Monday • January26

Smart Business Moment

Hiring a Relative for a Local Buy Contract

Don't hire Uncle Joe to cut the lawn at your Post Office.

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Hiring a Relative for a Local Buy Contract

Don’t hire Uncle Joe to cut the lawn at your Post Office.

You can’t hire your relative or the relative of a postal employee for cleaning, lawn care, snow removal or maintenance contracts.
The Postal Service doesn’t enter in to contracts with postal employees or their family members. Refer to the Postal Service’s Supplying Principles and Practices and the Administrative Support Manual.

When you don’t award a local buy contract to your family member, you maintain the integrity and reputation of the Postal Service as a fair and honest organization.

And that’s smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for guidance.

Alternate business moment

Sensitive Information

What’s in your trash?

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Sensitive Information

What’s in your trash?

If it’s a wadded up piece of paper with sensitive or sensitive-enhanced information, you’re doing something wrong. Properly dispose of this information when no longer needed. Cross-shred documents or lock them in a file cabinet or desk drawer.
Follow USPS data and legal retention requirements. The information is available in Handbook AS-805-Information Security.

The Postal Service takes pride in maintaining public trust and protecting employee and business customer information.

And that’s smart business.

Smart Safety Moment

Storm ready

First flakes falling?

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Storm ready

First flakes falling?

Before winter arrives, add the following supplies to your emergency kit:

Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Sand to improve traction.
Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
Sufficient heating fuel. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.

Restock your emergency supplies before the next storm hits.

And that’s smart safety!

For additional information or guidance, contact your safety office.

Alternate safety moment

Fire safety

Free-range sprinklers are essential.

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Fire safety

Free-range sprinklers are essential.

Furniture and tall stacks of materials can block the range of fire sprinklers, reducing their effectiveness in the event of an emergency. Don’t place objects higher than 18 inches below sprinkler heads. Never store items along an emergency exit route. Don’t prop a fire door open, with something like a garbage can or chair — that creates a significant fire hazard.

Keeping fire doors closed and sprinklers clear can help save lives and reduce fire damage, as well as the financial costs from OSHA fines.

And that’s smart safety!

For additional information or guidance, contact your safety office.

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Smart Business Moment