Wednesday • December16

Smart Business Moment

FOIA Requests Must Reasonably Describe the Records Sought

A FOIA request is invalid if vague or overly broad

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FOIA Requests Must Reasonably Describe the Records Sought

A FOIA request is invalid if vague or overly broad

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request may be deemed improper if it does not reasonably describe the records sought. For example, if someone submits a FOIA request for “all records about me,” this would be too broad and vague to process.

A request reasonably describes the records sought if it enables the records custodian to determine precisely what records are being requested and locate them with a reasonable amount of effort.

Confirming that a request meets the FOIA’s reasonably described records requirement before processing it further saves the Postal Service™ time and money.

And that’s smart business.

For more information, please see Handbook AS-353, Guide to Privacy, the Freedom of Information Act, and Records Management, Section 4.4.9.a:
https://about.usps.com/policy/as353_pol.pdf

Alternate business moment

SOX Compliance

Everyone Has a Role in Financial Reporting

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SOX Compliance

Everyone Has a Role in Financial Reporting

As a postal employee, you’re required to follow all internal controls that ensure the accuracy of USPS financial statements.

It helps protect the postal brand in the eyes of our customers on whom our livelihood depends.

And that’s smart business.

Learn more about SOX compliance at: https://blue.usps.gov/sox/sox-overview.htm

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

Sleeping habits

Avoid the sheep head count.

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2026ssm-sleepinghabits

Sleeping habits

Avoid the sheep head count.

We often sacrifice sleep, not realizing that sleep is vital to our well-being. It promotes physical health, longevity and emotional well-being. After a good night’s sleep, you feel better, your thoughts and decision making are clearer, and your emotions are less fragile.

Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Getting sufficient sleep is not a luxury but essential for your health, safety and quality of life.

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