Workers may experience stress as they process and deliver ever larger quantities of mail under tight production deadlines and quotas. Most carriers begin work early in the morning, in some cases as early as 4 a.m., if they have routes in a business district. A carrier's schedule has its advantages, however. Carriers who begin work early in the morning are through by early afternoon, and they spend most of the day on their own, relatively free from direct supervision. Overtime hours may be required during peak delivery times, such as before holidays.
Carriers spend most of their time outdoors, and deliver mail in all kinds of weather.
Even those who drive often must walk when making deliveries and must lift heavy sacks of parcel post items when loading their vehicles. In addition, carriers always must be cautious of potential hazards on their routes. Wet roads and sidewalks can be treacherous, and each year numerous carriers are bitten by dogs. The U.S. Postal Service employed 297,000 clerks and mail handlers and 332,000 mail carriers in 1996. About 90 percent of them worked full time.