Wednesday • November13

Smart Business Moment

Personal Hospitality

It's OK to Invite the Boss

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Personal Hospitality

It’s OK to Invite the Boss

Postal employees sometimes throw parties for friends and acquaintances, and sometimes they want to invite coworkers who might not be at the same pay level. If it’s an occasional thing, it’s OK.
Go ahead and invite your manager to your house for dinner over the holidays or a backyard cookout. And if your manager extends such an invitation to you, it’s OK to bring a reasonably priced gift in connection with hospitality, such as a bottle of wine.

Gifts to a superior or higher-paid employee can result in favoritism allegations and grievances — seeking guidance on gifts between employees can help you avoid any issues.

And that’s smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for guidance on gifts between employees.

Alternate business moment

Discounts and Similar Benefits

Don't Take it Personally

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Discounts and Similar Benefits

Don’t Take it Personally

Postal Service employees may accept reduced membership or other fees offered to all federal government employees if the only restriction relates to professional qualifications.

Accepting a discount offered to all federal government employees rather than only to you as a postal employee maintains the Postal Service’s reputation that our employees can’t be bribed to obtain a business advantage.

And that’s smart business.
Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for guidance on gifts.

Smart Safety Moment

Dog bite prevention

Be on weekend yard watch.

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Dog bite prevention

Be on weekend yard watch.

On Saturdays deliver parcels on park and loop splits before delivering mail in order to look for unsecured dogs in front yards with their owners. Honk and wave to the residents, let them know you’ll be back around with the mail soon and ask for the dog to be secured.

Put your foot on the door when delivering accountable mail or attempting parcels to prevent dogs from getting out of the house. If it’s a screen door, call out “Postal Service mail delivery – please secure your dog,” ring the bell and step back.

All dogs bite! Following dog bite prevention procedures prevent injury and emotional distress.

And that’s smart safety!

For additional information or guidance, contact your safety office.

Alternate safety moment

Computer monitors

Consider your point of view.

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Computer monitors

Consider your point of view.

When working at a computer, adjust your monitor screen so it’s a suitable distance from your eyes with the top of the screen at, or a little below, eye level. Specific monitor placement depends on what works best for you. Position the screen to avoid glare. Adjust image color, brightness and contrast. When possible, select a white or light background screen color and a dark color for text. This helps to reduce glare and reflections from overhead lights and light-colored clothing. Clean your screen periodically to get rid of smudges and dust.

Adjusting your monitor and screen settings will prevent eye and neck strain and enable you to be more productive.

And that’s smart safety!

For additional information or guidance, contact your safety office.

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