A little appreciation goes a long way — a fact demonstrated recently during a USPS employee appreciation day at Norwood Park Station in Chicago.
The station’s management recently introduced an initiative called EAR — Engagement with co-workers, Accountability for ourselves, and Results for our customers.
“I wanted to help enforce that program by giving employees recognition,” said Stacy Harris, an acting customer services supervisor.
Employees were treated to breakfast and received pins highlighting their contributions in categories such as teamwork, positive attitude, ethics and zero accidents.
“The ceremony was outstanding,” said Monica Clark, a letter carrier who has worked for USPS for 30 years. “When a Post Office gives you appreciation, it goes a long way and lifts morale.”
Jarell Caston, a fellow letter carrier, appreciated the recognition, too.
“We do work hard. It lifts our spirits,” he said.
The fix-it brigade
Is there anything the field maintenance team in the Postal Service’s Illinois 1 District can’t handle?
“Our area maintenance technicians do all sorts of things to maintain the stations, from safes, toilets, electrical and locks to fighting bees and wasps when working on mailboxes,” said Melinda Rivera, an acting supervisor and building equipment mechanic in the district.
Her team takes care of more than 200 Post Offices in Northern Illinois, “along with any kind of emergency.”
Matt Foltz, an area maintenance technician at the Rockford, IL, Sorting and Delivery Center, said he works “from the top of the roof to the basement. Anything that needs to be done.”
Glenn Bednarek, a technician in Carol Stream, IL, pointed out that he and his colleagues may need to turn on a dime — depending on circumstances. “There are a lot of daily tasks and sometimes there are emergencies where you have to juggle,” he said.
Their hard work does not go unnoticed.
“I’ve come to really appreciate the strong team we have here in Illinois 1,” said Jasmine Jackson, field maintenance operations manager. “It’s a great mix of seasoned professionals and newer employees. I’m grateful to be part of a team that’s so committed, capable and collaborative.”
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