Dos and Don’ts

Let’s talk about the carrier craft; the expectations, and the rise in the amount of grievances that are being issued. 

Put yourself in a place where you won’t be made an example to be written up.  Haven’t you noticed that Management starts every write-up with the infamous “Failure to Follow Instructions”?  They use this phrase whether its attendance, safety, office work, street observations, or whatever.  This is their way of showing progressive discipline.  Don’t make it easy for them.  Protect yourself! Pay attention to the following:

Do report to work when scheduled.  If there is a medical issue, get FMLA.

Do watch what you say, and don’t make yourself a target.  What may be funny to you may be offensive to others.  If you are having a bad day, do take a deep breath or perhaps walk it off.  Watch your mouth!  Don’t let them accuse you of conduct unbecoming an employee.

Do rack in your dog warning cards as well as your hazard cards.  Don’t forget it’s for your safety  as well as others. A new dog or hazard could have surfaced when you were off, or if you don’t get a chance to finish the route, it is a good tool to alert others.  Do have all special instructions for your route listed in your route book.

Don’t pull route down out of order.  Do get approval of the supervisor if you need to break up loops, or something is going on and a delivery change is needed.

Upon pulling down the route and before departing to the street, do make sure you check your case for any sleepers.  This is a big thing!  Create a buddy system with a fellow Carrier. Check each other to be sure to protect yourselves.

Don’t scan delivery confirmations or parcels before leaving for the street.

Scans should be done when the attempt or the delivery is made.  Otherwise, this can lead to discipline.  Remember, the customer is paying for the service to know when and where the delivery is actually made.

If after you make your final sweep in the office, and you see that you are not going to have an eight-hour day, do fill out a PS Form 3996 advising Management of this fact.

If you have been instructed through service talks to call the office by a certain time if you are running late in the street, do call the office and advise them, even if you gave them a PS Form 3996.  No phone?  then text on your scanner.

Don’t  go outside your delivery area.  Do advise Management if you need to deviate from your route for any reason.  Don’t drive around visiting other carriers.  You are not allowed to go off your route for any unauthorized reasons.

Management has been instructed to do street observations on a daily basis.  Be observant of them and your surroundings.  Do your route as if you were on a route inspection.

Don’t go home for lunch in a neighboring town (zip code).  If something is going on with you, talk to Management.

Don’t finger mail when crossing streets or driving.  Do take every obvious shortcut. 

Do report accidents immediately to your Supervisor.  Don’t leave the scene of the accident.  If unable to contact the office, do call the police.  Do give a detailed statement of what happened, and follow through with that same statement if a grievance should occur later.

Don’t forget to fill out a PS Form 1571 when returning to the office with undeliverable mail.

If you want to do a no-lunch,  Do request and fill out a PS Form 3971 prior to leaving for the street.

Don’t  combine lunch and breaks.  If you have your two breaks in the street, space the time for morning and one for after lunch.  No sit down breakfasts allowed.

Don’t use the postal truck to take care of  personal business while on the clock.

Do contact Management when not reporting for work.  Don’t contact your Shop Steward.

If you are not sure of your duties, please refer to the M-41, Handbook of Carrier’s Duties and Responsibilities.  This is a new day, and none of the old excuses are being accepted.  Keep a record or log book of time worked, incidents that occur, or comments made to you.  Do protect yourself.