"By prior correspondence, your organization was notified of Postal Service plans to conduct pilot tests to determine the feasibility of using a 'shared services' approach to HR processes. Since that time, HR Shared Svcs has been incorporated under a larger Human Capital Enterprise Initiative.
"The USPS currently supports approximately 200 HR/payroll processes with over 70 systems. The two major legacy systems used for these processes, the Complement Management System (CMS) and Payroll System, utilize technology that is 15 to 25 years old. Continued use of this old and outdated technology creates risks in terms of system flexibility and long-term support due to technical obsolescence.
"Each of the 80 USPS performance clusters currently has an HR function which includes offices in safety, personnel (including benefits administration), training, injury comp, EEO and labor relations. Much of the work accomplished within the HR function is transactional in nature and may readily be reengineered, automated; as well as be moved to a self-service shared services environment.
"The Human Capital Enterprise initiative is designed to develop and deploy an enterprise system as a replacement for the legacy systems which currently support HR processes. The backbone of this project is the implementation of a commercial off-the-shelf HR/Payroll package that will incorporate HR functionality for all postal employees into a single integrated system. It also includes the implementation of a knowledge management system that will support employee and manager self-service. This system supports the implementation of shared services by providing the technology to automate and streamline processes in order to shift routine and repetitive HR transactions to self-service and a shared services center.
"This is to notify you that the Postal Service plans on reengineering and automating processes within HR. This will support moving HR activities to a self-service environment with residual activities conducted utilizing shared services at a centralized location. It is currently planned that implementation will begin in June 2004 with full deployment completed by the end of calendar year 2005. As a result of the Human Capital Enterprise project the Postal Service expects a reduction in bargaining and non-bargaining unit work hours within Human Resources. It is anticipated that each district HR office will, as a consequence, experience bargaining and non-bargaining unit staff reductions. Appropriate updated information will be provided when available."