How to use the online alarm clock
As you finish the handover and leave, set the alarm for 12:01 am so the Royal Mail sorting centre can be opened without relying on someone watching the clock. That gives the next shift a clear cue just after midnight, while 1:00 am remains a useful checkpoint for confirming that the first hour’s work is under way.
Once the Royal Mail opening arrangements are settled, keep this alarm page available in the browser while you move to whatever paperwork remains. A page sent into the background can be slowed by browser power-saving controls, so leave its sound enabled and check that the alarm still shows as active before walking away. The sorting centre will receive no alert from this alarm if the page is closed or the computer goes to sleep, so a separate clock is sensible when nobody will remain nearby.
Leaving the centre shortly after midnight can mean stepping from a warm work area into much cooler outdoor air, even when the building has felt stuffy. If the air conditioning has been running hard, keep a light layer close to the exit rather than buried in a locker. During warmer spells, lower the cooling gradually before departure so the remaining staff are not left with an unnecessarily cold workspace at 12:01 am.
Common questions
What happens if my laptop goes to sleep before 12:01 am?
The tab sleeps along with it and the alarm will not sound on time, if at all. If you are relying on it, change the power settings so the machine stays awake, or keep a phone alarm running as well.
Do I need an account or an app?
Neither. Choose a time and a sound, press Start, and it runs in this browser tab. Nothing is downloaded, nothing is registered, and closing the page leaves nothing behind on the device.
Can I change the sound?
Yes, there is a short list of tones to pick from before you press Start. Softer sounds are easy to sleep through, so a firmer bell tends to be the safer choice for anything early in the morning.
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
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