More than 2,700 Postal Service employees participated in the Worldwide Wellness challenge, an initiative that demonstrated how small steps can lead to big, positive changes. The challenge, conducted in cooperation with the Government Employees Health Association, ran from Sept. 13-Oct. 24. The goal was to encourage healthy behaviors as participants virtually traveled the globe and […]
Link is looking back at the year in “Heroes’ Corner” with a countdown of the 10 most-viewed articles. Coming in at No. 5 is “She’s a saint,” the story of Kelli St. Dennis. The highway contract route relief carrier was delivering mail in a Garden Valley, CA, subdivision when she spotted something unusual: Cash totaling […]
“The List” column highlighting 10 facts about the Postal Service is very good. I learned some great information. […]
The Postal Service has adjusted its postage refund policy for Priority Mail Express packages and envelopes sent from Dec. 22-25. Under the adjusted policy, postage for Priority Mail Express will not be refunded unless the first delivery attempt or delivery occurs more than two delivery days after the acceptance scan. To submit a refund request at […]
The Postal Service’s busiest week of the holiday season is underway — and if you need help to get through the next few days, there’s plenty available. The USPS Holiday Newsroom website has fact sheets, recommended mailing and shipping dates, information on the USPS Operation Santa and the Greetings from the North Pole programs, and […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. By how much did USPS shipping and package revenue grow during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30? a) 3.4 percent b) 3.5 percent c) 4.9 percent d) 12.2 percent 2. […]
The Hollygrams, highlighted in “Holly’s hobby,” are a wonderful idea. Encouraging colleagues during peak season, the Postal Service’s most hectic time of the year, can make someone’s day. […]
Dec. 13 kicks off what is expected to be the busiest week of the year for the Postal Service, the peak of peak season. Nearly 2.3 billion First-Class Mail pieces, including greeting cards and packages, are expected to be processed and delivered this week. The organization, which is encouraging customers to use usps.com for at-home […]
Scammers never take a holiday — and this is their favorite time of year. Undeterred by the coronavirus pandemic and inflation, consumers are projected to spend up to $1.3 trillion between November and January, which makes the holidays a prime time for online scams. Here are two to watch out for: • Package delivery scams: […]
The Postal Service offers counseling and other services during the holidays — and all year long — through the USPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP). If you need to talk to someone, you can call EAP’s toll-free number at 800-327-4968 (800-EAP-4YOU). The TTY number is 877-492-7341. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a […]
The USPS Health and Wellness team wants to help employees have a safe, healthy holiday season. Here are some tips: • Follow coronavirus pandemic safety protocols.Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of germs. Continue adhering to social distancing guidelines and wearing face coverings. •Stay safe […]
Link is looking back at the year in “Heroes’ Corner” with a countdown of the 10 most-viewed articles. Coming in at No. 8 is “Dear Abbie,” the story of Abbie Campagna. The retail associate was on duty in Greendale, WI, when she grew concerned about a 91-year-old customer. Over the course of a few days, […]
Reminder: The Postal Service is discontinuing production of its Priority Mail Prepaid Flat Rate Stamped Envelope. The envelope, which is only sold online at usps.com/postalstore, will remain available until January. Customers who currently use Priority Mail Prepaid Flat Rate Stamped Envelopes are encouraged to place orders before supplies are depleted. Once supplies are gone, Priority […]
The Postal Service wants employees to remember to use PostalEASE to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program or the USPS Health Benefits Plan. You can access PostalEASE from the Benefits Enrollment Changes section of the OpenSeason LiteBlue page or by calling the employee service line at 877-477-3273 (select option 1). The Federal Relay Service number is […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Which USPS-licensed Vans sneaker will be released Jan. 20 at Foot Locker? a) Authentic b) Old Skool c) Sk8-Hi MTE-1 d) Sk8-Hi Reissue 2. Through the USPS Pen Pal Project, how […]
My colleagues and I admire Link’s clever headlines. It’s almost become a game to spot the pop culture references and puns that color each edition. Thank you for brightening our days. […]
A new Informed Visibility tool allows users to see the number of packages small and midsize commercial mailers are adding to the mailstream. Called the Customer Visibility Dashboard, or CVD, the tool leverages data from mailer manifests. This data provides USPS plant and facility managers and supervisors with the information needed to make staffing decisions, […]
Now that the holiday season is here, some Postal Service teams may be planning festive events that involve employees gathering to share food and drinks in a plant or delivery unit. While there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted by food or drinks, close contact between individuals does increase the risk of spreading the […]
The Postal Service wants to remind all workers that it is important to complete or update beneficiary information as soon as possible. This simple task takes just a minute or two and can save a lot of heartache down the line. The Life Changes LiteBlue page, a one-stop shop for updating employee information, makes it […]
The USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) completed more than 1,500 investigations during the six-month period that ended Sept. 30. These investigations led to 520 arrests and more than $70 million in fines, restitutions and recoveries. This amount includes $17 million that was returned to the Postal Service. The data is included in […]
City Carrier Assistant Maria Corey was recently making deliveries in Marion, IA, when she witnessed a two-vehicle accident that left a woman and her child injured. While another witness called 911, Corey rushed to help the duo. She rendered first aid to the unconscious little boy and comforted his mother until emergency responders arrived and […]
USPS reported mixed results for fiscal year 2021, but fully enacting the Delivering for America plan will help put the organization back in the black, Chief Financial Officer Joe Corbett says in his latest “Dollars and Change” video. For fiscal year 2021 (Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021), total revenue was $77.1 billion, with total expenses […]
Do you know the difference between a deductible and a copayment? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Many people are confused by health insurance terminology. To help you navigate your way through this year’s open season benefits enrollment period, here are some important definitions: • Deductible: The amount you pay for covered health care services […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. How many packages does the Postal Service expect to deliver this holiday season? a) 800-900 million b) 825-925 million c) 850-950 million d) 875-975 million 2. President Joe Biden recently announced […]
The Postal Service has released a video that reminds employees of the importance of the open season benefits enrollment period. The video — “2021 Open Season,” available on LiteBlue — notes that employees’ circumstances may change from year to year. For example, some employees may want to add a dependent to their plan, […]
The Postal Service is reminding managers and supervisors to only grant the minimum privileges in eAccess necessary for employees and contractors to do their work. The eAccess application provides entry to important USPS systems. Controlling user access to these systems is vital to protecting the organization’s computer network. Access to a system or resource should […]
It’s time to deck the halls with Holly. The cheerful elf for the USPS Operation Santa program is back and appears in a series of new seasonal “Hollygram” messages. The Postal Service introduced Hollygrams last year to help spread cheer throughout its workplace. The organization has again created templates that employees can use to send […]
Pledging a gift through the Combined Federal Campaign on Nov. 30, also known as Giving Tuesday, benefits two forces for good — and that’s on top of the benefit to your chosen charity. Giving Tuesday began in 2012 and is observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. What started as a local endeavor in New York […]
A USPS-inspired line of footwear and apparel from Vans will be available in stores and online this week. The products will generate revenue for the Postal Service and help customers show their appreciation for the organization. In announcing the licensing deal, Vans praised the dedication of postal employees, saying there’s “an inherent sense of hardiness […]
President Joe Biden has announced his intention to nominate two individuals to serve on the Postal Service Board of Governors: • Derek T. Kan, former deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget during the Trump administration; and • Daniel M. Tangherlini, former administrator of the General Services Administration during the Obama administration. […]