No. FNPO/5day week/2026 29.01.2026
To
The Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak Bhavan, New Delhi-11001.
Respected Madam,
Sub: Implementation of Five-Day Work Week for Operative Staff in the Department of Posts - Reg.
The Federation of National Postal Organizations (FNPO) respectfully submits for your kind consideration the serious concerns of postal employees across the country regarding excessive workload, prolonged working hours, and the urgent need to implement a five-day work week to ensure a healthy and sustainable work-life balance.
Over the past few years, the workload in the Department of Posts has increased manifold. The introduction and expansion of diversified services, particularly in financial inclusion and business-oriented activities, have placed enormous pressure on postal employees. Issues arising out of APT-related operations and frequent technical disruptions have further compelled employees at all levels to work beyond prescribed hours on a regular basis, severely affecting their physical and mental well-being.
The work-life balance of postal employees has been profoundly disturbed. Family life has been adversely affected, and employees are increasingly unable to devote adequate time and care to their children and families. Business targets, melas, and continuous marketing drives have added to this pressure, leaving employees with little or no time for rest ad personal responsibilities.
It is also pertinent to bring to your notice that, despite completion of official working hours. employees are often compelled to remain available over phone even after returning home. They are repeatedly instructed to complete pending work in departmental software caused by system failures and technical issues, which are entirely beyond the control of employees. This practice has further extended working hours unofficially and has resulted in continuous stress without any recognition or compensation.
Postal financial services have expanded extensively and now reach even the most remote corners of the country. The nature, responsibility, and intensity of work are comparable to those performed by employees in banks and insurance companies. However, unlike these institutions, postal employees continue to work six days a week, including scend Saturdays, without sufficient rest.Moreover, a clear disparity exists within the same Department. While administrative offices function only for five days a week, operational staff are compelled to work six days without any additional pay, allowance, or compensatory benefit. This internal discrimination has caused widespread dissatisfaction and is deeply demoralizing for employees engaged in field and counter operations.
In this context, the demand for a five-day work week is a matter of fairness and justice. FNPO is not opposed to seven-day business operations in the interest of public service. On the contrary, postal employees are willing and happy to work 8.5 hours per day, provided two days of weekly rest are assured. This arrangement would enable post offices to remain open for an additional half hour, thereby allowing the public to access postal services for a longer duration. This would clearly result in a win-win situation for the Department, employees, and the general public.
We firmly believe that nation-building begins with strong families, and a healthy work-life balance is essential to this foundation. Government-run banks and insurance companies have already adopted policies that prioritize employee welfare, setting a progressive example worthy of emulation.
While Sunday delivery and post offices functioning on all days would certainly benefit the public, providing employees with two days of weekly rest would equally benefit the Department by enhancing productivity, efficiency, accountability, and morale.
It may also be recalled with pride that postal employees worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 lockdown on all days, ensuring uninterrupted movement of parcels, essential supplies, and vital documents, thereby safeguarding public interest during an unprecedented national crisis.
Fair working hours are not a luxury but a basic right of every employee. In view of the foregoing, FNPO strongly urges the Government to implement a five-day work week for postal employees across the country at the earliest, in the interest of employee welfare, organizational efficiency, and long-term institutional growth.
We sincerely hope that the Department will give due and sympathetic consideration to this genuine and long-pending demand.
Yours sincerely,
29.1.26
(SIVAJI VASIREDDY) Secretary General
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