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WEEKLY

ENGAGE Issue 23: Week of Oct. 31

The Postal Pulse is in session

Let your voice be heard

P. 5-6

Q11: Progress

This month’s crossword puzzle

winners

P. 15

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Progress

Q11: Progress

Regular feedback on progress can be a powerful motivator

for performance enhancement. All employees possess

some natural talents in areas in which they perform well.

Great managers learn how to recognize these talents and

provide feedback on how they can translate into specific

behaviors that benefit both the individual and the

organization. Focusing on an employee’s strengths can

help hone and refine the employee’s natural talents and

help him or her grow professionally. More powerful than a

typical formal performance review, regular conversations

about progress are one building block toward healthier

and more trusting manager/employee relationships.

Next Week’s Engagement Challenge:

What ways would you recommend be used to ensure everyone knows what

is expected of them (i.e., morning huddles, weekly meetings)?

Email: engagement@usps.gov

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Quote

of the week

“It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort. When you bring that effort every single

day, that’s where transformation happens.

That’s how change and progress occurs.”

— Anonymous

This Month’s Observances: Native American Heritage Month

Military Family Appreciation Month

National Family Caregivers Month

National Gratitude Month

National Inspirational Role Model’s Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

National Alzheimer’s Disease Month

National Diabetes Month

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The Combined Federal Campaign giving season is here!

Keep an eye out for how you can “show some love” this year with CFC and give back to more than 18,000 organizations nationwide

and right in your community!

Visit the USPS CFC site on Blue: blue.usps.gov/hr/cfc/welcome.htm

or LiteBlue: liteblue.usps.gov/cfc/welcome.htm

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We are in the home stretch!

Deadline to complete: Friday, Nov. 4

Take the survey. It’s quick and easy!

Your supervisor will provide you

with a copy of the survey along

with time to take it on the clock.

At Work

LiteBlue

You can take the survey

online on LiteBlue using a

personal or work

computer.

At Home

You will also receive a copy of the survey to your

home address. It should arrive around Oct. 18.

Email

Non-bargaining

employees will

receive the survey

via email.

There are four ways to take it. If more than one survey is received from an employee, only the first one will be counted by Gallup.

Deadline

is

Nov. 4!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What’s on the survey?

The survey has 13 questions and they are not a surprise. They include an overall satisfaction question and the Q12 elements of engagement. When taking the survey, an employee will rate the following on a scale from one to five:

Q00: How satisfied are you with USPS as a place to work?

Q01: I know what is expected of me at work.

Q02: I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right.

Q03: At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day.

Q04: In the last seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work.

Q05: My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person.

Q06: There is someone at work who encourages my development.

Q07: At work, my opinions seem to count.

Q08: The mission or purpose of my company makes me feel my job is important.

Q09: My associates or fellow employees are committed to doing quality work.

Q10: I have a best friend at work.

Q11: In the last six months, someone at work has talked to me about my progress.

Q12: This last year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow.

Q. How confidential is my survey?

A. Extremely. The survey is conducted by Gallup, a third-party vendor. No member of USPS has access to information that can identify employee responses individually. Gallup adheres to specific rules of conduct, which include strict confidentiality rules in survey administration and reporting. Workplaces with less than five survey respondents will not have their survey results available to protect the confidentiality.

Q. Really? Why is the survey asking me if I have a best friend at work?

A. No. This survey is not asking if your childhood best friend works with you. This question assesses whether your work environment is conducive to fostering healthy and valued relationships amongst employees. A best friend at work can be someone you are close with at work, a confidant, someone you can rely on, or simply someone that looks out for you. Gallup’s research shows that the extreme wording of this question and other questions on the survey, help to sort high-performing teams from low-performing teams.

Q. When will I see the survey results for my workplace?

A. The survey closes Nov. 4. All the results for every single USPS workplace will be released mid-December.

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Nashville Priority Mail Annex employees had a “Hot Dog Hoedown.” Marshell Kennedy, supervisors and lead clerks treated the employees to hot dogs, drinks, side items and cake to let them know they are appreciated. They decided to call it a Hot Dog Hoedown and several of the employees participated and dressed up as if they were going to a real hoedown. This was just one of the many engagement functions they have planned. They have been inspired and will continue efforts to keep engaging employees.

Marshell Kennedy, manager, distribution operations, Nashville, TN

On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Suncoast District Manager Eric Chavez presented Postmaster Robert Gaskin with the Engagement Leader of the Year Award. The United States Postal Service has established employee engagement as a top priority for the organization. The Engagement Leader of the Year Award Program recognizes the most engaging leaders throughout the Postal Service who have exemplified employee engagement. In the first round, there were 67 District Engagement Leaders of the Year selected nationwide. Postmaster Gas-kin is the representative for the Suncoast District. He was chosen because of the letters written by several of his employees at the Zephyrhills Post Office. The criteria for this award is to recognize the leader who was most in-volved in, enthusiastic about, and committed to creating a more engaging culture in their work environment. Congratulations, Rob, and good luck!

Pam West, Suncoast engagement leader, St. Petersburg, FL

#Engaged

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Carrier Richard Clarkson of the Springfield Gardens Station Queens, NY, is a 20 year-employee who has a special gift that he wanted to share with many people. He recently shared his talents and brought awareness to the importance of giving during the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Clark-son created a beautiful mural in the Triboro District cafeteria. He has always had a passion for draw-ing since the age of six. His passion for art and his dedication to USPS is also shared in his illustrated children’s book “Mail Tales: Going Postal” about the Postal Service.

Northeast Area Triboro’s David Rudy, district human resources manager, presents Human Resources Specialist Ramona Sanders with her 35 years of service award.

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On Oct. 12, the Barranquitas Post Office in San Juan, PR, had a baby shower for Contract Custodian Karla Nunez. Postmaster Millie Perez baked homemade cupcakes, and prepared a Pampers cake and flower bouquet.

Top photo: Postmaster Millie Perez with Custodian Karla Nun ez. Second photo of the Barranquitas Post Office employees pictured left to right: Sammy Ayala, Ramon Rodriguez, Nilia Perez, Karla Nunez, Jesus Ortiz, Luis Colon, Nicolas Negron and in the back Norberto Nieves.

Submitted by Millie Perez, Postmaster, San Juan, PR

Baby Time!

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Happy Birthday

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Postal Anniversaries

Retirements

42 Beverly Starks Mail Recovery Clerk Atlanta

20 Salvador Villalpando Automotive technician Redding, CA

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Something new on LiteBlue: a brand new way to submit your celebration

announcements for our weekly newsletter! Simply go to the Employee

Engagement page on LiteBlue to submit your announcement for next week’s

newsletter. Deadline to submit is Sunday, Nov. 6.

Baby Birth

Wedding Anniversaries

Just Married

6 years Jennifer Woods & Justin Woods Jennifer is a postal support employee in Enterprise, MS.

3 years Bhim Timsina & Sumitra Rimal Bhim is a bulk mail entry unit clerk in Harrisburg, PA. Sumitra is a postal support employee also at Harrisburg, PA.

Loura Shoemaker & Chris Settoon Loura is a postal support employee in Laclede, MO.

Samantha Grof & Michael Gordon Samantha is a postal support employee in Sterling, NE.

Bakeel Albadani and Wafa Alabsi welcome Nardeen Bakeel into the world. Bakeel Albadani is a letter carrier in Detroit, MI.

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1-844-303-6424

LiteBlue Suggestion Box

engagement@usps.gov

Creating an Engaging Workplace at

USPS Training course for all USPS

leaders (Executives and EAS)

Upcoming Events

Headquarters

Nov. 7-8 Greensboro, NC

Nov. 9-10 Greensboro, NC

Great Lakes

Nov. 8-9 Peoria, IL

Eastern

Nov. 7-8 Pittsburgh, PA

Nov. 9-10 Pittsburgh, PA

Northeast

Nov. 8-9 Springfield, MA

Western

Nov. 8-9 Tucson, AZ

Classes are subject to change based

on operational needs and holiday.

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Solution to October’s Crossword Puzzle

Oops! We just wanted to make sure you all were engaged enough to catch

the typo on 5 down. It should be “Blankenship.” So that one was a bonus!

Congratulations to this month’s winners!

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October Crossword Winners Theresa Gegen Attorney Dallas

Deirdra Rhodes Postmaster Cocoa, FL

Danielle Ryerson Administrative assistant Hartford, CT

Sherrisa Jeffers Retail associate Kennedyville, MD

Elizabeth Key Purchasing specialist Washington, DC

Shanna Storm Retail associate Rockholds, KY

Victoria McDougle Address management systems specialist Memphis

April Callens Consumer relations specialist Washington, DC

Bethann Riddle Postmaster Fairfield, ID

Amy Lee Maintenance support clerk Oshkosh, WI

Deborah Filipink Complaints & inquiry clerk Buffalo, NY

Maybell Wirth General Clerk San Antonio,

Clarice Durden Administrative assistant Birmingham, AL

Jeanna Ohda Sales associate Amboy, IL

Lori Noborikawa General clerk Honolulu

Buenaventura Lustan Training technician Sacramento, CA

Rachel Colunga Postmaster relief Collison, IL

Deborah Proper Retail associate Calverton, VA

Gibson, Michael Maintenance mechanic Cincinnati

Meek, Charlene Laborer custodial Gainesville, TX

Grace Tate Retail associate Farber, MO

Mary Larsen Mail processing clerk Omaha, NE

Heather Deyarmon Retail associate Irondale, OH

Rose Brace Postmaster Prather, CA

Thanks for playing!

Stay tuned for next month’s

crossword.