b) do they get 50p for each attempt at delivery or just 50p no matter what?
50p for an actual delivery ie left at premises.
My son was with hermes (same mob, different name AIUI). He was told on starting to leave "safe" if no answer (they did ring/knock then). Or by the door if nowhere "safe". That was fine until someone reported a non delivery - so one of lied to get a refund/a second item sent/it was stolen. My son was then told he had to deliver into hands, cant leave. Then he was bringing back home 2/3rds of his parcels - cos pre covid of course "everybody" travelled to a workplace and no one was at home. If the parcel was returned to depot, it wasn't delivered and no 50p delivery. His car and our shed just slowly filled with parcels he couldn't ever find people in to deliver to - we tried evening runs as well .
Some days he would spend 7-8 hours on a run and earn under a fiver.
In the end his car died and he had to just stop overnight. The whole thing destroyed him. I was quietly pleased he didnt have to work for them any longer because it was a rubbish way to earn a living and frankly untenable. Some days he was paying to deliver people's parcels in effect.
Then of course lockdown/covid happened and now the approach was cant knock/ring 'cos cant risk meeting people so it became the norm to just leave and let the your-parcel-has-arrived messages do the "knocking". Post lockdown that remained the status quo.
And as per the quote when they are paid 50p per delivery it helps the day go more efficiently for the delivers. And who can blame them?
Or we could all pay an extra fiver per delivery charge so the drivers can earn a proper income I suppose. Nah - didnt think that would be too popular.