Joe Lavoie takes heat safety seriously. The longtime letter carrier delivers mail and packages in Bakersfield, CA, where summertime temperatures are often in the 100s. “It does get hot here,” Lavoie says. To protect himself, he follows the guidelines that USPS provides employees who work in hot weather. Here are the tips: • Hydrate before, […]
The Art of Magic, a pane and souvenir sheet that celebrate magicians and the seemingly impossible illusions they create, will be released Tuesday, Aug. 7. The stamps honor an art form that has entertained people for centuries. Illusions include mental phenomena, defiance of natural laws, and transformation, among other types. The 20-stamp pane features five […]
After reading “Wish you were here,” the article about how people used postcards to send quick messages to loved ones, I thought about my mom and dad, who recently moved to a retirement community. I send them postcards about twice a week to help keep in touch. It’s fun to find antique, funny or interesting cards […]
Letter Carrier Tommy Daniels was recently delivering mail in Mesquite, TX, when he encountered an older customer who’d fallen while watering plants in her front yard. The woman — who was muddy, shaken and concerned about putting weight on her knee replacements — wanted her husband’s help, but she’d been unable to get his attention […]
The Postal Service has introduced a system to improve the way you receive training, enter performance goals, apply for job openings and perform other career development activities. HERO, formerly known as the Integrated Human Resources System, will be a single platform that replaces several “legacy” platforms, including the Learning Management System, eCareer, eIDP, the Performance […]
The Postal Service has announced release dates for this year’s holiday stamps, along with the cities where the dedication ceremonies will be held: Madonna and Child by Bachiacca, Wednesday, Oct. 3, Santa Fe, NM Kwanzaa, Wednesday, Oct. 10, Raleigh, NC Sparkling Holidays, Thursday, Oct. 11, Pigeon Forge, TN Hanukkah, Tuesday, Oct. 16, Newport, RI The […]
Gary McClellan takes recycling seriously. McClellan, a custodian at the Baltimore Processing and Distribution Center, recognizes recycling as a way to both protect the environment and reduce costs. He helps his facility recycle a range of materials, including cardboard and plastics, as well as paper products like undeliverable marketing mail, a special area of focus. […]
Do you remember the Hatch Act’s rules on social media? If not, here’s another look at what you should know. • First things first: The Hatch Act exists to protect you. The law, which dates to 1939, aims to keep politics out of federal workplaces. Specifically, the Hatch Act establishes rules to prevent federal employees from […]
Letter Carrier Dottie Wickham was delivering mail on a snowy day in Zanesville, OH, this year when she spotted a 2-year-old boy in distress outside a residence. The toddler — who was wearing only a T-shirt, shorts and shoes — cried out to Wickham as she reached the front porch. She immediately took off her […]
I enjoyed “Safe!”, the article that detailed the Postal Inspection Service’s important role in protecting mail and packages at the recent All-Star Game in Washington, DC. […]
The Postal Service is working with universities to teach the nation’s future business leaders how to effectively use direct mail in marketing campaigns. USPS is rolling out the initiative at Bentley University in Waltham, MA, and Clemson University in Clemson, SC, where students are gaining hands-on experience with Irresistible Mail, a program that encourages businesses […]
Vadessa Hernandez understands the value of teamwork. The Brooklyn, NY, retail associate is on a detail assignment as an acting retail specialist for Northeast Area’s Triboro District. In this role, she helps oversee retail activities at more than 140 Post Offices. “I’m only as successful as my team. We build each other up. We balance […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees about the Environmental Tool Kit (ETK), an online application to help them manage environmental data and comply with environmental regulations. Through ETK, employees can manage information about their facility’s regulated activities and systems, including permits, registrations and implementation plans. This can help employees ensure records are accessible and up […]
Humblebragging about vacations and fancy meals is common on social media, but a recent retrospective on postcards is a reminder that the phenomenon isn’t new. Before Facebook and Instagram, postcards were how family and friends on holiday sent quick messages to each other. “People often like to brag a little. People went vacationing and sent […]
Gerry Papariella, the master facilitator featured in “Lesson plans,” was my instructor when I became a lead retail associate last year. She’s a positive and extremely informative instructor. […]
Retail Associate Deborah Alton was recently on duty at the Walkersville, WV, Post Office when she noticed that a customer in the parking lot was in medical distress. Alton rushed to aid the woman, who was unconscious in a vehicle with the door open, and called 911. The customer came to and said she suspected […]
Postal Service employees are continuing to learn about the Hatch Act. The long-standing law prohibits 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. In a new message, USPS is highlighting the real-life case of “Sandy” — […]
Greg Hokum doesn’t just deliver the mail each day. The Tacoma, WA, letter carrier takes pride in delivering excellent service, too. “I’ve always believed that a job worth doing is worth doing right,” he says. Hokum joined the Postal Service 13 years ago as a seasonal casual worker. He eventually became a letter carrier, and […]
“Informed Delivery Amplifies Mail Reach,” a new video on YouTube, features business customers discussing the advantages of using the mail notification service. “Informed Delivery gives brands [more] chances to deliver their message and inspire action,” says Chris Macdonald, North America president for McCann Worldgroup, a global advertising agency network. The 2-minute video is one of […]
Times are changing. The Postal Service is changing the hours for its Time and Attendance Collection System (TACS) Help Desk. Beginning Saturday, July 21, the hours of operation will be from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Central time, Monday-Saturday. The TACS Help Desk is closed Sundays. If you have questions after hours, call 855-411-8227 to leave a […]
Letter Carrier Roger Carlson was recently making deliveries in St. Marys, PA, when he grew worried that a 94-year-old customer’s mail was piling up. Carlson knocked on the woman’s door but got no response, so he contacted her nephew online. Within minutes, the customer was found in medical distress inside her home, and 911 was […]
It was great to see USPS Historian Jenny Lynch profiled “Her story,” the latest article in Link’s “On the job” series. I’m incredibly thankful for the important work she and her team accomplish in both preserving and telling postal stories. […]
A letter written in 1918 by a World War I soldier has been returned to his family, thanks to a history lover and his son. After being injured while escaping a sinking naval ship, Charles Wetherington ended up in a Northern Ireland hospital, where he mailed the letter to his father in Lenox, GA. Decades […]
Danielle Gelston knows her stuff. The Butler, PA, retail associate is an expert on USPS products and services and how they can benefit customers. She enjoys delivering this information to the people she serves, especially small-business owners. “A lot of people don’t realize how much stuff we have on usps.com,” Gelston says. “We have a […]
USPS shows how mail can be combined with digital communication to create personalized customer experiences in “Reimagine What Mail Can Do,” a new video on YouTube. The 50-second video highlights Informed Delivery, Informed Visibility, shipping returns and other products and services that help businesses forge stronger relationships with their customers. “The United States Postal Service […]
The Postal Service wants employees to remember the differences between Election Mail and Political Mail. Election Mail refers to mail that allows individuals to participate in the voting process, such as ballots for domestic or international delivery, while Political Mail consists of mailings from registered political candidates, parties and related organizations. There are different tagging requirements for […]
Rural Carrier Julie Hamilton was recently delivering mail on a cold day in Nashville, MI, when she spotted a shoeless, coatless toddler on a dirt road by himself. Hamilton sheltered the 2-year-old boy in her vehicle and contacted the local Postmaster, who called 911. The boy’s father called 911 at the same time, and arrangements […]
I had to laugh when I read “Lap of luxury,” the recent article about mailrooms getting makeovers in high-end apartment buildings. If a landlord charges $5,095 for rent, I hope it includes not only a fancy mailroom, but also maid service and a chauffeur! […]
The natural beauty of the United States was celebrated during a stirring July 4 dedication ceremony for the Postal Service’s new O Beautiful stamps. The 20-stamp sheet features majestic images from across the nation that correspond with lyrics to the patriotic standard “America the Beautiful.” Colorado/Wyoming District Manager Kevin Romero, who led the ceremony, praised the […]
I’m the Postal Service’s historian and also manager of the Corporate Library at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. I’ve worked in this office for more than 26 years — first as a summer intern, then as a temporary clerk, and later as a researcher under contract. I was offered a career position in 2006 and […]