ATTENDANCE AND RELIABILITY are among the most heavily weighted factors in mail handler selection and retention. USPS VEA 'Tell Your Story' sections assess work history and behavioral tendencies. Why attendance matters particularly in mail handling:
Schedule-driven operation: mail processing facilities operate on extremely tight schedules tied to transportation (planes, trucks, delivery routes) — a gap in processing staff means mail literally misses transportation windows.
Shift coverage: mail handler shifts are often fully staffed to exactly cover the required processing volume; an absence creates a genuine operational gap, not just an inconvenience.
Coworker burden: when someone is absent without notice, colleagues must work harder or additional overtime is incurred — chronic unreliable attendance affects team morale.
What good attendance behavior looks like: reliable, consistent presence; early notification when absence is unavoidable (illness, emergency) — 'calling out' several hours before shift start versus last-minute notification; maintaining a strong attendance record over time; working on important mail volume days even when it might be difficult. USPS attendance standards: USPS enforces attendance standards; excessive unscheduled absences are grounds for progressive discipline including termination; FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) provides protected leave for qualifying conditions — but routine unscheduled absences without medical basis are not protected.
Vea scoring note: candidates who show a history of strong attendance in prior employment, or who demonstrate understanding of why reliability matters, score more favorably on attendance-related VEA items.