Stan Novacki, Merrifield, VA
I enjoyed “Mother lode,” the article about the old postal equipment recovered through the scavenger hunt. It reminded me of when I joined USPS and the technology was a lot less complicated. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
Queen Elizabeth II
This story has been updated. President Joe Biden has ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The queen was monarch and head of state of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and several other countries. She died Sept. 8 after reigning for more than 70 years. USPS […]
Challenge reminder
USPS is reminding employees about the Well Traveled challenge, a six-week interactive program that helps build behaviors for lifelong wellness. Employees can use their personal, nonpostal devices to log into the Well Traveled website or download the program app to track physical activity, access hundreds of recipes, answer trivia and support one another on message […]
Safe spaces
During National Preparedness Month, the Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors to help keep USPS workplaces safe and secure. Employees should always secure entry points when not in use, wear their postal photo ID badge and watch for individuals not wearing badges. To further protect workspaces: • Secure unattended USPS vehicles and trailers. Immediately […]
PSHB preview
USPS and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have published online FAQs about the new Postal Service Health Benefits Program. The program, also known as PSHB, will begin in 2025 and will provide health insurance to eligible Postal Service employees, annuitants and their eligible family members. PSHB is a new program within the Federal Employees […]
Tractor factor
Rural Carrier Kari Kerndt-Hammel was delivering mail one day last fall at a farm in Waukon, IA, when she saw something that alarmed her: A driverless tractor crashed through a fence before coming to a stop in a barnyard. Fearful for the well-being of farmer Don McGraw, Kerndt-Hammel rushed to locate the man, whom she […]
Be prepared
September is National Preparedness Month and the Postal Service is encouraging employees to take time to prepare for emergencies. “Take the time to prepare yourself and your family for disasters because the life and legacy you have built is worth protecting,” said USPS Corporate Affairs Vice President Judy de Torok, who oversees the organization’s continuity […]
Postal Pulse
The latest Postal Pulse results are now available. The annual survey allows employees to share feedback about their work environment and provides leaders with valuable insights toward creating an engaging workplace. The overall engagement score on this year’s survey is 3.31 on a scale of 1 to 5, a decrease of 0.05 from last year’s […]
Twister sister
After a tornado devastated tiny Cushing, TX, in March, Rural Carrier Kami Youngblood was among those who stepped up to help the city of fewer than 700 residents recover. In the storm’s immediate aftermath, Youngblood distributed food, water and other household supplies to families in need. She also carried those items in her postal vehicle […]
Allergy season
During allergy season, Postal Service employees can use their flexible spending account to cover eligible over-the-counter expenses. These include medicine, anti-itch creams, saline sprays and multisymptom eye drops. Many allergy drugs don’t require a doctor’s prescription, making it easier for employees to use their FSAFEDS account on important medical purchases. The FSAFEDS website has a […]
First impressions
Children in Illinois recently had an opportunity to learn more about the mail and the world behind the walls of their neighborhood Post Office. Postmaster Robbie Axsom and his colleagues hosted two field trips from a learning center in Morton. Both Axsom and Customer Services Supervisor Derek Brown showed the children how to scan and […]
Mother lode
Postal Service facilities uncovered $2.57 million worth of hardware during Retail and Delivery’s first Equipment Scavenger Hunt. Approximately 13,700 pieces of unused equipment were identified and returned during the contest, which ran from June 18 to July 8. “Not only will we be able to recycle a large portion of this equipment back into our […]
Used batteries
The Postal Service is reminding employees to follow the proper procedures for the handling, storage and disposal of used batteries. Most used batteries contain hazardous components and cannot be disposed in the trash. These batteries are typically regulated as universal waste and include inoperable batteries from mobile scanners, phones, laptops and other electronic equipment. USPS facilities […]
Put politics aside
USPS wants employees to follow the Hatch Act’s rules on politicking in the workplace. The Hatch Act is a law that prohibits Postal Service 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. These rules apply to activities […]
Joyce’s good choices
Rural Carrier Joyce Williamson was recently delivering mail in Cushing, TX, when she spotted a wildfire that was surrounding a farmer on a tractor. Unable to get the man’s attention by honking her horn, Williamson got out of her vehicle and waved at the farmer until he recognized the danger. He got off his tractor […]
Customer investment
A sales lead from a letter carrier in California has resulted in a local shipping deal worth more than $20,000 for the Postal Service. While delivering mail to a pharmacy on her route, Melanie Sheratte, who works at the Reseda Post Office, took an opportunity to talk with the owner about the Postal Service’s new […]
St. Louis spirit
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy joined postmasters from around the country in St. Louis on Aug. 22 for the sixth national convention of the United Postmasters and Managers of America. DeJoy took the opportunity to address the importance of the Delivering for America plan and to administer the oath of office to 70 newly minted postmasters. […]
Flameout
Letter Carrier Mark Pegram was recently delivering mail in a Jacksonville, FL, neighborhood when he passed a customer leaving a residence. Moments later, Pegram spotted flames leaping from the man’s home. The Postal Service employee called 911 as he ran toward the house and located a garden hose, which he used to extinguish the blaze. […]
Road show
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy visited USPS facilities in Texas and Louisiana recently to meet with employees and customers and update them on the Delivering for America plan. DeJoy discussed the Postal Service’s steady progress in service performance, as well as improvements to the organization’s processing and delivery network. He also highlighted the successful delivery of […]
Rolling with the punches
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar to learn about resilience, the ability to adjust to and overcome challenges. The session, “The Power of Resilience,” will be held Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Jessica Young, a nurse consultant with Blue Cross Blue Shield, will review the role that resilience plays in health […]
Atlantic VP retiring
Salvatore “Sal” N. Vacca, Atlantic Area vice president, is retiring on Oct. 1. Vacca was appointed to the newly created area in August 2020. He oversees 12 districts across 14 states, 128,000 employees and 35.6 million delivery points. Prior to his current role, he was an acting vice president overseeing the former Great Lakes Area; […]
Save Ferris
Rural Carrier Associate Martin Hernandez was recently making deliveries in Ferris, TX, when he came upon a customer who’d fallen in her driveway while being attacked by two dogs. The woman’s wheelchair-bound son was nearby but was unable to successfully intervene, so Hernandez safely ended the attack and called 911. He comforted the customer while […]
SOX deadline
The Postal Service is reminding managers of upcoming deadlines for reviewing employee and contractor access to the organization’s applications and systems. The periodic reviews are required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) accounting law. Managers must perform the reviews using both eAccess and ARIS. The USPS ServiceNow website has instructions for performing both kinds of reviews. […]
Rising to the top
Here’s a look at Postal Service employees who received appointments or recognition recently: • John P. McLucas, the Retail and Delivery Operations Command Center director, was named acting peak coordinator for the chief retail and delivery operations officer’s organization. Walter M. Daniels, delivery capability and proficiency manager, was named the command center’s acting director. • […]
Casting call: Take 2
With mid-September filming right around the corner, the Postal Service is still seeking auditions for its holiday ad campaign. Employees who are selected to participate could be featured in a variety of ads, including TV commercials. The audition is open to all employees. No prior acting experience is required. Note that while the advertising team […]
Fall wellness challenge
The USPS Wellness team is encouraging employees to join the Well Traveled challenge, a six-week interactive program that helps build behaviors for lifelong wellness while virtually traveling the United States. Employees can use their personal, nonpostal devices to log into the Well Traveled website or download the program app to track physical activity, access hundreds […]
Tanks for the reminder
USPS is reminding postal facilities with aboveground storage tanks that monthly visual inspections of the containers are required. Aboveground storage tanks, or ASTs, are used to store oil, antifreeze, heating oil and other hazardous chemicals. The Postal Service could be held liable if chemicals inside the ASTs — which are usually made of fiberglass, plastic […]
More to come
The Postal Service and the General Services Administration will soon offer USAccess government credentialing services at more Post Offices across the nation. The program provides authorized federal employees and contractors with personal identity verification cards for a variety of purposes, such as getting access to federal office buildings. Currently, six Post Office locations offer USAccess […]
Eat smart
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar to learn how to stretch their dollars to provide nutritious and delicious meals on a budget. The session, “Meal Planning for Health, Budget and Time,” will be held Aug. 8 at noon Eastern. Health and wellness representatives from GEHA, a not-for-profit provider of health plans for […]
Watched words
The Postal Service is reminding employees that there are rules that govern speaking, writing or teaching about the organization or their official duties. It is important for the Postal Service to present a single, united message to the public. While employed at USPS, employees are prohibited from: • Profiting off postal information and their job […]