The Postal Service is reminding employees that plugging smartphones, unapproved thumb drives, e-cigarettes and other personal devices into USPS computers violates the organization’s security policies. Plugging unauthorized devices into postal equipment runs the risk of inadvertently transferring malicious software, which could disable computers and allow hackers to gain access to the organization’s network. To protect […]
Lisa Walker was recently presented with the prestigious Patriot Award in recognition of her ongoing support of Postal Service employees who serve in the National Guard. Walker, a supervisor at the Carol Stream, IL, Vehicle Maintenance Facility, was nominated by Tool and Parts Clerk Zavala Deangelo, a veteran who serves in the guard. “To be […]
John Vick is an employee you can count on. Co-workers sometimes joke that the letter carrier is practically “part of the fixtures” at Brevoort Station in Brooklyn, NY. Even his wife gets in on the act. “My wife always teases me that I’m married to the Post Office,” Vick said with a laugh. The reason […]
Letter Carrier Syreeta Frasier was delivering mail on a January day in a New Haven, CT, neighborhood when she spotted a toddler wandering alone. As the girl got closer, Frasier saw that she was wet, bruised and bloody. The Postal Service employee rushed to the child’s aid and enlisted a customer nearby to assist. They […]
I love reading Link’s “Heroes’ Corner” column. I’m proud to have so many co-workers who go above and beyond to help their customers, neighbors and colleagues. […]
Like a lot of Postal Service employees, Scot Grossnicklaus relies on the U.S. Mail for his tax-filing needs. This year, the process worked better than ever — thanks to Informed Delivery. Grossnicklaus, a Portland, OR, letter carrier, signed up for the mail notification service at the urging of a co-worker. A few weeks ago, he […]
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.69 percent during the week ending April 5, down from one week earlier. Western (98.08 percent) led the areas, while Dakotas (99.24 percent) topped the districts. Scanning allows customers to track their packages and mail, and it helps USPS improve efficiency and network management. To see […]
The Postal Service is making it easier for you to provide the organization with your current contact information. USPS requires you to keep your mailing address and other information up to date so you can receive communications about payroll, health benefits, tax changes and other important topics. You can now use the new Life Changes […]
USPS is beginning its twice-yearly update of Handbook AS-805, Information Security Policy. This handbook contains policies that govern the use of the information technology assets and protocols that help guide the Postal Service’s comprehensive response to incidents of cybercrime and technology misuse. These policies and protocols help protect the interests of USPS, its employees, business […]
Rural Carrier Christopher Ahern was delivering mail on a January day in Wiscasset, ME, when he spotted an older man sitting in a snowbank, waving at him. With temperatures hovering around 12 degrees, Ahern immediately stopped to check on the man, who was disoriented and inadequately dressed for the frigid weather. The Postal Service employee […]
The Postal Service has implemented USPS Returns for business mailers, the first phase of a new package platform for automating postage assessment, sampling and payment. USPS Returns uses recent mail processing equipment upgrades to streamline package weighing, measuring, scanning and payment calculations. The platform also allows customers to be charged electronically through their Enterprise Payment […]
For many years, the easiest way to mail a letter in many big buildings was to drop it down the chute. Mail chutes were to urban high-rises what curbside mailboxes are to suburban residential neighborhoods. In a recent tribute to the chutes, Crain’s New York, a business publication, recalled how they allowed building residents “to […]
The Postal Service is offering mandatory security training courses for Payment Card Industry (PCI) and Corporate Developers Directory (CDR) registered application developers. Developers must log into the HERO learning portal to complete the training. Here’s an overview of the courses: • Web Developer. These courses focus on the Open Web Application Security Project. Completion deadline: […]
Link is seeking suggestions for “Best Practices,” a regular column in which USPS employees share tips on workplace topics. For example, “Best Practices” in recent months has featured: A retail associate who offered hints on promoting stamps to customers A letter carrier who discussed the value of dressing smartly for work A Postmaster who shared […]
A mural in the former Post Office in Rockville, MD, is one of five from across the nation to be featured in the new Post Office Murals stamp release. The “Sugarloaf Mountain” mural was painted in 1940 by Judson Smith (1880-1962). The oil-on-canvas painting depicts a mountain visible from Rockville with farm fields in the […]
Rural Carrier Tanya Morris was recently delivering mail in Perry, GA, when she spotted smoke pouring out of a customer’s home. Morris immediately called 911 and alerted neighbors, who converged on the scene to check on the homeowner, who is disabled and couldn’t escape on his own. The neighbors pulled the man to safety through […]
Thank you for “Understanding and acceptance,” the article about World Autism Awareness Day — a topic that is near and dear to my heart. My son was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome as a child. Educating people about developmental disorders is important. […]
Marvin Gaye was honored by USPS this week for his contributions to the Motown sound of the 1960s and R&B music in the 1970s. During the April 2 dedication ceremony for a stamp honoring Gaye in Los Angeles, he was hailed as one of the most influential performers of his generation. “The love the world […]
The Postal Service is marking National Card and Letter Writing Month with a little help from its friends. USPS is collaborating with Scholastic and Hallmark on Show Someone You Care, a program that encourages third-grade and fourth-grade students and their families to send handwritten notes to share love, show thanks and build connections. More than […]
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.71 percent during the week ending March 29, down from one week earlier. Western (98.04 percent) led the areas, while Dakotas (99.14 percent) topped the districts. Scanning allows customers to track their packages and mail, and it helps USPS improve efficiency and network management. To see […]
A mural in the Deming, NM, Post Office is one of five from across the nation to be featured in the new Post Office Murals stamp release. The “Mountains and Yucca” mural was painted in 1937 by Kenneth M. Adams (1892-1966). The 12-foot-wide landscape painting shows yucca and other vegetation in the foreground with local […]
Rural Carrier Associate Michael Dalton was delivering mail earlier this year in North Tazewell, VA, when a customer rushed out of her home and flagged him down. Dalton immediately stopped to assist the distraught woman, who said her son had harmed himself inside their residence. The Postal Service employee called 911 and comforted the customer […]
The importance of delivering excellent customer service is discussed by Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan in her latest “Business Focus” video. “We’re a service organization, and to attract and retain customers and generate profitable revenue, we need to continue to improve the customer experience,” she says. Brennan encourages employees to deliver excellent experiences wherever they […]
Miguel Leon was taught from an early age that it’s important to look your best, especially at work. Leon, a Los Angeles letter carrier, believes that employees should wear proper uniforms and accessories when interacting with customers. “You are representing the Postal Service. It’s always good to look professional,” he says. For Leon, an 11-year […]
World Autism Awareness Day, which seeks to raise awareness about individuals diagnosed with autism, is Tuesday, April 2. Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a complex developmental disability that usually appears during early childhood. The disorder affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. During World Autism Awareness Day, which the […]
A mural in the Anadarko, OK, Post Office is one of five from across the nation to be featured in the new Post Office Murals stamp release. “Kiowas Moving Camp” was painted in 1936 by Native American artist Stephen Mopope (1900-1974). The artwork is one of 16 in the historic Anadarko Post Office that depict […]
Postal Service workers are getting an upgrade of their Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Starting April 1, New Directions Behavioral Health takes over the EAP contract. Current EAP services will remain available and new services will be added. Most of the Postal Service’s EAP consultants and clinicians will continue in their current roles. EAP remains voluntary […]
Letter Carrier Jeffrey Vollmar was recently delivering mail in a Freehold, NJ, neighborhood when an older customer needed emergency assistance. The man stumbled while walking to his car and struck his head on pavement. Vollmar heard the customer moaning and asking for help, so he rushed to the man’s side and enlisted a neighbor outside […]
I really appreciated Link’s article on advanced annual leave. I now understand this benefit better. […]
My name is Harris London, and I’m a telephone operator at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. I spend my day answering calls from the public and helping to resolve customers’ problems. My workday starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Most calls come from consumers. I look up each caller’s district and connect […]