What it’s like working at DHL
470 people shared what they think about working at DHL…
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Head office doesn’t understand the frontline
Do people think DHL head office understands what's happening where they work?
People think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work
How we know this
80% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they workBased on information from 420 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
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Not easy to change shifts
How easy is it for DHL workers to change shifts?
Most people find it hard to change shifts
How we know this
61% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need toBased on information from 221 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
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People don’t enjoy their job
Do people at DHL enjoy their jobs?
Most people don’t enjoy their job
How we know this
51% of people report they don’t enjoy their jobBased on information from 126 job reviews
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Hard to choose shifts
Do DHL workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work
How we know this
60% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they workBased on information from 356 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
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People feel stressed
Is it stressful to work at DHL?
Most people feel stressed here
How we know this
54% of people say they often feel stressed at workBased on information from 435 job reviews
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
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Not good for parents
Is working at DHL good if you have caring responsibilities?
Most people say this is a bad place to work if you care for a child or other relative
How we know this
52% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to workBased on information from 155 job reviews
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
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Breaks aren’t paid
Do workers at DHL get paid breaks?
Not always. Most people don’t get paid breaks
How we know this
61% of people say they don’t get paid breaksBased on information from 452 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
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No career progression
Are people given support to progress at DHL?
Only some people are given support to progress here
How we know this
In the last year, 60% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their roleBased on information from 419 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
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People don’t recommend their team
Do people at DHL recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team
How we know this
55% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friendBased on information from 467 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
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People don’t get sick pay
Do DHL pay sick pay?
Not always. Most people don’t get proper sick pay
How we know this
53% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to workBased on information from 421 job reviews
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at DHL?
Most people find it easy to book holidays
How we know this
66% of people report it’s easy to book holidaysBased on information from 426 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
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Easy to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at DHL?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How we know this
69% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sickBased on information from 383 job reviews
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Enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at DHL?
Most people get enough training when they start
How we know this
71% of people report they got enough training when they started working hereBased on information from 448 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
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People are paid market rates
Do DHL pay market rates?
Most people are paid market rates
How we know this
53% of people are paid average or more than the typical pay for the type of work they doBased on information from 337 job reviews
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
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People get proper breaks
Do people at DHL get proper breaks?
Most people get proper breaks
How we know this
74% of people report that they get to take proper breaksBased on information from 429 job reviews
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
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4+ weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at DHL?
Most people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
How we know this
- 24% report getting one week notice or less
- 3% report getting two weeks notice
- 1% report getting three weeks notice
- 28% report getting four weeks notice or more
- 43% report having a fixed rota
Based on information from 388 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
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Managers are respectful
Do people at DHL feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers
How we know this
61% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managersBased on information from 404 job reviews
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
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Well informed about head office
Do workers feel well informed about how DHL is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
How we know this
53% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a wholeBased on information from 417 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
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No short notice shift changes
Do DHL managers change shifts at short notice?
Managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice
How we know this
85% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minuteBased on information from 379 job reviews
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
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People are paid enough to live on
Do DHL pay enough to live on?
People are paid enough to live on
How we know this
90% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they liveBased on information from 415 job reviews
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The Real Living Wage is currently £9.50 per hour, and £10.85 per hour in London.
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Good for students
Is a DHL job good for students?
Students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying
How we know this
87% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studyingBased on information from 15 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.
Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.
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No unpaid extra work
Do workers at DHL do extra work that they don't get paid for?
No. People don’t do unpaid extra work
How we know this
82% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid workBased on information from 358 job reviews
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
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People don’t worry about getting enough hours
Do workers at DHL worry about hours?
People don’t worry about getting enough hours
How we know this
88% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hoursBased on information from 304 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
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DHL ranks 7th to work for in delivery company employers
Pay ranges at DHL
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£9.00–12.50 per hour
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£10.72–15.80 per hour
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£9.40–12.02 per hour
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£9.60–15.43 per hour
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£9.50–12.82 per hour
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Pay not available
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Pay not available
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Pay not available
DHL job reviews
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Best thing
Good to get experience if you wish to progress towards engineer or tco route.
On a dead day plane won’t be in for another few hours can chill or go to the terminal get food and what notWorst thing
You either hate this job or really love it there’s no in between.
Basic pay is 9.25 and you’re ruining your back each shift
Lack of communication
Last minute changes
Work as early as 5:30amDHL Employee, December 2021
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Best thing
The sense of a true team and friendship
Worst thing
Great stress and often minimal staff. Also they are not willing to take the people asking massive mistakes to one side to talk with them, they will send an email to everyone when it only needs sent to the person making the mistakes.
DHL Employee, January 2022
About
DHL is a courier company.
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Handy to know
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 388 DHL employees
What contracts are people on?
Based on 273 DHL employees
How are people paid?
Based on 470 DHL employees
Thinking of working at DHL?
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