Kaetherine Grabowski, Chapel Hill, NC
I’m very excited about the Tap Dance stamps that USPS recently announced and look forward to their release! […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
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 […]
Community connections
In a special video message, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and National Association of Letter Carriers President Frederic Rolando celebrate the Customer Connect program passing $3 billion in annualized revenue. Letter carriers have “gone the extra mile, grown the business through great service and helped the organization compete for customers,” DeJoy says in the video. Established […]
Dress warmly
The Postal Service wants employees to dress warmly when working outside during winter weather. To prevent cold-weather-related injuries, three light layers are ideal: • An inner layer for wicking moisture away from your body; • A middle layer to insulate you from the cold; and • An outer layer that repels wind, snow and rain […]
Gift of time
If you want to contribute to the Combined Federal Campaign but your budget is tight after the holidays, don’t worry. There are other ways to give. The campaign, also known as the CFC, allows federal employees, retirees and contractors to contribute to more than 6,000 charitable organizations. Many CFC member charities allow people to pledge […]
Don’t miss out
Is keeping up with Postal Service news one of your resolutions for 2021? Link mobile can help. A mobile-friendly version of the Link website, Link mobile offers news reports, feature stories and informational videos, including the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic. The site is particularly helpful to craft employees and others who don’t have […]
Brian Hassett, Albany, NY
“Call him Mr. Lucky,” the article about Columbus, OH, Mail Expeditor Joseph Clark celebrating 67 years of federal service, was amazing. […]
Stepping up
Letter Carrier Susan Mattson was recently delivering mail in a Jamestown, NY, neighborhood when she spotted trouble at a residence: The front porch was on fire and a boy around 4 years old was standing alone in the doorway. Mattson leaped into action and safely got him out of harm’s way, directing him to stay […]
Power player
One title that William “Butch” Lyle goes by is that of Postmaster in Mary Esther, FL. Another title he has is perhaps a bit more impressive: powerlifter world record holder. Lyle recently participated in the master’s division of the U.S. Powerlifting Association’s National Championship in Columbus, OH. At the competition, he was given three attempts […]
Helping hand
The Postal Service is implementing Office 365, an advanced version of Microsoft Office that will provide employees with new tools and help keep USPS competitive in today’s rapidly evolving business world. Users will have secure access to Office 365 from any Postal Service-issued device, including workstations, smartphones and tablets. Users will be able to access […]
August in season
Stages around the country may be shuttered at the moment, but you can still experience the artistry of playwright August Wilson, the latest Black Heritage stamp honoree. Two new films on Netflix reflect Wilson’s legacy: “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” an adaptation of his 1984 Broadway hit of the same name; and “Giving Voice,” a documentary […]
Masked and answered
“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: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should wash your hands before putting on a face mask. a) True b) False 2. Which HERO feature […]
Don’t be blindsided
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to learn more about the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve, which can cause vision loss and blindness. According to the National Institutes of Health, the most common type of glaucoma in the United States […]