delivery.

Recently I came across a copy of Leabhar Eolais 2 Instructions (rule Book) to Postmasters and Supervising Officers December 1972, which states clearly and I quote:

"Points to be taken into consideration in fixing the limits for a rural cycle post

[1]   The weight and bulk  of the load to carried on the outward as well as the inward journey

[2]the distance travelled from the starting point before the load is materially reduced or with the maxium load on the return journey.

[3] the nature of the route traversed.

[4] any other special circumstances, E. G. the age and physical capacity of the Postman."

Firstly, has section 4 been changed and if so, when did this change occur? If it hasn't been changed, The officials  statement is incorrect. As health and safety regulations today are much more stringent then the regulations of the 70's, surely this matter needs to be addressed by the Health and Safety Officer in An Post as the failure to rectify this issue could lead to claims being made against An Post in the future.

To demonstrate the wisdom of section 4, I enclose below an analysis of the average finishing times of the first three runners in each age category in the 2008 London Marathon.

The fastest times betwen 2 hours five minutes and 2 hrs ten minutes are all run by athletes between 25 and 35 years of age. From 35 years of age onwards there is a clear decline in times as athletes suffer the effects of aging.

This clearly demonstrates that the most powerful years for humans are between 25 and 35 years of age and the decline in physical capacity from the thirties onwards. Why would post-persons be any different?

Elderly Postperson