The Postal Service Reform Act passed the U.S. Senate on March 8 with bipartisan support. Now that the bill has passed both houses of Congress, it heads to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature. The legislation eliminates the Postal Service’s outdated, burdensome retiree health benefit prefunding requirement and integrates the organization’s retiree health […]
Thrift Savings Plan specialists will offer webinars and live question-and-answer sessions in March on the ins and outs of the program, also known as TSP. Here’s an overview of the webinars and when they’ll be offered (all times are Eastern): • TSP Investment Funds: An overview of investing to meet retirement goals, TSP funds and […]
The USPS Small Business Solutions team is holding a competition to see which Postal Service area can submit the most employee leads for the new USPS Connect Local delivery option. USPS Connect Local, which began a national rollout last month, offers small businesses affordable next-day delivery in all locations, with same-day delivery, Sunday delivery and […]
The Postal Service’s nonbargaining employees must complete a course on political activity and the Hatch Act by March 31. The Hatch Act is a law prohibiting postal and other federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, while wearing a uniform, while on federal property or while inside a federal vehicle. Nonbargaining employees […]
The Postal Service has delivered more than 68 million COVID-19 test kit packages — over 270 million tests in all — to U.S. households. Each kit contains four tests. On average, it takes 1.2 days for USPS to deliver a test kit package once the tests have been received from the manufacturer, prepared and entered […]
The Postal Service will release its latest Forever stamp, Title IX, on March 3. Title IX is the civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in any educational program receiving federal funds. The law turns 50 this year. The stamp, which is being released during Women’s History Month, underscores the law’s profound effect […]
Scanning snapshot. A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.75 percent during the week ending Feb. 25, down 0.03 percent from one week earlier. The data was collected March 2. WestPac led the four areas with a rating of 97.1 percent, while Atlantic ranked last with a 96.39 percent rating. […]
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar to learn about the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and Medicare. The session, “Medicare and FEHB,” will be held Monday, March 7, at noon EST. Representatives from GEHA, a not-for-profit provider of health plans for federal employees, will conduct the webinar and explore how Medicare […]
The Postal Service’s Small Business Solutions team has developed an employee lead submission card that highlights the new USPS Connect Local delivery option. USPS Connect Local, which began a national rollout last month, offers small businesses affordable next-day delivery in all locations, with same-day delivery, Sunday delivery and pickup options in select locations. The new […]
“Beloved botanical,” the article about why people from around the world send letters to an oak tree in Germany, proves again that many wonderful, warm stories emanate from mail delivery. […]
Scanning snapshot. A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.51 percent during the week ending Feb. 18, down 0.2 percent from one week earlier. The data was collected Feb. 23. WestPac led the four areas with a rating of 97.06 percent, while Atlantic ranked last with a 96.12 percent rating. […]
Two USPS employees have received complimentary registrations to this year’s National Postal Forum (NPF). Annette Atkin, a business alliances manager in Santa Ana, CA, and Cheri Valdivia, a customer relations manager in West Sacramento, CA, are the first employees in 2022 to earn the distinction. Both employees registered five eligible customers through the NPF Employee […]
The Postal Service is looking for employees interested in learning the Lean Six Sigma methodology for improving processes and increasing efficiencies within the organization. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) — which consists of a set of statistical methods for systemically analyzing processes to reduce variations — draws upon on well-established quality control and data analysis techniques […]
The Office of Personnel Management has directed Federal Employees Health Benefits Program plans to offer expanded coverage for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits. This coverage must be provided without adding any cost-sharing requirements or prior authorization. In addition, plans are required to reimburse out-of-network costs up to $12 per test. Plans have the right to limit […]
“Delivering a dream” was a wonderful story about how Letter Carrier Van Singletary and the Laguna Niguel, CA, Post Office crew helped fulfill young cancer survivor Jacob Hayward’s birthday wishes. I’m proud to be a part of a great organization that hires employees like Van. […]
Scanning snapshot. A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.58 percent during the week ending Feb. 11, down 0.10 percent from one week earlier. The data was collected Feb. 16. Central led the four areas with a rating of 96.9 percent, while Southern ranked last with a 96.29 percent rating. […]
This year, Presidents Day falls on Monday, Feb. 21. In a peculiar twist, the holiday that began as an unofficial observance of George Washington’s birthday, and that is now celebrated on the third Monday of February, never actually falls on the Founding Father’s birthday — or any other president’s, for that matter. Here’s how the […]
Have you ever considered a career in cybersecurity? The Postal Service, like other organizations, relies on cybersecurity experts to protect its network and customers from ransomware and other online threats. Cybersecurity experts are in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that information technology and cybersecurity will be among the fastest growing jobs over the […]
“Delivering a dream” was such a great article. I loved reading about little Jacob Hayward, a cancer survivor, and Van Singletary, the incredible Postal Service employee who helped him become an honorary letter carrier. […]
For Ismelda Ornelas, peak season begins the last week of January. “I’m as busy or busier than Christmas on Valentine’s Day,” said Ornelas, postmaster of the Valentine, TX, Post Office. For more than 30 years, the small West Texas town has held an annual contest among local students to design a customized Valentine’s Day pictorial […]
Scanning snapshot. A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.43 percent during the week ending Feb. 4, down 0.38 percent from one week earlier. The data was collected Feb. 9. Central led the four areas with a rating of 96.81 percent, while Southern ranked last with a 96.13 percent rating. […]
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar to learn how blood pressure affects overall health. The session, “Controlling Blood Pressure,” will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15, at noon EST. Representatives from GEHA, a not-for-profit provider of health plans for federal employees, will discuss what happens when blood pressure becomes too high or too […]
The Postal Service will emphasize technology, investments and service during this year’s National Postal Forum. The annual meeting, to be held May 15-18 in Phoenix, brings together USPS leaders, business customers and other industry professionals. The event is returning to an in-person format for the first time since 2019. This year’s theme is “Facing the […]
Scanning snapshot. A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.61 percent during the week ending Jan. 28, down 0.44 percent from one week earlier. The data was collected Feb. 2. Central led the four areas with a rating of 96.82 percent, while Atlantic ranked last with a 96.15 percent rating. […]
In recognition of American Heart Month, the USPS Health and Wellness team is encouraging employees to check their blood pressure levels regularly. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal levels. Blood pressure changes throughout the day based on activity, so having hypertension means that your blood pressure is consistently […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees they may not use USPS property for any unauthorized purpose. Misusing postal property violates federal ethics rules and can result in discipline, such as fines, garnishment of wages and termination. Examples of misused items include: • Postal-issued cellphones. Don’t use them for outside business or to send or store […]
Eric E. Henry has been named Central Area vice president, a role he has filled on an acting basis since July. As vice president, Henry will be responsible for improving the customer experience, using technology and analytics, as well as increasing employee engagement. In a memo last week announcing the appointment, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy […]
“Royal mail” was a beautiful story about Jalayne Sutherland, a toddler in Kentucky who received a letter from Windsor Castle after she dressed as Queen Elizabeth II for Halloween. This story put joy in my heart and a smile on my face. […]
In his latest video message, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy thanks employees for their work during the recent holiday season. The Postal Service accepted more than 13.2 billion letters, cards, flats and packages between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, up from 12.7 billion during the same period one year earlier. DeJoy also reports the organization has […]
Scanning snapshot. A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.84 percent during the week ending Jan. 21, down 0.37 percent from one week earlier. The data was collected Jan. 26. Central led the four areas with a rating of 97.13 percent, while Atlantic ranked last with a 96.36 percent rating. […]