Friday • August14

Smart Business Moment

Encouraging Development

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Encouraging Development

Be a grow pro.

Development requires commitment — from both manager and employee. Each employee is a unique individual. Each person may need, respond to, or value developmental encouragement differently. It starts with an understanding, followed by a commitment.

Help me grow.

And that’s smart business.

Alternate business moment

Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse

Search for responsive records first.

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2026ET3-311don’tputthecartbeforethehorse

Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse

Search for responsive records first.

When you receive a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the search for responsive records comes first.

Even if you think the records should not be released to the requester, the FOIA still requires us to conduct an adequate search for responsive records.

Failure to conduct an adequate search for records is the # 1 issue challenged on appeal and in U.S. District Court.

Searching for records in response to a FOIA request the first time saves countless work hours spent on FOIA lawsuits. And that’s smart business.

Contact the Privacy and Records Management Office or your Area Law Office for guidance.

Smart Safety Moment

Emergency action plans

There has to be a plan.

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2026ssm-emergencyactionplans

Emergency action plans

There has to be a plan.

Each facility with 10 or more employees must develop an emergency action plan that includes:

Emergency escape routes.
Procedures for emergency evacuation team members who contact fire and EMS and remain in the building to assist with the evacuation.
Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation.
A means of reporting a fire or other emergencies.
Names and titles of individuals who can be contacted for further information.
Types of evacuation to be used.
Employee training.
Review the plan carefully with your employees and post it.

And that’s smart safety!

For additional information or guidance, contact your safety office.

Alternate safety moment

Hazardous chemicals

Understand the danger, by degree.

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2026ssm-hazardouschemicals

Hazardous chemicals

Understand the danger, by degree.

Signal words on product labels help identify and compare the hazard potential of chemicals. DANGER is printed on a red background and identifies a high degree of hazard. WARNING is printed on an orange background and identifies a moderate degree of hazard. CAUTION is printed on a yellow background and identifies a reduced hazard.

USPS ensures employees get information on hazardous chemicals used in their work areas and that the information is communicated in a way they understand.

And that’s smart safety!

For additional information or guidance, contact your safety office.

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Your Smart Business Moment and Your Smart Safety Moment.

Smart Business Moment