Proposal for the Strategic Introduction of a Five-Day Work Week in Operative Post Offices through Rationalized Working Hours

PRADEEP VASHISHTHA, Regional Secretary (Southern Region, Ajmer) Add.: Head Post Office, New Grain Mandi, Kota- 324007 (Raj.) M.: 9462729592 | E- mail : vashisthapradeep26@gmail.com

KAPK:- NAPE/GROUP- C/CORR/2026- 27/04 DATED AT KOTA - 16/05/2026

To

Shri Sivaji Vasireddy

Secretary General FNPO

New Delhi- 110001

Subject: Proposal for the Strategic Introduction of a Five- Day Work Week in Operative Post Offices through Rationalized Working Hours.

Respected Sir,

I would like to draw your kind attention toward a progressive, much- needed, and transformative reform that holds immense potential to benefit postal employees, enhance departmental efficiency, and align with the nation's environmental goals.

Currently, a glaring disparity exists within the Department: while Administrative Offices enjoy a Five- Day Work Week, the core operative machinery—including Head Post Offices, Sub- Offices, and Delivery Offices—continues to stretch across a grueling Six- Day schedule. In this era of rapid digital transformation and modernized governance, it is the most opportune time to bridge this gap and rationalize the working pattern of operative establishments.

Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently championed national causes like fuel conservation, environmental sustainability, digital governance, and optimal resource utilization. Our department can actively contribute to this vision while simultaneously boosting workforce morale through a simple modification: declaring Saturday a holiday for operative offices and adjusting the daily working hours by just 30 minutes from Monday to Friday.

This strategic transition will yield multi- fold advantages:

Significant National Fuel Conservation: With lakhs of postal employees commuting daily, eliminating Saturday transit will collectively save a massive volume of petrol and diesel every week. This directly reduces the country's fuel import burden, supporting the Hon'ble PM's vision of Urja Atmanirbharata.- Decisive Reduction in Carbon Footprint: Fewer vehicles on the road on Saturdays means a direct drop in traffic congestion and air pollution, making a tangible contribution toward the Green India initiative.

1 Operational Continuity with Zero Disruption: Extending daily office timings by a mere 30 minutes on weekdays fully compensates for the Saturday hours. This ensures that public service delivery remains completely unaffected.

Operational Continuity with Zero Disruption: Extending daily office timings by a mere 30 minutes on weekdays fully compensates for the Saturday hours. This ensures that public service delivery remains completely unaffected.- Exponential Boost to Employee Productivity: Continuous six-day public dealing and financial handling lead to severe burnout and physical fatigue. A structured two-day weekend will allow employees to recuperate, returning to work with higher energy, sharper focus, and improved service delivery.- Parity and Enhanced Employee Morale: Extending the five-day benefit to operative staff—who bear the brunt of direct public pressure—will eliminate the sense of disparity, significantly boosting organizational loyalty and morale.- Substantial Overhead Savings for the Department: Shutting down thousands of operative offices on Saturdays will result in direct financial savings by reducing electricity consumption, air conditioning costs, network bandwidth, and overall office maintenance overheads.- Alignment with Digital India: With CBS, IPPB, PLI/RPLI online platforms, and automated parcel tracking, the traditional necessity of physical counters remaining open six days a week has drastically reduced. The public is already empowered digitally 24/7.- Work-Life Balance & Mental Well-being: A five-day week ensures that postal employees get adequate time for family responsibilities and mental rejuvenation, leading to a healthier, stress-free workforce.

Sir, as our apex representative body, FNPO has always stood at the forefront of employee welfare and progressive reforms.

Therefore, it is earnestly requested that the Union firmly take up this matter with the Postal Directorate and higher authorities for immediate deliberation and policy implementation. This landmark reform will project the Department of Posts as a forward- thinking, eco- friendly, and employee- centric organization.

Thank you for your constant leadership and support.

Yours faithfully

With profound regards,