Is the US postal service an at will employer?

Answer 1

Yes and no. In order to become an employee of the Postal Service, with benefits, you must pass the exam pertinent to the position. If you are a veteran, you get veteran's preference, and as long as you score well on the test, you will be hired.

As to firing, the postal service cannot just fire at will. Because all positions withing the Postal Service are under the umbrella of a union, it is very difficult for the service to fire an employee. There are grievance procedures, informal step A, formal step A, B team and then pre-arbitration, and finally arbitration hearings that one can go through. Most disciplinary actions, including removal, are remedied prior to arbitration; and very few people end up being removed. This prevents the Postal Service from being called an at willo employer.

However, the Postal Service also employees temporary employees, called casuals, who have no benefits, no bidding rights, no seniority, etc. These people can be hired and fired at will because they do not come under the protection of a union.

So you see, the answer is both yes and no, depending on the circumstances.