Aileen Kirts, Potomac, IL
“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. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
On the map
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 […]
Lauding leaders
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. […]
Don’t sleep
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 […]
Preventing injuries
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 […]
Ox marks the spot
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 […]
Cold hands, warm hearts
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 […]
Elizabeth Lucas, Salt Lake City, UT
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.” […]
Play by play
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 […]
Good medicine
“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. […]
Online checklist
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 […]
Kaetherine Grabowski, Chapel Hill, NC
I’m very excited about the Tap Dance stamps that USPS recently announced and look forward to their release! […]
Stay healthy
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 […]
Price changes
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, […]
Special needs
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 […]
Federal forms
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 […]
Clemen Baladad, Santa Clarita, CA
Just a Kind Note, the project highlighted in “Hopeful messages,” is a simple, beautiful way to spread kindness. […]
Scanning snapshot
A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.09 percent during the week ending Jan. 15, down almost half a percentage point from one week earlier. The data was collected Jan. 20. Western Pacific led the four areas with a rating of 96.96 percent, while Atlantic ranked fourth with a 94.96 […]
Passwords are so 2020
Uncomplicated passwords — like ABCDEFG and 1234abcd — might be simple to remember, but they’re very easy for hackers to guess. In fact, among all accounts breached worldwide last year, 123456 was the password used by 23.2 million people, according to the National Cyber Security Centre in the United Kingdom. It’s little wonder that online […]
Required learning
Two of the seven training courses that Postal Service employees are required to complete each year are now available. The courses are part of the organization’s Regulatory Compliance Training program, which was previously known as Strategic Learning Initiatives. The training is intended to help USPS achieve its objectives and satisfy compliance with legal requirements. The […]
New VP
Sheila B. Holman joined the Postal Service last week as marketing vice president, overseeing branding, industry engagement, innovation and marketing insights, and stamps. Holman will also support the Retail and Delivery, Logistics and Processing Operations, and Commerce and Business Solutions organizations that are concentrated on improving efficiency and driving business growth. Her other duties will […]
COVID-19 vaccines
The Postal Service is updating employees on the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. The organization’s goal is for everyone to be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible if they choose to do so. Currently, the supply of vaccines in the United States is limited, but more vaccines should become available soon. The […]
Super-advisor
Macedonia, OH, Customer Services Supervisor Somica Butler was on duty recently in Grand River, a village 40 miles away, when she got a call from a concerned colleague. An employee in Macedonia who wasn’t feeling well had left work early, and the colleague was worried about the man’s well-being. Butler tried unsuccessfully to reach the […]
Richard Ripke, Bethpage, NY
The story about Mary Esther, FL Postmaster William “Butch” Lyle becoming a powerlifter world record holder is good stuff. […]
Love is all around
The Postal Service dedicated this year’s Love stamp Jan. 14 during a virtual ceremony that highlighted a Colorado community that bills itself as the nation’s “Sweetheart City.” For 75 years, Loveland — a city of 66,000 residents located about 45 miles north of Denver — has operated its internationally renowned Valentine Remailing Program. Every year, […]
Mail safety
The Postal Service wants employees to remain vigilant about mail safety. If you encounter a suspicious mailpiece, remember the three Ps: • Package. Don’t bag it, containerize it or send it to another location. Leave it where it is and isolate the area. • People. Clear people from the area and immediately notify a supervisor. […]
‘Retirement 101’
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar on preparing to use their health benefits during retirement. The session, “Retirement 101,” will be held Thursday, Jan. 21, at noon EST. Aetna will conduct the webinar, which will provide a better understanding of how health retirement benefits might work nationwide and overseas. Tools and resources […]
In due time
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Many Combined Federal Campaign member charities allow people to pledge volunteer hours instead of financial contributions. a) True b) False 2. Fill in the blank: Two months — […]
Connie James, Carrabelle, FL
Congratulations to William “Butch” Lyle, the Mary Esther, FL, Postmaster profiled in “Power player,” on becoming a powerlifter world record holder. Awesome job! […]
In the mail
The Postal Service is reminding employees that customers are permitted to send certain hemp-based products in the mail when in compliance with all applicable laws. A cannabis-derived substance with tetrahydrocannabinol content of 0.3 percent or less is legally hemp. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in the flower resin of cannabis plants, which include hemp […]