EMPLOYEES ARE ABOUT TO GO POSTAL
By Liz Gunn || A few weeks ago my doorbell rang on a Sunday afternoon and it startled me. It’s 2014 – people don’t just drop by your house unannounced. I was sure it was a neighborhood kid selling something or a Jehovah’s Witness, both of which I was preparing myself to handle in two very different manners.
By the time I got to the door though, there was no one there. Much to my surprise there was a package at my doorstep that I had ordered from Amazon two days prior. I wasn’t expecting to get it until Monday, because since when does the post office deliver things on Sunday? Well, apparently for several months now in some places.
The partnership was inked over a year ago, with major city roll-outs beginning last summer. It has expanded much more quickly than anticipated, likely due to the overwhelming popularity and our society’s tendency to procrastinate coupled with a complete lack of patience.
Now that the holiday shipping season is in full swing, postal workers are feeling overwhelmed. Some claim to be working 60 plus hours a week, some for up to 18 days straight. While I admit that sounds downright miserable, since when did hourly employees (roughly $15.60 an hour for the average mail carrier) complain about having too much work? In this economy, in this job market – shouldn’t they be jumping for joy?
December has always been a busy month for me, in regards to work. I know it’s coming every year and I mentally prepare myself for long days and weekend work. It just is what it is. I would never complain about someone who is paying me giving me too much work.
The fact that we’re talking about the post office makes it that much more ironic. Just a year ago, Forbes reported that the USPS was on the verge of a financial collapse. Employees were fighting to keep Saturday deliveries because they needed the hours. Now, thanks to Amazon, they have more work than they know what to do with and they’re complaining?
Perhaps the USPS could take a page out of Amazon’s playbook and say, oh I don’t know, hire some additional, seasonal employees for the busiest time of the year? If the people you have can’t get the work done – that’s really your only choice. It’s either that or deliver poor customer service, which is what most of us have come to expect from the government run mail system. I hate to cheer against anyone, especially the truly hardworking people involved like my mailman, but maybe this is what it will take to finally get Washington out of the mail business.
LIZ GUNN is a wife, mom, travel enthusiast, food snob, daydreamer and lifelong Gamecock fan. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she lives in Columbia, S.C. with her husband and daughter.
***
77 comments
“It’s either that or deliver poor customer service”
It will be poor customer service till the end.
I actually had to get a PO box because I couldn’t reliably get my mail in my mailbox…it has worked for the most part.
In other news, the sun came up this morning from the East.
Compared to most postal systems,except Italy and the privatized UK,USPS is decent,but no one from Europe or Asia can afford to buy American,anymore.It used to be the opposite. Recent increases in insanely high international shipping is ruining things for small businesses in the US.To get an idea,go to Amazon,pretend you’re buying from the UK ,and check out the shipping charges..
Maybe USPS can beat Amazon to the punch with the whole drone delivery program. Just make sure Uncle Sam takes the missiles out.
Wait, nah, maybe that isn’t a good idea. My package might accidentally strike a neighbor’s
kiduhh, dog.Hey Liz, why not help the new restaurateur at Richland Mall out with a review. I walked by there last night at 6 and they had one table seated. Looked about like a typical night at Moe’s Grapevine.
Is it a cafeteria still?
No, where TGIF used to be. It’s a seafood restaurant.
oh right! I did see that last time I was at Barnes & Noble.
and in other news…
Jerry Garcia Love Letter To Vogue Cover Girl Is Up For Auction
may fetch up to $15,000.
I heard Burt Reynolds sold his toupee collection last week at auction.
I wonder what Mick’s would fetch.
What do you do that you’re getting paid for that is so much work that you have to do it on weekends?
You have a strange obsession with what I do for a living. I’m a consultant. Mostly digital media, content management and event planning. As you might imagine – this time of year there are lots of events, some on weekends. Happy now?
Consultant = unemployable except for small projects
So you’re a web designer who also plans Christmas parties. At least you use all the right resume words.
unemployable? Ha! Yes, that’s why I’m so busy I suppose. All this work from people who won’t hire me. I don’t design websites – so you’re not only wrong, but you can’t even read.
“digital media, content management” is website work.
If I’m wrong, show us some of your work. If you’re so busy you must be doing work that companies want to share. This reminds me of being in Los Angeles and finding out every valet, waitress and bartender is an actress or actor.
Wow -could you be any more of a psycho stalker? I happen to have worked with Liz and I found her to be one of the most talented, bright and professional people I’ve ever known. Did you ever think that maybe the reason she “can’t hold a job” is that people keep recruiting her away because she really is great at what she does? Of course not. I’m sure that never happened to you and your “professional” life. I would have to defer to Liz on the whole story, but I know for a fact that’s what happened when she left WACH. (Where she was our Marketing Director -never in sales.)
Yeah, “stalker”… it’s called Google. Google “Liz Gunn” and up comes a LinkedIn link, to the right in LinkedIn is Elizabeth Reardon profile with Liz’s picture. Not exactly Dick Tracy investigating skills required. Maybe you can pass this along to your crack Investigative Reporters and actually report on something that wasn’t on WIS, WLTX, or WOLO last week.
Well maybe WACH should have paid her more… but from your 10:00 news team, I’m guessing you pay bottom scale wages. Corey Miller can’t even afford to buy a decent suit.
Since you work at WACH maybe you can tell me this. Did Bree Boyce end up “beating anorexia”?
thank you – and whoever this is, call me!
Event coordination and marketing aren’t digital media and content management? Wrong. In the same paragraph you say that I was at WACH for 3 years you then say I can’t stay anywhere but a year or two. On that note, I’m out. Have a lovely evening.
No they’re not in the sense of the duties. How is setting up a reception and Christmas party or handing out pens with WACH stamped on them related to digital media and content management?
Is that your best shot? Three years? You talk like that’s an accomplishment to be employed by one company for three years. Most companies I’ve worked for it takes three years to even get a strong feeling of how the company operates.
I give up. You’re the dumbest person here tonight. I was done here – but it’s too hilarious to me that you just assume you know what my duties were.
I actually feel sorry for you – one human being to another. Something obviously happened to you along the way that made you such a mean,bitter person. Whatever it was – I really hope you can make peace with it soon. Maybe even find a new way to spend your time other than coming here purely to try and piss people off. Good luck.
Mrs. Reardon,
So explain to me what you mean by digital media and content management? You see I’m the dumbest person here and need you to explain to me like I’m a 3rd grader. I’ve seen enough resumes and cover letters to recognize keyword bullshit.
What do you consider to be content management? To me it’s a term used by people who work on websites, which you state you don’t do. I’ve never heard the term used in marketing.
“Digital media”, are you a graphic designer, design digital billboards/signage, produce commercials, etc…? Digital means online or electronic transfer to me, but you don’t do “online” work.
Don’t feel sorry for me, we don’t know each other so I could care less about you and I hope you’ll feel the same about me.
Not mean or bitter, just trying to wade through the bullshit.
Or you could just side-step all this and we’ll all pretend you do what you think you do.
So what is it that YOU do? That you seriously don’t know there is a big difference in web design and content management? I’m surprised you’re even able to comment here if that’s how illiterate you are. Web designers/ developers rarely manage content and vise versa, in my industry.
You’ve never heard of content management in marketing? Then you’re not in marketing. If you are, you’re way way behind. My clients include non-profits, legal, education, small biz, etc. I don’t think it’s appropriate (or fair to them) to talk specifically about them here – just like you probably wouldn’t name your employer or business. I create and manage content for their web sites, I handle email marketing campaigns, I write content for collateral, I manage social media platforms…is that enough for you?
I still can’t figure out why it kills some of the old codgers who comment here that a woman can actually be successful in business. That she can be self-employed and actually earn a good living not working for the man. I’m sorry if you punch a clock, or sit in a cubicle all day or hate what you do – but there’s no need to take it out on me. Quite frankly it’s none of your business how I earn my living and I sure as hell don’t care how you earn yours. If you were paid to comment on my articles you’d be very rich by now.
I thought you said you don’t work on websites? Now you state you create and manage for clients websites. And I’m the one who’s illiterate? People actually pay you for writing? Is it any more informative than your articles here?
Okay I get it, you’re a Facebook and Twitter expert, welcome to Jr. high school. Cutting and pasting online images must be the digital media part of your job.
How do you not know I might be able to comment on your articles this often because I am already very rich, and got that way from doing what I do? Not bad for being an illiterate old codger, who is actually not that much older than you are.
Yes, you’re still not getting it. Here is what you said “So you’re a web designer who also plans Christmas parties.” Web designer – someone who builds websites. Content management – someone who manages the content of a website. Rarely do those overlap.
I honesty never thought you were old until tonight when you displayed your complete lack of knowledge regarding the digital world – and I just figured someone with as much venom and anger as you have must have been working on that for quite some time. I don’t know anyone my age who’s as miserable as you are.
Cutting and pasting images is against the law. Good try though, Again – this is clearly not your area. You can go now.
Sweety (because that’s what old people call young people), if I’m old then you’re old too.
So you’re saying people who run websites (designing and editting) don’t manage the content? If you’re working on a website, and want the layout changed, do you require someone to help you? Most people I know who have websites do both design and content… but I don’t know anyone in the event coordinator field, maybe they’re a little slower in this area.
“Cutting and pasting images is against the law.”
Really. What is the penalty for that crime? Do the internet police pick them up or should I just call 911 if I see an image in more than one location?
Did your business go down after Monkey Joes closed their doors?
Sure is funny, you seem to feel sorry for a bunch of people and for whatever reason we don’t feel sorry for you
Maybe you should give up your gig as a “consultant” and become a “life coach”
But Wait!!!—-Maybe you have been “consulting” a “life coach” yourself!!! Or perchance Ms. Gunn is one herself………
i could see that actually for anyone who is gullible and there are a shitload of 40-50ish females who go for that shit
Maybe Ms. Gunn has another “gig” besides being a “consultant”
It pays the bills and the mortgage – Whatever…………………….
Because I’m a better person than you are. I think that’s obvious. You could use a life coach. And a dictionary.
Yeah, Sweetcakes!!!!!
Thanks for pointing out your superiority over a slug like me
As a matter of fact I have two life coaches:
1. The Holy Bible
2. The US Military
Got something that can top that?????
I know……It’s Gamecock Football!!!!!!!!!
Go back to swooning over the Gamecocks or some cafe in New Orleans
That’s more your style and level and more than likely you won’t rise past it but maybe you will on the off-chance
Here’s a suggestion:
Watch Mika Brezinski on MSNBC for a few days to see how a REAL classy (and good looking) broad works the system!!!!!
But Mika is a LONG way from the backwater that is Columbia,SC!!!!
The Holy Bible? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You may considering reading it. That would help.
Honey,
You really don’t have a clue do you???
As you Southerners like to say:
“Bless Your Heart”
I don’t have a clue? You’re here bullying me with one comment and saying the Bible is your life coach in another. You need so much more than a clue. A shrink would call that projecting.
Actually its more like you are the one that doesn’t have a clue. You say the bible is your “life coach” meaning you follow it in hopes to get to Heaven, but I am pretty sure you are going to get shit on in hell for the way you are bullying a person (Do unto to others and all) , because you wont make it to Heaven now.
And it wasn’t a “shot” at all – other than about how stupid you are, contradicting yourself in back to back sentences.
I feel like I’m watching an episode of the “Honeymooners”.
Just a quick FYI Liz, if this little troll who tries to hide his name but then calls you out on yours did in fact view your LinkedIn profile as he claims from he did, it will tell you who has view your profile and you could get his real name if he has an account. I’m just saying turn about is fair play and all.
If your boss knew how much time you spent trolling FITS News you would be unemployable.
I’ll send an e-mail to myself notifying me of exactly that concern.
Wait you’re self-employed? Why is that okay for you and not Ms. Gunn? Why don’t you provide some samples of your work so we can all see what you do?
No. Because. You likely wouldn’t understand it if I did.
Any more stupid questions?
yeah hows your in the dirt pecker lover mother doing?
Because I’m a woman. In case you haven’t noticed “squishy” is a racist, sexist a-hole who hates everyone here, including himself.
Uh oh, looks like I touched the bitch nerve with Mrs. Reardon. Which makes me ask, why don’t you use your real name here?
Why don’t you use yours?
Mrs. Reardon, so your answer to my question is to ask a question? I’ll take it as you don’t know why you don’t use your real name. Maybe you’re embarrassed to use it on this site because a client may see it here and object to you being associated with this site.
Actually that’s a fair question. It’s not like Liz made up a name. That is her name. At least part of it. Is Squishy123 on your birth certificate?
Yes, yes it is.
Squishy has always been nothing more than a pathetic little troll. He has absolutely no life of his own so he has to come on here and bash you. He wont give his name as he is a child to scared someone will see the truth about him. Norma too. Don’t even worry about these two little twerps. They aren’t worth it. In fact anyone that has nothing better to do than bash someone writing an article no one forced them to read is a joke. I think you had about 5 different ones on this one thread, and something tells me 3 of them are really the same person.
And who are you again?
Run along little troll. Just because you cant get a girl doesn’t mean you need to stalk Liz.
he doesn’t work.
Defination of a “Consultant”:
“Someone who can provide you with the phone numbers of 10 women/men (insert choice “here” – at a billable rate of course…..) but can’t get a date for themselves”!!!!!!!!!
But what’s the definition of defination?
I’ve just always wanted to get a gig like yours, doing whatever you do.
And aside from going out to lunch with your friends and taking pictures of your food and the drinks your are having, what does a “Freelance Social Media Strategist” do?
I must admit I’m intrigued, and would gladly change careers if I could get someone to payme to go out to lunch and drink with my friends.
That sounds like a SWEET gig. Does it have a matching 401K? Do you get set hours of PTO per year? Is there direct deposit? So many questions!
I’m sorry your job doesn’t let you go out to lunch. That really is quite sad. Especially at your age -I mean I’m guessing you’re not a first year employee? There are labor laws you know. You should speak up for yourself in real life as much as you do behind an anonymous internet handle. Is it your job or your sad life that doesn’t provide the time or desire to have lunch or drinks with friends? Or is it that you have no friends? It’s not really hard for me to imagine that. Your general demeanor here would definitely lend itself to being a lonely loser in real life.
I’m self-employed – and I’m going to give you enough credit to know that you have the answers to those last questions, and you’re desperately trying to start conflict…which is why you came back the next day to add on to your original reply. Sorry – no time for that today. I have a 3 hour lunch and then happy hour.
Wow..thats pretty defensive for someone who has such a great gig.
Who was watching your kid during all this?
first you stalk her, now you are asking about her kids? I don’t know, someone might want to call the authorities as this is dangerously close threatening her children. the type of person this dipshit is, I wouldn’t put it past him
Holy shit, you idiots are well… idiots.
that’s all you got predator? You really have no life do you?
Why is that any of your business?
I heard he was on “To Catch a Predator” by Chris Hanson on Dateline. Scary
I bet you did, most neighborhood gossips come up with the best stuff.
so you edit the question as to you asking about her children to hide the fact you are indeed a predator? good thing I took a screen shot of it in case anyone wants to have you investigated. I mean you stalked the writer, looked up her name that was not posted here and revealed it to others, then started to see if her children would be unattended at some point. Now you delete and edit that comment. That means you know you did something wrong. Don’t worry soon enough people might know who you are. I am sure you are scared now. now run along troll, sorry we established you to be even lower than that, run along predator
Yeah whatever there Matlock.
obviously you know you can get in trouble or you wouldn’t have changed it. we shall see sicko.
i’ve always had good service with the US Post Office.
Try to send even a single page via UPS or FedEx for 55 cents. Let alone go to one of their “Service Centers”——–talk about shitty attitudes, waiting in line and being run through the mill = BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!!!!
I go to a small local Post office near where my office is and mail my stuff during the holiday season, don’t wait in line at all and don’t put up with the BS that I would with UPS or FedEx – fuck them.
Ms. Gunn gets her stuff early (and hopefully in one piece) and she wants to make an issue with that?????
But then again, this is Ms. Gunn we are talking about here………………………
I’ll bet if you gave her a bar of gold she would complain that it was too heavy!!!!!!!!
“Try to send even a single page via UPS or FedEx for 55 cents.”
If you love that, you should try some gov’t cheese, it’s awesome and free.
What can I say except you don’t know any better.
UPS & FedEx charge around the same for 1 – 30 pages for 2 day service and it sure as hell ain’t 55 cents dipshit.
Gonna cost you anywhere from $5 – $15 depending on delivery time via FedEx or UPS
I can send 5 pages coast to coast via US Mail and get there for what- maybe $1.50 Tops for first class if it needs to go via snail mail
Like everybody else, I scan/fax the shit out of stuff but IF I have to end up sending something I send it via US Mail for a fraction of what it would cost me via UPS or FedEx
Who is the cheese eater now?????
lol…you didn’t understand what I wrote. Try re-reading it.
No, you are just not clear on what you are attempting to make a point of………..
Are you trying to compare the rates of UPS/FedEx vs. USPS for the same type of delivery (i.e.: 2 day “economy” rate)?
USPS beats UPS/FedEx hands down!!!
That is the point I am making and it is a fact!!!!!
Let alone the BS you have to go through shipping out parcels UNLESS you are contracting with UPS or FedEx….. I am referring to individuals going to the “Service Centers” NOT BULK or CONTRACT shippers like Amazon.where UPS or FedEx picks up a shitload of parcels at the distribution centers
“Are you trying to compare the rates of UPS/FedEx vs. USPS for the same type of delivery (i.e.: 2 day “economy” rate)?”
No, I’m trying to point out that the USPS couldn’t charge $.55 for a letter if someone, someplace, wasn’t footing the bill to subsidize it. (like the taxpayer in this case)
Rest assured that even if the gov’t allowed UPS or FEDEX to ship letters cost effectively(they don’t, in fact when it was proven by Lysander Spooner that he could do a better job the US gov’t legislated him out of business) that the rate would be a hell of a lot more than $.55 from here to Alaska.
So my point is that gov’t provides a lot of stuff that’s “cheap” if you don’t account for the fact that the taxpayer is subsidizing it.
Are you on drugs?
Hell no I AIN”T on drugs!!!!
Just speaking the truth from personal experience is all!!!!
Try to go to a UPS or FedEx “Service Center” and send your personal shit out during the holiday season and see how much of a ration of shit you get for sending out one measly fucking parcel!!!!!