Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Employees can attend seminars on the new Postal Service Health Benefits Program
The virtual sessions will be held throughout the year
USPS is holding a series of virtual seminars on the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program that takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.
PSHB is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
USPS employees, annuitants and eligible family members are required to enroll in this new program.
The seminars are being held on designated Tuesdays and Thursdays through early December.
The Tuesday seminars are for employees only, while the Thursday sessions are available for employees and annuitants.
The Tuesday seminars are scheduled for May 7, May 21, June 4, June 18, July 2, July 16, July 30, Aug. 13, Aug. 27, Sept. 10, Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3.
The Thursday seminars are scheduled for May 2, May 16, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 22, Sept. 5, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 17, Oct. 31, Nov. 14 and Dec. 5.
The Tuesday seminars will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern, while the Thursday sessions will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern and from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern.
The MyHR website has more information, including the Zoom links and passcodes to participate.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees can also receive updates by texting “PSHBP” to 39369.
Heroes
Out of the cold
A rural carrier helped a customer who was stranded after a fall
Rural Carrier John Kooyenga was delivering mail in Clifton, IL, on a bitterly cold day in January when he saw a customer on the ground near a residence.
The 85-year-old man, who lives in a remote area, had been stranded for more than an hour after taking a tumble and losing his cellphone in a snowbank. He was unable to stand on his own.
Kooyenga helped the customer get inside and warm up. The man declined medical treatment, but he contacted the local newspaper, which published a story about the rescue — much to the surprise of Kooyenga’s co-workers.
“John is very modest and had not mentioned his heroic actions that day,” said local Postmaster Pamela Schubbe. “We were all a bit caught off guard but not surprised once we realized it was John.”
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Milestones
Appointments, awards and more
Here’s a look at recent USPS announcements
• Jake R. Campbell was named processing insights and optimization director. He previously served as letter flat planning and implementation executive manager.
• Wendy K. Daniels was named customer experience and strategy director. She previously served as enterprise customer care support manager, a position now held by Kevin R. Bankston. He previously served as customer experience measurement and analytics manager.
• Earl A. Husbands, Illinois 2 District’s consumer affairs manager, received a Chief FOIA Officer’s Award for his efforts to help the Postal Service respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.
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