Cathy Doran likes to keep a few four-leaf clovers with her at work. The retail associate at the Oceanport, NJ, Post Office is a bit famous now for her clover collection ever since the local newspaper published a story about her last March. Doran found her first four-leaf clover back in the 1980s, when she […]
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.7 percent during the week ending March 8, down from one week earlier. The top three areas were Eastern (97.89 percent), Western (97.85 percent) and Southern (97.67 percent). The top three districts were Dakotas (99.12 percent), Western Pennsylvania (98.52 percent) and Appalachian (98.37 percent). Scanning allows […]
Postmasters and station managers will soon receive a Business Connect kit to help them host Grow Your Business Day events. These events allow Post Offices to showcase products and services to help local businesses grow and to bring in more revenue for USPS. The kit includes information on ordering Grow Your Business Day invitations and […]
Employees who use USPS-issued mobile devices will soon be required to complete a new cybersecurity training course. The course, ISEC Mobile Devices, will address the proper security measures for smartphones, tablets and similar devices. The course also will cover policy information, best practices and tools to assist in securing the devices. The course became available […]
Letter Carrier Bryan Burton was recently delivering a package to a store in Dayton, OH. At first, no one appeared to be around, but Burton soon discovered a man unconscious on the floor with blood pooling around his head. Burton, a military veteran who trained as a combat medic, immediately rendered first aid to slow […]
Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale’s background, highlighted in the recent article about his appointment, is very impressive. […]
The Postal Service has again been recognized as the top government agency for multicultural business opportunities. This is the eighth consecutive year USPS has received the top Omni50 Award from Omnikal, a social media and networking organization with 2.1 million members. The annual award recognizes agencies that offer opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The […]
Adam Sarmanian is a welcome sight to young students in Revere, MA. The letter carrier visits local elementary schools to educate both children and staffers on how the Post Office works. “The most important thing you can do is sacrifice some of your time for the good of your community,” says Sarmanian, a 19-year employee. […]
The Postal Service showcases the recent Alabama Statehood stamp dedication ceremony in a new video. “Today, we are celebrating the writing of the constitution for the state of Alabama,” Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle says in the video. “That constitution led to the formation of a state. That state led to great things.” The stamp, the […]
I enjoyed the article about “The Postman,” the children’s book that was returned to a library after being overdue for more than 70 years. […]
Rural Carrier Harley Hamlin was delivering a package to an older customer in Edina, MO, one day last August when he spotted the woman on the ground near a shed. Hamlin rushed to her aid and learned that she’d been stranded for a while after falling. The Postal Service employee helped the customer get back […]
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.76 percent during the week ending March 1, up from one week earlier. The top three areas were Western (97.97 percent), Eastern (97.91 percent) and Pacific (97.77 percent). The top three districts were Dakotas (99.07 percent), Western Pennsylvania (98.57 percent) and Central Plains (98.45 percent). Scanning […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees that they aren’t permitted to misuse their position. This means employees cannot: Misuse their title or authority to further any private interest of their own Misuse government information that isn’t readily available to the public for any unauthorized purposes Misuse government property — such as computers, laptops, printers and […]
USPS has introduced a website that features one-stop shopping for small businesses that want to send direct mailings. The site, which went live last week, helps small-business customers create a direct mail campaign in about 15 minutes. Users can access the Every Door Direct Mail platform and choose the type of recipients they wish to […]
I liked “Never too late,” the article about the mail-themed children’s book that was returned to a library 73 years after it was checked out. […]
Rural Carrier Associate Robert Mayfield had a package for an older wheelchair-bound veteran in West Rutland, VT, on a December morning last year. At the man’s apartment door, which he typically leaves open for mail delivery and visiting nurses, Mayfield heard him yelling for help. The Postal Service employee rushed to aid the customer, who […]
New tools. USPS has added new material to the Postal Communicator’s Toolbox, a Blue page that managers can use to help them discuss the organization with employees, customers, journalists and others. The additions include fact sheets and talking points on recent price changes, USPS Board of Governors nominations, illicit drugs in the mail and other […]
The dedication ceremony for the Cactus Flowers stamps is featured in a new Postal Service video. The stamps feature 10 bold images of white, red, pink, orange and yellow cactus flowers in bloom. “These images will go around the world in the weeks to come and introduce people to a very important and beautiful aspect […]
The Postal Service’s focus on customer service is important to Somerset, KY, Postmaster Mike Noritis. Helping his 81 employees feel connected to the mission is job one. “I try to get across to them that whatever it is they do, it is worthwhile to the Post Office,” Noritis says. “I try to break it down: […]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wants USPS and other employees to review their federal income tax withholding. Several tax law changes took effect last year. By checking your withholding now, you can avoid an unexpected bill or penalty at tax time. The IRS offers an online withholding calculator that can help you determine if you should submit a […]
As the Vandalia, OH, Post Office geared up for the holiday season last year, Retail Associate Yusra Bellis learned of several needy children in the community and decided she wanted to make a difference for them. Bellis used her own funds to purchase backpacks, along with contents such as snacks, toiletries and small toys. Letter […]
Buffalo, NY, Business Mail Technician Jack Harzynski demonstrated amazing bravery when he safely intervened to help save a police officer’s life. […]
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.69 percent during the week ending Feb. 22, up from one week earlier. The top three areas were Eastern (97.97 percent), Pacific (97.84 percent) and Great Lakes (97.78 percent). The top three districts were Dakotas (99.16 percent), Central Plains (98.52 percent) and Western Pennsylvania (98.48 percent). […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees that they will soon see an additional fee of $1.60 on their travel itineraries for City Pair Program flights booked and purchased through Omega World Travel. This change takes effect Friday, March 1. Employees should use eTravel to claim the agency fee charged by Omega, just as employees have […]
Postal Service employees across the nation helped mark African-American History Month throughout February. Eastern Area Vice President Joshua Colin addressed high school students in Roanoke, VA, where he discussed how postal careers became sources of economic opportunity for African-Americans in the 19th and 20th centuries. “Working for the Postal Service was a good job to […]
Gary Barksdale has been named the Postal Inspection Service’s chief inspector, effective March 2. Barksdale, a 19-year Inspection Service employee, has served as acting chief inspector since the beginning of the year. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan announced Barksdale’s appointment in a memo this week, praising his work as acting chief inspector. “He has demonstrated […]
Rural Carrier Allyssa Tones had just finished her day recently at the Perry, NY, Post Office when she spotted smoke billowing from the second floor of a building that houses a bowling alley downstairs and apartments upstairs. Tones — who also works part time at the bowling alley — pulled over and rushed to the […]
Tacoma, WA, Letter Carrier Ronald Murphy Jr. put himself in place of his customer when he went the extra mile to deliver a package with care. […]
The Postal Service helped mark Alabama’s bicentennial last week when the organization dedicated a stamp honoring the state. The ceremony, held in Huntsville, featured stirring tributes from state leaders and USPS executives, including Acting Chief Human Resources Officer Isaac Cronkhite. “Alabama has built a rich history grounded in the diversity, tradition and hard work of […]
Dillon Brotzman understands that cybersecurity is a team sport. Brotzman, an information systems specialist in Denver, is a member of CyberSafe Guardians — a team of more than 50 USPS employees who volunteer to be cybersecurity ambassadors at the facilities where they work. “IT security requires everyone’s help to keep the Postal Service’s infrastructure cybersafe,” […]