Pros
Very Competitive wages with brilliant optional overtime (I doubled my wage with overtime). Wage Enhancements are amazing I.e triple your hourly rate on Boxing Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Work life balance is brilliant with the company being very mindful of employee wellbeing with amazing employee support. Mental health is well catered for. Once you have your foot in the door the world is your oyster as far as changing roles internally. The union RMT has a very strong presence within NR and annual negotiations are agreed between RMT and the executive board. Trying to get on training courses is very easy as long as it can be justified. Most colleagues are enjoyable to work with although some are grumpy. PPE is really good quality stuff. NR is very dedicated to helping the Environment and wildlife and local communities such as schools, with many voluntary schemes which is really rewarding.
Cons
You work out on track in a dangerous environment which is made safe if you follow procedures and if you don’t feel safe no one will judge you for speaking up. Some management can be a bit difficult but most of them are genuinely decent. You work out in all weathers including sub zero freezing temperatures and heavy rain. Salary Sacrifice is a bit basic You will work a lot of nightshifts and weekends, regularly work bank holidays and Christmas Day but they are worth it for the wage enhancements. Some procedures are questionable and confusing and feel forced upon people such as 019 Standard, and seem as though they are created by people who have never worked on the Railway. The job can be stressful though rarely.
