Northern Rail
43 job reviews
Overview of Northern Rail
Northern Trains Ltd operates trains and stations in Northern England, as well as in the East Midlands and Staffordshire. They are publicly owned by the Department of Transport.
Pay
Featured job reviews
-
Best thing
Pay and conditions
ResponsibilityWorst thing
Weekend working
Conductor, August 2020 -
Best thing
time off
Worst thing
passengers missing trains and fatalities.
Conductor, August 2020
Northern Rail shifts and hours
-
This employer mostly uses part time contracts
This employer mostly uses part time contracts
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
- 100% report having part time contracts (16-35 hours)
Based on 16 employee responses
-
People work the same number of hours they’re contracted for
People work the same number of hours they’re contracted for
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
8% of people report working 8 hours or more than they’re contracted for each week
Based on 13 employee responses
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
-
People don’t worry about getting enough hours
People don’t worry about getting enough hours
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
0% of people report they worry about getting enough hours
Based on 23 employee responses
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.
-
People get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
People get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
- 17% report getting one week notice or less
- 0% report getting two weeks notice
- 2% report getting three weeks notice
- 81% report getting four weeks notice or more
Based on 42 employee responses
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.
-
Managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice
Managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
12% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute
Based on 42 employee responses
Excellent
-
People don't get enough choice over which shifts they work
People don't get enough choice over which shifts they work
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
19% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work
Based on 42 employee responses
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
-
Most people find it easy to change shifts
Most people find it easy to change shifts
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
68% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need to
Based on 25 employee responses
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.
This employer mostly uses part time contracts
This employer mostly uses part time contracts
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
- 100% report having part time contracts (16-35 hours)
Based on 16 employee responses
People work the same number of hours they’re contracted for
People work the same number of hours they’re contracted for
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
8% of people report working 8 hours or more than they’re contracted for each week
Based on 13 employee responses
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
People don’t worry about getting enough hours
People don’t worry about getting enough hours
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
0% of people report they worry about getting enough hours
Based on 23 employee responses
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.
People get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
People get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
- 17% report getting one week notice or less
- 0% report getting two weeks notice
- 2% report getting three weeks notice
- 81% report getting four weeks notice or more
Based on 42 employee responses
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.
Managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice
Managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
12% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute
Based on 42 employee responses
People don't get enough choice over which shifts they work
People don't get enough choice over which shifts they work
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
19% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work
Based on 42 employee responses
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Most people find it easy to change shifts
Most people find it easy to change shifts
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
68% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need to
Based on 25 employee responses
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.
Northern Rail benefits
-
People get proper breaks
People get proper breaks
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
97% of people report that they get to take proper breaks
Based on 35 employee responses
Excellent
-
People find it easy to take sick leave
People find it easy to take sick leave
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
94% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick
Based on 34 employee responses
Excellent
-
Most people find it easy to book holidays
Most people find it easy to book holidays
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
71% of people report it’s easy to book holidays
Based on 41 employee responses
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.
People get proper breaks
People get proper breaks
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
97% of people report that they get to take proper breaks
Based on 35 employee responses
People find it easy to take sick leave
People find it easy to take sick leave
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
94% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick
Based on 34 employee responses
Most people find it easy to book holidays
Most people find it easy to book holidays
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
71% of people report it’s easy to book holidays
Based on 41 employee responses
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.
Northern Rail teams and managers
-
People don’t feel stressed here
People don’t feel stressed here
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
21% of people say they often feel stressed at work
Based on 43 employee responses
Excellent
-
People recommend working with their team
People recommend working with their team
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
100% of people report that they would recommend working with their immediate team to a friend
Based on 14 employee responses
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.
-
People feel treated with respect by their managers
People feel treated with respect by their managers
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
90% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers
Based on 40 employee responses
Excellent
-
People say this is a good place to work if you care for a child or other relative
People say this is a good place to work if you care for a child or other relative
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
91% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to work
Based on 11 employee responses
Excellent
-
People get enough training when they start
People get enough training when they start
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
98% of people report they got enough training when they started working here
Based on 42 employee responses
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.
-
People think their workplace is safe
People think their workplace is safe
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
97% of people report that their workplace is safe
Based on 35 employee responses
Excellent
-
People are given support to progress here
People are given support to progress here
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
In the last year, 79% of people report 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 role
Based on 39 employee responses
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.
-
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
69% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole
Based on 39 employee responses
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.
-
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work
Close
What Northern Rail employees say
29% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work
Based on 35 employee responses
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.
People don’t feel stressed here
People don’t feel stressed here
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
21% of people say they often feel stressed at work
Based on 43 employee responses
People recommend working with their team
People recommend working with their team
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
100% of people report that they would recommend working with their immediate team to a friend
Based on 14 employee responses
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.
People feel treated with respect by their managers
People feel treated with respect by their managers
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
90% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers
Based on 40 employee responses
People say this is a good place to work if you care for a child or other relative
People say this is a good place to work if you care for a child or other relative
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
91% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to work
Based on 11 employee responses
People get enough training when they start
People get enough training when they start
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
98% of people report they got enough training when they started working here
Based on 42 employee responses
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.
People think their workplace is safe
People think their workplace is safe
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
97% of people report that their workplace is safe
Based on 35 employee responses
People are given support to progress here
People are given support to progress here
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
In the last year, 79% of people report 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 role
Based on 39 employee responses
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.
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
69% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole
Based on 39 employee responses
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.
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work
CloseWhat Northern Rail employees say
29% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work
Based on 35 employee responses
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.
Northern Rail ranks 3rd to work for in public transport employers
-
2
-
3
Northern Rail
-
4=