Why do postal services need large numbers of workers?

Postal services require large numbers of workers primarily because the fundamental "raw material" of the system—individual letters and parcels—demands unique, item-by-item treatment from collection to final delivery. While postal organizations strive to convert these individual items into bulk-processed mail to achieve efficiency, the sheer volume of traffic and the need for house-to-house delivery necessitate an extensive workforce.1

The reliance on human labor is driven by several operational factors:

• Handling Complexity: Mail items vary significantly in shape, size, and weight, making it difficult to fully automate every stage of processing.12
• Logistical Requirements: Large sorting centers, which may process millions of items daily, require thousands of personnel to manage sorting and delivery operations.1
• Materials Handling: Despite the use of conveyors and other equipment, postal systems continue to rely heavily on human labor for bulk distribution and loading tasks at sorting centers.2
• Operational Fluctuations: Mail traffic often experiences marked peaks, making it difficult to rely solely on machines, which may struggle with inconsistent work patterns.3

Consequently, postal management is largely focused on the efficient administration and deployment of these large bodies of manpower.1