Leadership vacancies at Sandston facility cost USPS $2.3M in extra expenses, audit finds
Auditors say the lack of leadership at the major hub creates a trickle-down effect of trouble for mail delivery
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The Postal Service's top watchdog uncovered that the hub for mail service in Central Virginia has been without consistent leadership for over a year, causing issues with communication, supervision, and planning that cost the Postal Service $2.3 million in "questioned" costs.
An audit released Jan. 27 says Richmond's Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Sandston has gone without permanent leadership for 14 months following its launch, and three of its four senior leadership positions remain vacant after seeing high turnover among temporary managers.
"These positions are essential to effective operations, especially the plant manager, who is responsible for setting the operational tone and communicating expectations to staff," the audit says.
Though Postal Service management told investigators that there is a plan to fill the positions by March 30, 2025, auditors say the lack of leadership creates a trickle-down effect of trouble for mail delivery.
Local management told investigators that "poor work culture" and "lack of discipline" lead to high absenteeism. On average, about 19% of people scheduled to work at the facility do not show up. The investigation suggested employees "were not concerned about the consequences, as managers were not following policy in implementing actions for unscheduled absenteeism."
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