Retail and delivery operations management increased the workforce prior to peak season which reduced the reliance on peak hires. Image: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe Postal Service met most of its performance goals during the 2023 peak mailing season—October through December—in which it exceeded its projections for adding employees, an inspector general audit has said.
Facilities overall did not meet their planned operational schedule goals, but the USPS “successfully forecasted mail volumes, assigned transportation, and decreased late and canceled trips,” although there was an increase in extra trips. “In retail and delivery operations, customer inquiries overall decreased and retail measurements were relatively flat.”
First-Class, marketing and periodical mail volumes decreased by 12.1 percent over 2023, it said, while package volume increased by an amount that was redacted from the report.
While the USPS had planned to lease nine additional facilities, it leased only seven due to lack of available suitable space in two markets; however, “management stated they reassessed needs and determined they could operate without those additional spaces.”
In contrast, the Postal Service hired some 12,300 additional employees, above the plan for 6,800. “The additional hiring was not an indication of poor planning; the number of employees hired during peak season included pre-career employees, which are not considered seasonal hires. In addition, there was a need to hire additional employees at some facilities to perform work that was previously done by contract employees, resulting in an increased demand for pre-career hires,” it said.
“Retail and delivery operations management increased the workforce prior to peak season which reduced the reliance on peak hires. Peak season positions are difficult to fill due to contractual restrictions,” it added.
Management agreed with a recommendation to evaluate processes to identify opportunities for improvement in the upcoming peak season.
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