Pick and Pack Jobs: Your First Day Survival Guide

Your first day in a pick and pack role can feel overwhelming — a huge warehouse, unfamiliar equipment, and targets to hit. But the reality is that most people get the hang of it within a few hours, and feel comfortable by the end of the first week. Here is what to expect.

Before You Arrive

What to wear:

• Steel toecap boots or safety trainers — most warehouses require these. If you do not own a pair, buy some before your first day (£25-40 from Screwfix or similar)
• Comfortable trousers — not jeans in food warehouses (contamination rules). Work trousers or joggers are usually fine
• Layers — warehouses can be cold in winter, warm in summer
• No jewellery in food warehouses (rings, watches, earrings)

What to bring:

• Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
• Packed lunch and water bottle — canteens can be expensive and break times short
• A pen — you will fill in forms during induction
• Your bank details for payroll setup
• A padlock if you have been told lockers are available

The Induction

Expect the first 1 to 3 hours to be induction:

• Health and safety briefing (fire exits, first aiders, accident reporting)
• Tour of the warehouse — picking areas, packing stations, break room, toilets
• Introduction to the WMS (Warehouse Management System) and your scanner
• A buddy or trainer will show you the basics of your role
• Paperwork — contracts, right-to-work documents, emergency contacts

Picking: What to Expect

Your scanner or voice headset will guide you to locations in the warehouse. At each location, you pick the specified quantity and confirm it (scan, voice command, or button press). Key tips:

• Read the location code carefully — Bay, Row, Level, Position
• Check the product matches the description on your scanner
• If something looks wrong (empty location, wrong product), flag it rather than guessing
• Speed comes naturally with familiarity — do not panic about targets on day one

Realistic Expectations

• You will be slow on day one — everyone is. Employers expect this
• Your feet and legs will ache — this goes away after a week
• You might feel lost in a large warehouse — carry a site map if available
• Mistakes happen — report them, learn from them, and move on
• Most people hit target pick rates by days 3 to 5

Break Times

Breaks are usually strictly timed in warehouses. A typical 8-hour shift includes a 30-minute lunch break (unpaid) and one or two 15-minute paid breaks. When the buzzer goes, stop what you are doing and go — you need those breaks.