United States Postal Service

Why you want to work there

The country's mail service, which processes 405,000 pieces of mail every minute, positions its IT employees in seven locations throughout the country. The telecommuting and alternate work schedule programs enhance the organization's efforts to recruit and retain top talent, help conserve energy and reduce CO₂ emissions by eliminating up to three commuting days. The programs also contribute to employee preparedness to work at home during emergency events. Pay for performance: The USPS's National Performance Assessment Program rewards outstanding performers by linking compensation directly to employee achievements. The system encourages excellence and measures performance through specific criteria, defined objectives and a uniform measurement process that ensures that all staffers in similar positions are evaluated on the same criteria. Data is pulled into the system from a wide range of enterprise data sources and is populated into a Web-based balanced scorecard for each individual. Special awards: The Individual Recognition and Awards Program rewards employees for outstanding performance and provides awards ranging from a letter of appreciation to $10,000 in cash. The IT Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor inside the IT department. Recipients must have 25 years or more of total service and at least 20 years in the IT organization as a leader, mentor and team player, with achievements that have had a lasting positive impact on computing and the working environment. The IT group to date has honored 23 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.