Postal Service management did not effectively manage detail assignments in which career employees are placed in another established position that is vacant or from which the incumbent is absent from duty, the USPS inspector general has said.
It said detail assignments are supposed to be made only for the shortest period of time necessary and may be used to meet emergencies caused by an abnormal workload, a change in mission or organization, or unanticipated absences.
However, the Postal Service did not ensure compliance with detail assignment policies and was unable to identify who was on detail and the associated costs, and it did not have consistent polices for detail assignment justifications and approvals, the IG said.
It said that as a result, the Postal Service spends about $34 million annually on travel for detail assignments that are not properly supported.
Without centralized oversight of detail assignments, it is difficult to determine if assignments are justified and approved properly and evaluate the costs and benefits associated with detail assignments, the IG said.
It called on the USPS to assign the responsibility for managing detail assignments and associated travel costs to the appropriate functional area, as well as to consolidate detail assignment policies into one manual to ensure consistency.
