More than three dozen Postal Service workers recently experienced a day in the life of their district leaders.
The 45 Greater Indiana District employees were selected to each spend a day learning postal operations from a manager’s perspective. The employees received the opportunity after winning a drawing that drew 500 entries at a recent district career conference.
“I now have a better understanding of where the numbers and figures come from,” said Indianapolis Retail Associate Kym Wharton, who “shadowed” Acting Finance Manager Todd Mansker. “Visiting the different departments and meeting the people made the picture a little clearer for me.”
Mansker said he appreciated the opportunity to show Wharton how their departments work together. “It was a great experience for me as well,” he said.
The district’s “shadow day” is part of the Postal Service’s broader emphasis on professional development. These efforts also include a program that allows USPS newcomers to learn the ropes from seasoned employees.
Diane Taylor, an Indianapolis plant clerk who spent a day with Operations Programs Support Manager Dale Sparks, said other employees would benefit from shadowing opportunities.
“It was a great opportunity for employees like myself to learn the ins and outs of the company — to pull together what we [have to] do with the bigger picture,” she said.