Find Your Branch

So Much Data, So Little Time!

So Much Data, So Little Time!
By Dee Perez
NAPS New York Area Vice President

Analytics is the systematic, computational analysis of data or statistics. Welcome to the new Postal Service glass house in which you work. However, to be fair, every industry—such as the USPS, a Fortune 500 company, casinos and the sports world—uses data and analytics to measure performance.

As inquisitive creatures are by nature, technology has made this possible. Analytics will continue to be a part of our society and work lives. I happen to like data and analytics; they help me understand my strengths and weaknesses.

The problem is the Postal Service wants you to master not only analytics, but also people and time management—all at the same time. With so many different daily tasks and responsibilities, the USPS deems them all a daily priority. The agency literally has you spinning like a top because everything is a priority and when it happens, then nothing is a priority.

Let’s be 100% honest: Humans adapt to changes in their environment at home, work and in their relationships. EAS employees’ struggles brought to my attention are common. The USPS wants everything done every day, but it doesn’t account for all the other variables in your day or life.

The USPS honestly believes you have zero distractions and 100% of your day is focused on the business of the agency. To the credit of every EAS employee, you’re trying to comply with these daily expectations. I know this to be true because I read your emails and listen to your phone calls.

Doesn’t it feel as if there are 1,000 USPS Headquarters analysts for every 100 jobs? The disconnect is with USPS Headquarters’ drill-down Zoom meetings taking place in every area or whoever is writing their tactical scripts. They refuse to accept you can have a bad day or week or forget to do something. They accept zero reasons and don’t want to hear any reasonable explanations.

They are the ultimate “yes” people. No service or company can survive with only “yes” people in charge. The truth and facts must be accepted for what they are.

These USPS Headquarters Zoom meetings have become very unpopular throughout the country. If everyone was provided with needed staffing, you wouldn’t need these Zoom meetings; it’s that simple. I suggest eliminating Headquarters Zoom meetings and instead have Headquarters email you their questions a day or two in advance. Then, the postmaster, manager or plant manager provides the answer. It would be less stressful with no dignity and respect concerns.

Currently, EAS employees on the front lines are overwhelmed with verifying and interpreting data, reading reports and monitoring SOPs/processes for employees, seven days a week, while trying to answer an overwhelming number of daily emails coming from virtually every department, all while managing human beings. Then, having to spend an hour or more in Zoom meetings every day while balancing how to deal with customers on the phone or in person at the window.

If these Zoom meetings were eliminated, EAS employees would have more time to decipher what is needed in response to all the emails. After all, EAS employees are not robots; neither are the people they manage seven days a week!

Just a reminder, NAPS members: Boots on the ground. Start to deputize trusted NAPS branch members and train them to be sponsors so they can begin signing postmasters and supervisors to the largest USPS management association. Most branches have many nonmember Level-17s and postmasters. Start to call these folks and bring them into the NAPS family, please.