During orientation and training, I heard a lot of negative about the USPS: about the management being abusive and unfair; about how hard the job is; about the crazy hours at certain times of year; and that some POs have toxic work environments.
I heard bad things about other POs, such as how the mail truck would come so late that carriers would be sent out on their routes and, when the mail was ready, they'd have to return to the office, prep the mail and start all over again, resulting in getting home quite late.
I also heard complaints (before CoViD-19) that many carriers didn't get time off, especially the CCAs, who are basically non-career employees who get few benefits.
One bad thing about the USPS is that if you're not a good fit for a position, it's almost impossible to transfer to another one. You have to apply for another position and, if you get it, you're essentially fired from your position to start the new one. This means that you're on probation and lose your seniority.
Customer service is minimized and speed, security, safety and efficiency are all that really matter to management.
I saw several of the older carriers hobbling around after so many years of the hard work we do, and long-term carriers told me that conditions at the USPS had gotten worse over the years, which surprised me because of the several unions for the USPS.
The speed expectations are very tough to achieve and very tough on the body. It can take up to a year to get up to speed, during which you'll experience pressure from your supervisor and postmaster. You'll also be told not to use tools you're given because they slow you down.
Most vehicles are NOT air-conditioned and become extremely hot, causing subtle dehydration as you're driving.
Walking a route causes quick dehydration.
If you're an excessive sweater or very sensitive to heat, being a carrier is a bad idea.
If you have Reynaud's syndrome and live where the winter is cold enough to make it flare up, being a carrier is a bad idea.
The job may seem easy to observers, but it's actually a complicated and physically demanding job with very real risks (insect stings, animal bites especially canines, a foot falling into a hidden hole, scratches from thorny plants, angry customers and criminals, bad weather and temperature extremes, dehydration, freezing, etc.).
Hazard pay isn't awarded.
You may have to work very long hours for weeks on end without a day off.
During the months of Nov-Dec, you're likely to be out even longer and have even less time away from work.
In other words, there is generally not a good work-life balance.
Carriers no longer have the option of talking to isolated, lonely and elderly customers to the extent those people want and need - communication must be professional and fast. A lot of elderly people still remember the days when you could ask a mail carrier to chat for a while, and want that.
You are not allowed to receive more than a modest $ value of gifts, and only in certain forms, per year from customers. Accepting gifts can get you in trouble - even get you jailed.
If you can't do the job well, you may get forced out using lies, subtle bribery, squeeze tactics, and a generally uncaring attitude, which is what they're doing to me.
I was told again and again to not trust supervisors and above. I found it was true. My Postmaster has turned out to be a grade-A, uncaring and unethical punk.
In some POs, experienced carriers don't want to talk to or give advice to new CCAs because the turn-over rate is so high and fast.
Asking a supervisor or above for help improving your performance may not result in any action despite promises.
The way each Post Office is run is often radically different, sometimes in a very unpleasant and/or toxic way.
In some POs, certain employees create a toxic environment through behavior that clearly violates USPS and federal laws, such as racism, sexism and so on.
Delivering mail on a new route is often confusing.
You may get lost or misdeliver because of the same number being used on multiple streets.
Some streets, especially in certain places/cities/towns/villages are not marked.
Sometimes houses have no number, the number is inconspicuous or placed where you won't notice it (the opposite side of the mailbox when driving, in the front or middle of the yard while walking). In some areas, many houses don't have a number, and businesses can be even worse because they assume name fame.
Sometimes mailboxes are not placed where it makes sense, are behind the house, a fence or a bush, placed by the house when you're on a driving route or by the road when you're on a walking route. Some places have no mailbox or may have special instructions for delivery.
You don't get a lot of feedback sometimes (i.e. hearing nothing is good).
Some people may become dehydrated and not realize it, causing them to become a hazard to themselves and/or others.
Winter weather brings with it the risk of falling on ice, trudging through deep snow, frostbite, and long hours in the cold.
Wet weather can lead to chilblains and trench foot if you don't have proper rain gear like waterproof shoes/boots, but there isn't proper raingear that allows you to both protect yourself and your mail as well as it being visible to you, so you're either slowed down, forced to let the mail get wet, and/or you get wet.
If you see a dog or other pet and still try to deliver, resulting in being bitten, you'll be suspended.
The mail sorting machines are old and prone to making mistakes.
The traditional mail delivery vehicles are over 25 years old and have problems.
There's currently a lot of upheaval