Chapter 5: Performance Trends and 2009 Goals
Safety
|
2004 |
2005 Actual |
2006 Actual |
2007 Actual |
2008 Plan |
2008 Actual |
2009 |
Illness and Injuries per 100 Full-Time Employees |
6.6 |
5.7 |
5.6 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.4 |
0.1 percent better than end of 2008 |
Source: Postal Service Safety and Environmental Performance Management
Employee Satisfaction
The Postal Service tracks employee attitudes using an index of six questions from its Voice of the Employee (VOE) survey, which is managed by an independent third party. Every employee has the opportunity to respond during the course of the year, and response rates are high — over 60 percent. The index measures employee perceptions of recognition, accountability, harassment and discrimination, organizational communication, and being treated with dignity and respect. The stability of the index is notable as the challenging business environment places enormous pressure on all employees.
Voice of the Employee Survey Index
|
2004 |
2005 Actual |
2006 Actual |
2007 Actual |
2008 Plan |
2008 |
2009 Plan |
VOE Survey |
62.1 |
63.7 |
63.4 |
63.5 |
63.6 |
63.7 |
0.1 Better than end of 2008 |
Source: Postal Service Human Resources
The VOE survey has been adapted to reflect industry best practices. While many of the questions are very similar to the previous study, the enhanced survey will enable a better assessment of efforts to effectively include all employees in achieving strategic objectives, especially the Postal Service’s vision of creating a customer-focused culture.
In 2007 the Postal Service began to track the rate of formal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints. The rate was 0.8 per 100 employees in 2007 and was unchanged in 2008.
Future Performance Measures
Vision 2013, the Postal Service’s five-year strategic plan, available at usps.com/strategicplanning/vision2013, describes the Postal Service’s approach for keeping its products and services relevant and viable for future generations by addressing the needs of a changing market. This document includes a number of initiatives to improve service, generate revenue, and engage employees. New measures will be developed and deployed at different levels of the organization, while existing measures will continue to be adapted to manage performance and achievement of these goals.