Need a duplicate W-2?
Go to PostalEASE to view or print an official duplicate W-2 form from the past seven years. Employees can either download forms electronically or have copies mailed to their home address. […]
Mike Milligan
Posts by Mike Milligan
William Belch, Rochester, MN
Rochester, MN, Letter Carrier William Belch was delivering mail when he heard a fire alarm and saw smoke pouring out of a home’s window. When he knocked on the door, no one answered. Belch saw a dog inside the house and immediately called 911. Firefighters arrived and determined the smoke was coming from an unattended […]
Social stars
Twelve-year-old Matthew Flores has received more than 10,000 books since Sandy, UT, City Carrier Assistant Ron Lynch’s plea on the child’s behalf went viral earlier this year. “There are people that want to do good. There are so many positive things out there that people want to be a part of,” Lynch tells the latest […]
Postal Bulletin
The Postal Bulletin’s latest issue highlights open season, the annual benefits enrollment period that began Nov. 9. The coverage includes an overview of Self Plus One, a new health care enrollment type available this year, as well as a series of open season posters. The Nov. 12 edition also includes information about local tax codes […]
Know your data
Postal Service employees share the responsibility for keeping information secure. There are three different types of data: Publicly available information, which is accessible to all employees, suppliers and customers. Sensitive information, which contains confidential personally identifiable data, such as dates of birth, Social Security numbers or bank routing numbers. Sensitive-enhanced information, such as a driver’s […]
In the pink
The Postal Service sold approximately $3.9 million worth of Breast Cancer Research stamps in October — including more than $1.7 million in Southern Area, the national leader. Southern’s top district was Suncoast, which includes part of Florida. The top individual performers were two of the state’s retail associates: Eileen Dimase, who sold more than $28,500 […]
Surprise packages
Birchbox, a New York-based company that ships beauty and grooming products to subscribers each month, takes pride in surprising its customers. The company also takes pride in its relationship with USPS. “Every month, we have to deliver an element of … discovery to our customers. People feel like it’s Christmas every month, and we couldn’t […]
What’s POS?
The point of service (POS) system gives retail employees product information they can use to provide prompt, accurate and consistent customer service. The system also records detailed transaction data, simplifies inventory management and helps assure pricing regularity. […]
Washington, DC, Consumer Relations Specialist Diedre Tillery
“No matter how well we do our jobs, we must recognize that some customers will have issues with USPS products or services. The real test of providing world-class customer service is how we respond to our customers when problems arise.” […]
Read More… from Washington, DC, Consumer Relations Specialist Diedre Tillery
Dana Clyburn, Teterboro, NJ
Knoxville, TN, Letter Carrier Mike Crenshaw is way cool and Carter Lawson is way cute. […]
Letter goals
While watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup last summer, 13-year-old Ayla Ludlow’s brother informed her boys were “much better at soccer than girls.” The comment prompted the Pembroke, MA, teen to write the first family. “It makes me mad that people do not treat girls equally,” Ayla wrote. “Plus a lot of girls are better […]
Direct hits
Direct mail consultant Mikki Wilder has a knack for turning routine mailings into attention-grabbing marketing tools — with help from the Postal Service. “People who worry about mailing costs often don’t appreciate the response,” said Wilder, owner of Denver-based Wilder Ideas. “I design client mailings to be noticed and remembered. Consumers love them, and clients […]
Free before fast
Free beats fast, at least when it comes to shipping. Eighty-seven percent of online shoppers in a new survey said having their holiday purchases delivered for free is more important than getting them fast. The research, conducted by consulting firm Deloitte, also shows consumers’ shipping expectations are changing. Ninety-two percent of respondents believe fast shipping […]
Opening soon
Open season, the annual period when Postal Service employees can change their health benefits or enroll in a new plan, begins Nov. 9. A variety health, vision and dental coverage is available. Options include the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), USPS Health Benefits Plan and Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), as […]
Delivering wins
Political campaigns across the nation will learn how to better use the mail under a new partnership between a top trade association and USPS. The Postal Service will educate members of the American Association of Political Consultants on a range of mailing matters, including using direct mail and complying with rules regarding political mail. “The […]
Western Area Writer/Editor Rod Spurgeon
“The awesome work of our employees in the field makes success possible. It’s a pleasure to have the chance to write their stories.” […]
Mark Abplanalp, Grant City, MO
Today’s hero is featured in a full-length article. […]
Lost devices
If your Postal Service computer, mobile phone or device is lost or stolen, immediately call the Computer Incident Response Team at 866-877-7247 or send an email to cybersafe@usps.gov. More information is available on the CyberSafe at USPS site. […]
Leandra Beckemeyer, Howe, TX
Mike Crenshaw is amazing for taking time out of his day to recognize Carter Lawson. Every little boy needs a hero — and who better than a letter carrier? […]
Survivors’ stories
For some Postal Service employees, the fight against breast cancer is personal. Carl Junction, MO, Postmaster Sharon Clark — a survivor of the disease — strives each year to be a top seller of the semipostal Breast Cancer Research stamp. “It became really important to me to do something and not just sit back and […]
Greater flexibility
USPS employees can contribute more money to health care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) next year. FSAs allow employees to set aside money before taxes to cover eligible medical, pharmacy, dental and vision expenses. The Postal Service will increase the maximum employee contribution to FSAs from $2,500 to $2,550, as allowed under the latest IRS regulations. The […]
Buying barriers
Shipping costs are preventing many consumers across the world from shopping online, according to a new survey by mailing services company Pitney Bowes Inc. Sixty-four percent said they don’t shop online because shipping costs are too high. Forty-eight percent of respondents also cited additional shipping fees, while 39 percent said product deliveries take too long. […]
Heroes’ corner
Grant City, MO, Rural Carrier Mark Abplanalp delivered mail to a farm on a recent Tuesday. When he returned two days later, he noticed the mail was untouched. That’s when Abplanalp’s instincts kicked in. He called the sheriff, who began searching for the farmer with help from the man’s son-in-law. They found the farmer about […]
Lifelong letters
After writing letters to each other for 51 years, two pen pals recently cemented their friendship in person. Kathy Drake of Pascack Valley, NJ, and Christine Dalton of Brighton, England, met for the first time this month. The cross-Atlantic friendship began when Dalton sent a letter to Drake in 1964. “I should very much like […]
Northern Virginia District Consumer and Industry Contact Manager Tony Prisco
“Don’t look at negative customer feedback as a bad thing. It’s an opportunity to [help make USPS more effective]. Use the information to identify problems and implement a process or solution.” […]
Read More… from Northern Virginia District Consumer and Industry Contact Manager Tony Prisco
Leonard Giannetti, Samantha Glazebrook and Amy DeLuca, Springfield, MA
Today’s hero is featured in a full-length article. […]
Read More… from Leonard Giannetti, Samantha Glazebrook and Amy DeLuca, Springfield, MA
Personal devices
To protect Postal Service information, employees must never connect personal devices to any USPS computer, equipment or network via a wired or wireless connection. Personal devices must not store, process or transmit any Postal Service information at any time. More information is available on the CyberSafe at USPS site’s personal devices page. […]
Heather Rankin, Brush Valley, PA
Adding rain gardens to Post Offices is absolutely wonderful. […]
Funding the fight
USPS is marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month by highlighting its semipostal research stamp, which has raised $80.9 million since it was issued in 1998. The Postal Service is featuring the stamp on usps.com and social media. Facilities also are hosting events to raise awareness of breast cancer. “Our employees … are all people who know […]
Paid in full
The Postal Service has improved Collect on Delivery (COD), aiming to make it easier for business customers to get paid for merchandise they mail. Businesses can now have payments transferred electronically to their financial institution. Additionally, these mailers can continue to use postal money orders to transfer payments. Both methods ensure companies get paid for […]