United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the U.S. government. They are responsible for delivering mail and packages.
usps.comRating based on 551 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz
About jobs at the United States Postal Service
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people get paid breaks
Do workers at the United States Postal Service get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
38% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 450 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
Good jobs pay you for your break time.
You should get paid for all the time you’re at work, even when you’re on break.
Good
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Most people get paid sick leave
Does the United States Postal Service give paid sick leave?
Yes. Most people get paid leave when they’re sick.
How we know this
71% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 501 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
Most US companies don’t have to pay you when you’re sick - only some states require it.
But we believe a good job should pay you when you can’t work because you’re sick. Everyone gets sick sometimes.
Good
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Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do workers at the United States Postal Service do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
80% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 517 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
You should be paid for all the work you do.
A good job pays you for every minute you spend working for your employer.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of work schedule
How far ahead of time do people find out their work schedule?
Most people find out their schedule less than four weeks ahead of time.
How we know this
- 87% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts one week or less ahead of time.
- 8% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts two weeks ahead of time.
- 2% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts three weeks ahead of time.
- 4% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts four weeks or more ahead of time.
Based on data from 352 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
We believe your workplace should tell you your schedule at least 4 weeks ahead of time.
You need to know when you’ll be working so you can plan your life and know how much money you’ll earn.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do workers at the United States Postal Service worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
76% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 512 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good employer should give you the hours you need each week.
You shouldn’t have to struggle or beg for work time.
Needs improving
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Most people can’t choose their shifts
Do the United States Postal Service workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people don’t get to choose which shifts they work.
How we know this
70% report that they don’t have enough control over which shifts they work.Based on data from 489 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Needs improving
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Hard to change shifts
How easy is it for the United States Postal Service workers to change shifts?
Most people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
75% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 341 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job works with your personal life.
It should be easy to change your schedule when you need to - both for emergencies and when you’re planning ahead.
Okay
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Can be hard to get time off
How easy is it to get time off at the United States Postal Service?
Some people find it hard to get time off.
How we know this
40% of people report it’s hard to get time off.Based on data from 476 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you use your vacation time when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a hassle to arrange.
Okay
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Schedules can get changed at the last minute
Do the United States Postal Service managers change schedules at the last minute?
Some managers change people’s schedules at the last minute.
How we know this
34% of people say their manager changes their shift schedule at the last minute.Based on data from 528 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
If your bosses keep changing your schedule at the last minute, that shows they aren’t planning well.
Good jobs don’t switch your hours around without warning.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at the United States Postal Service?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
39% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 502 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes.
You should be able to stay home when you need to get better.
A good job should make it easy to take sick time and have clear steps for letting them know you’re sick.
Needs improving
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Most students say it’s bad
Is a United States Postal Service job good for students?
Most students say this is a bad place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
73% of students report this isn’t a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Needs improving
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Most parents say it’s bad
Is working at the United States Postal Service good if you’re a parent or caregiver?
Most parents and caregivers say this is a bad place to work.
How we know this
74% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 198 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should understand when you need to take care of your kids or help sick family members. Your work should respect your family needs.
Benefits
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Good
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Part-time workers get health insurance
Do part-time workers at the United States Postal Service get health insurance?
Most people who work part-time get health insurance.
How we know this
74% of people who work fewer than 30 hours a week say they get health insurance.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone needs medical care sometimes, but it costs a lot.
We believe all workers should get health insurance, no matter how many hours they work or what kind of job they have.
Workplace
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Okay
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Only some people feel treated with respect
Do people at the United States Postal Service feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
53% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 469 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
Your boss should treat you with respect.
No one at work should bully you or treat you unfairly.
If you have a problem, you should be able to talk to someone else who can help.
Good
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Most people get breaks without interruption
Do people at the United States Postal Service get to take their breaks without interruption?
Most people get breaks without interruption.
How we know this
72% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.Based on data from 470 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. You should be able to do what you want to and not get pulled off it early.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed out
Is it stressful to work at the United States Postal Service?
Most people feel stressed out here.
How we know this
77% of people say they often feel stressed out at work.Based on data from 522 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
Work can be hard sometimes, but you shouldn’t feel stressed all the time.
Your boss should make sure there are enough people and resources to get the work done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do people at the United States Postal Service enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
39% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 445 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at the United States Postal Service recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
66% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 544 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
The people you work with every day are important. They can make the difference between a bad day and a good one.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at the United States Postal Service?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
53% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 523 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should train you well from your first day, not just throw you into the deep end.
Nobody can do their job well without proper training at the start.
Okay
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Only some people get support to advance
Do people get support to advance at the United States Postal Service?
Only some people are given support to advance their career here.
How we know this
In the last year, 63% of people report not being given support to advance their career here.Based on data from 489 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you grow, if you want to.
This could mean getting better at your current job, learning new things, becoming a team leader, or taking on more duties.
This helps you build skills and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Headquarters doesn't understand what's happening
Do people think the United States Postal Service’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?
Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
92% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 523 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
In a good job, the people running the organisation should support the workers who do the hands-on work.
To do this well, they need to know what’s really happening at each location.
This is extra important when an organisation has many different sites.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t feel well informed by headquarters
Do workers feel well informed about how the United States Postal Service is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
71% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 494 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2024 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good employer shares news with all its workers.
You should know how your employer is doing - both the good news and the problems.
Managers should keep you updated about what’s happening.
How the United States Postal Service ranks
United States Postal Service ranks 26th to work for out of public sector bodies.
- 25 United States Navy
- 26 United States Postal Service
- 27= United States Army
Rankings are based on Breakroom Ratings for employers with 30 or more Breakroom Quiz responses, accurate as of 10 February 2025.
United States Postal Service job reviews
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Best thing
I get to work alone, I get a lot of sick and vacation days, have benefits (even though it's expensive)
Worst thing
Working in all elements (rain, snow, tornadoes, hurricanes, extreme heat and cold), don't get paid enough money ( they gutted pur pay, benefits, and pensions), the micromanagement by people who don't know anything about my job.
United States Postal Service Mail Carrier, January 2025
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Best thing
Most of the day you are by yourself.
Worst thing
Working outside most of the day in the north east United States in all weather conditions. Dog attacks, ignorant people on the regular basis. Many miles every day while carrying 10 through 40 pounds at a time. Bad footwear, that you’re obligated to have on.
United States Postal Service Carrier, January 2025
Handy to know
How are people paid?
Based on 546 United States Postal Service employees
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 352 United States Postal Service employees