Inside Blue, the latest #PostalProud initiative, features employees praising the contributions of their colleagues. One of the subjects is Perry, IA, Postmaster Janelle Hall, who received a shout-out for her creative problem-solving. During the holidays, when Hall encountered a retailer’s package that didn’t have a name or address, she put her detective skills to work […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Fill in the blank: Denzel Washington directed, produced and starred in a film adaptation of (blank), a play by this year’s Black Heritage stamp subject, August Wilson. a) “Fences” b) “Ma […]
I loved “Out of the blue,” the article that noted a woman was appointed Postmaster of Laird, CO, in 1907. It just proves how forward thinking and progressive our postal system was in its hiring practices back then. […]
Postal Service facilities should fly the U.S. flag at half-staff to honor Ron Wright, a U.S. representative from Texas who died Feb. 7 after testing positive for the coronavirus. Flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset Feb. 9. To fly the flag at half-staff, hoist the flag to the peak for an instant and […]
Postmasters, managers and customer services supervisors will soon receive a Business Connect kit that offers strategies for promoting USPS products and services to small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration usually celebrates the first week of May as National Small Business week, and Post Offices around the nation hold Grow Your Business Day events throughout […]
If your body aches after a day at the office or in a plant, you need to become familiar with ergonomics. Ergonomics refers to the study of workers, their jobs and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which result from jobs that involve repetitive motion or sitting for long periods. MSDs can result in hand, wrist or neck […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees that misusing USPS property violates the standards of ethical conduct for employees of the executive branch, which applies to postal employees. Misuse occurs when employees use USPS property in an unintended and inappropriate manner. Here are some examples: • Postal-issued cellphones. Don’t use them to complete work for a […]
Hannie and Michael Clark are living — and writing — a love story. The Pleasant Grove, UT, couple operate The Flower Letters, a mail-based subscription service that uses letters and postcards to chronicle a fictional World War II-era romance. Hannie, an author, writes, designs and illustrates the content, while Michael, an entrepreneur, handles the business […]
Menomonee Falls, WI, Rural Carrier Joshua Kannegiesser was making deliveries one day last spring in a neighboring village, Lannon, when he came upon a customer in distress. The woman, who is 69 and has knee problems, had fallen while gardening, and she was exhausted and aching after trying unsuccessfully to stand up. The customer asked […]
Using the Postal Service’s fleet of delivery vehicles to collect geospatial data is an awesome idea. It could provide a more accurate view of roads and neighborhoods. […]
The Postal Service is committed to cultivating a positive and safe work environment that’s free of threats, intimidation, bullying and violence for all employees. To help fulfill this commitment, a threat assessment team is available to respond to threats, assaults and potential violence at all USPS locations. These teams are located at district and area […]
USPS is offering special ReadyPost shipping supplies at select Post Offices, in time for Valentine’s Day. Customers can purchase “Sweet Valentine” decorative box and bubble mailer designs that can be used for gift wrapping as well as mailing. The decorative mailers fit inside Priority Mail boxes, making them an ideal shipping item with added protection. […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Fill in the blank: The Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamp has raised (blank) since its release in 2011. a) $1.6 million b) $6.1 million c) $16 million d) $61 million 2. […]
“Hopeful messages” was a wonderful article about Theresa Harrison, the founder of Just a Kind Note, a project that sends positive messages in the mail to those in need. […]
The Postal Service recently tested the ability of USPS vehicles to collect geospatial data, which can be used for electronic navigation applications and other geospatial-based technologies. During the test, the organization worked with Microsoft, which collects panoramic, three-dimensional imagery of city streets and other locations for Streetside View 360, the company’s mapping program for mobile […]
The Postal Service is inviting employees to submit nominations for the annual Engagement Leader of the Year Awards. The awards honor leaders who are involved, enthusiastic and committed to improving their workplace environments. Leaders — such as Postmasters, supervisors and managers — will be recognized at all levels of the organization, culminating with national honorees. […]
If you use an ACE computer, don’t turn it off. Whether you work remotely or in a Postal Service office, USPS wants all ACE users to always keep their laptops and desktops powered on and connected to the organization’s network. This allows the Postal Service to make overnight and weekend security and software updates, which […]
February is Ergonomics Awareness Month, a time to learn how to prevent musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries in the workplace. MSDs affect one or more parts of the musculoskeletal system, the soft tissue — muscles, tendons and ligaments — and bone structure of the body. Ergonomics evaluates how certain tasks are performed in the workplace to […]
The Postal Service will release the Year of the Ox stamp Feb. 2. The Forever stamp is the second in an updated Lunar New Year series, launched in 2020 to commemorate the traditional Asian holiday celebrated around the world with dragon boat races, fireworks and special food and drink. The image on the stamp is […]
On a frigid afternoon last year, Lake Mills, WI, City Carrier Assistant Megan Mosher was delivering a package to a residence when she made an unexpected discovery: A man was passed out on the floor of the garage, without socks or shoes, wearing a T-shirt. The temperature was about 5 degrees. Mosher motioned for Postmaster […]
The “Star Wars” stamps, announced in a recent Link article, should be released on May 4 because it sounds like “may the Force be with you.” […]
The Postal Service dedicated its August Wilson stamp during a Jan. 28 virtual ceremony where the beloved playwright was hailed for bringing African American drama to theater’s forefront. Stephen McKinley Henderson, who appeared in Broadway productions of “Fences” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” two of Wilson’s best-known plays, praised him for shining a spotlight on […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. True or false: The Postal Service’s new Received at Opening Unit dashboard helps the organization serve pharmaceutical companies that rely on the U.S. Mail to send medication. a) True b) False 2. […]
The Postal Service has a new online application that makes it easier for managers to complete the separation clearance checklists required for employees who are about to retire, resign, transfer or be reassigned. The Employee Management Tool allows managers to complete the separation checklists online for employees who have been properly cleared. The tool, also […]
I’m very excited about the Tap Dance stamps that USPS recently announced and look forward to their release! […]
The Postal Service wants employees to take precautions to avoid frostbite, hypothermia and other winter health hazards. Here’s what you should know: • Frostbite occurs when skin is exposed to extreme cold for long periods and freezes, along with the underlying tissue. The fingers, toes and feet are most commonly affected, but other extremities such […]
The Postal Service has released a video that lists the price changes that took effect Jan. 24. The changes will raise overall Priority Mail service prices approximately 3.5 percent and overall Priority Mail Express service prices 1.2 percent, while Mailing Services product prices will rise approximately 1.7 percent. The video, which USPS released last week, […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors that they are expected to treat all customers with respect and to always offer helpful service. This expectation includes providing prompt and courteous service to customers who may have hearing, visual, physical or mental impairments or language barriers. Although USPS remains a lifeline for millions of people […]
Postal Service employees can now go to PostalEASE to view their federal Form W-2 for calendar year 2020. The organization will also mail each employee their Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, along with their federal Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage. If you need extra copies, you have two options: • Go […]
Just a Kind Note, the project highlighted in “Hopeful messages,” is a simple, beautiful way to spread kindness. […]