Royal Mail is recruiting almost 22,000 temporary workers, including 485 mail sorters in Northern Ireland, for the extra parcels and mail it expects over Christmas. The seasonal roles run from late October to early January 2027, covering Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with extra work peaking in December.
At a glance
- What changes
- Almost 22,000 temporary Royal Mail workers
- Northern Ireland
- 485 mail sorting jobs
- From
- Late October to early January 2027
- Extra work peaks
- December
On this page
Extra staff for Christmas parcels
Royal Mail says it expects extra parcels and mail over the festive period. Its temporary workers will transport, sort and deliver that additional volume.
The Northern Ireland roles are mail sorting jobs.
Parcelforce Worldwide is also recruiting additional drivers and indoor workers.
Where the sorting jobs are
Royal Mail lists sorting roles across Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. England has the largest allocation in the figures it gives.
| Location | Sorting jobs |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 485 |
| England | 12,500 |
| Scotland | 1,243 |
| Wales | 355 |
When the extra work peaks
The seasonal employment period starts in late October and continues into early January 2027. Royal Mail says the extra work covers Black Friday and Cyber Monday and peaks in December.
Use December as the peak period for Royal Mail’s additional seasonal work when organising your Christmas parcel sending. For postage options from Ireland, compare prices for your parcel’s weight on the Northern Ireland route or the United Kingdom route.
Royal Mail’s parcel locations
Royal Mail says it has around 30,000 parcel locations. Its network includes lockers, Royal Mail Shops and Post Office branches.
- 3,300 lockers
- 8,500 Royal Mail Shops
- 11,500 Post Office branches
Questions
How many Royal Mail Christmas sorting jobs are in Northern Ireland?
Royal Mail is recruiting for 485 mail sorting jobs in Northern Ireland as part of its festive recruitment.
When do Royal Mail Christmas jobs run?
The seasonal roles run from late October to early January 2027.
When does the additional seasonal work peak?
Royal Mail says the extra work peaks in December. Its seasonal recruitment also covers Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Sources
- Royal Mail (primary source): Royal Mail to hire 22,000 temporary workers to help deliver Christmas, read 24 September 2026
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PostCompare news desk
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