The Postal Service cited the conversion of some 190,000 “pre-career” employees to career status. Image: Karolis Kavolelis/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffA status report on the USPS Delivering for America initiative says the program has stabilized the workforce and has improved hiring, career development and working conditions.
“The organization aims to create a stable and empowered workforce through retention, improved employee experience, workforce development, and succession planning. We continue to fill supervisory vacancies and modernize the hiring process. Enhancements to the employee experience involve improving orientation, and better engaging employees during their first 90 days on the job,” says the report, issued at about the one-third mark of that 10-year plan.
It cites developments including the conversion of some 190,000 “pre-career” employees to career status and reductions in supervisory vacancies from 15 percent to 6.4 percent over 2021-2024.
“We invested in employee recruitment, retention and skill development, while also defining clear career paths and promoting diversity. We invested in facilities to make our workplaces safer, more engaging spaces to work, and deployed new training for field supervisors and managers to create an engaging environment for employees,” it says, adding that “many of our employees are now driving new vehicles, working in refurbished facilities, and using latest in processing equipment.”
Moving forward, it says, “Long-term career paths and development opportunities will be enhanced to prepare for our rising expectations, while a robust succession planning program will prepare aspiring candidates for critical roles. Front-line supervisors will receive better training, tools, and support, with an expanded apprenticeship program to build a strong supervisory bench.
“The organization will promote diversity through the Executive Diversity Council and integrate diversity practices into employee programs. We will prioritize employee safety and wellbeing through effective safety programs, risk management, and improved support systems, ensuring a safer and healthier work environment,” it says.
The report also addresses organizational and operational changes made under the initiative.
Revenues were above projections in the first two years of the Postal Service’s “Delivering for America” program, but costs were higher as well, including those related to employees, an inspector general audit said this summer. The report came just as the USPS put a general pause, under pressure from Congress and postal regulators, on a key element of that plan involving consolidating and moving work in its processing and delivery network.
The IG also concluded recently that revenues were above projections in the first two years of the Postal Service’s “Delivering for America” program, but costs were higher as well, including those related to employees.
Another follow on report cited declines in Postal Service employee “availability”—the share of scheduled working hours that they are on the job versus on some type of leave. That audit that called on management to tighten time and attendance controls.
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