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Jan. 22 - Issue 192

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MISSION CARES ABOUT ME COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

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BEST FRIEND EXPECTATIONS RECOGNITION

I report when my materials run low or my equipment needs service.

INSIDE STORIES:

Engagement Challenge Certified Engaged Teams Pacific Area Changing the Culture NEW! Next-Level Connection

2020 Engagement Challenge

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An engaged employee will ask for resources such as materials and information to do their job safe and right. They will also let someone know if their equipment is not functioning properly. An engaged manager will discover the needs of each person and provide the resources, training and best equipment available to employees accordingly. Workgroups that meet these needs have higher customer engagement, higher productivity, better safety records, and are more likely to stay in their current position.

I report when my materials run low or my equipment needs service.

1.) Do we have all the information we need to do our jobs right? 2.) Are there things that distract us from being positive, productive or accurate in the work that we do? 3.) What are the essentials? What materials and equipment are necessary for us to do our jobs well? 4.) Do we have enough people to get the job done right? How can we work together when our

resources are limited?

Questions to Ask Yourself and Your Team

Engagement Resources and Contact Information

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Certified Engaged Teams

For the fourth year in a row, the Somerton, AZ, Post Office was recognized as a Certified Engaged Team. They raised their grand mean score from 4.39 from the previous survey administration to 4.48. The team’s strengths were Q1 Know What’s Expected (5.0) and Q3 Opportunity to Do Best (4.83).

The Filer, ID, Post Office was one of 11 Certified Engaged Teams in the Salt Lake City District. This was the second time they were recognized as a Certified Engaged team. “It all starts with caring for each other and creating a family atmosphere,” said Postmaster Michael March.

The HQ Continuous Improvement team is proud to join the Certified Engaged Team (CET) class of 2019. The team’s strengths were Q3 Opportunity to Do Best (4.67) and Q7 Opinions Count (4.67).

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Pacific Area Changing the Culture through Engagement

Rachel Ivory, a Pacific Area engagement ambassador, recently received a Superior Achievement Award from the HQ Engagement Team. The ambassadors are a team of 20 employees who are divided among the Postal Service’s seven areas and Washington, DC, headquarters. Each ambassador travels throughout their assigned territory, conducting classes and consulting for managers and supervisors. Ivory was recognized for her efforts to make the program a success. “Not only has she created a model training and coaching environment here in the Pacific Area, but her work has directly resulted in increased levels of engagement throughout the nation,” said Pacific Area Vice President Larry Munoz.

Rachel Ivory, a Pacific Area engagement ambassador, receives a certificate of appreciation from Pacific Area Vice President Larry Munoz.

El Toro’s Engagement Best Practices:

• Encourage suggestions for improvement • Value one another’s input, feedback and ideas • Discuss and implement improvement ideas and practices • Share performance and operating results weekly • Communicate effectively with respect and professionalism • Work safely and efficiently • Set goals for everyone to achieve • Resolve differences objectively • Recognize and reward excellent work • Respect each other at all times

El Toro, CA, employees proudly take a group photo next to the tropical hydration station that they helped assemble.

The El Toro, CA, Post Office continues to build a strong engaging work environment by giving everyone the opportunity to be involved in office projects such as a recent safety contest. Employees voluntarily brought items and created a Tiki-themed beverage station, which included non-alcoholic mocktails and a selection of fruit juices. “We contributed decorations and props individually, but together we created an amazing tropical oasis, where everyone is invited to refuel and rehydrate,” said Postmaster Aree Jitratanajinda.

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Have You Measured Your Level of Engagement?

The Next-Level Connection is a tool to help prepare individual team members for success. Leaders are using it to initiate one-on-one talks with all direct reports. These talks are intended to assess the current level of engagement, open lines of communication, clarify expectations and build upon results.

TIPS TO GET STARTED:

Communicate to all team members that one-on-one conversations will be held with every team member and their direct report.

Make time to have a conversation with each team member who reports directly to you. Share this expectation with your direct employees who have employees that report them as well.

Discuss progress and next steps by focusing on elements of engagement. Use the checklist below to have meaningful conversations.

- Identify areas of strengths (needs being met)

- Address opportunities (needs not being met); work together to improve

- Be open to feedback; listen to understand, not to respond

- Show empathy for all concerns and overall well-being

- Acknowledge contributions/achievements This new resource is available on the Employee Engagement website.

Submit questions to: engagement@usps.gov.

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Jan. 3 Margaret Byrne Letter carrier Brentwood, NY

Jan. 6 James Turnbaugh Information systems specialist Indianapolis

Jan. 10 Natalina Marku Retail associate Brentwood, NY

Jan. 12 Dionne Hughes Administrative assistant Washington

Jan. 15 Chris Padgett Letter carrier Brentwood, NY

Jan. 16 Juanalyne Couch Retail associate Memphis, TN

Jan. 20 Qwana Metoyer Maintenance support clerk San Diego

Jan. 21 Synobia Cogshell-Williams Accounting control specialist St. Louis

Jan. 24 Frank Sorisi Letter carrier Brentwood, NY

Jan. 24 William Majors Jr. Customer care agent Troy, MI

Jan. 25 Sarajveet Kaur Letter carrier Brentwood, NY

Jan. 28 Shonda Selin Complaints and inquiry clerk Tampa, FL

Jan. 31 Brent Morck Letter carrier Brentwood, NY

37 years of service William Austin Manager, customer services Bridgeport, CT

45 years of service Robert Pizzolo Supervisor, maintenance operations Trenton, NJ

50 years of service James Valentino Supervisor, maintenance operations Trenton, NJ

Tamara Greenlee and Robert Shima were recently married. Tamara is a retail associate in Gerber, CA. Sandra and Darryl Willis celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. Sandra is human resources specialist in Detroit. Erica and Matthew Dillon celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. Erica is a retail associate in Forest Hills, KY. Raul and Lourdes Diaz celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Raul is a maintenance mechanic in Industry, CA. 7 years Izetta Sims Lead retail associate New Orleans

19 years Krystal Morrison Training technician Detroit

25 years Sharon Harding Retail associate Victoria, VA

25 years Andia Solomon Manager, customer services Durham, NC

27 years Mark Marshall Business mail entry clerk Erie, PA

POSTAL ANNIVERSARIES

RETIREMENTS

BIRTHDAYS

WEDDINGS / ANNIVERSARIES

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Lunar New Year Begins Jan. 25

The Postal Service released its Year of the Rat stamp, the first entry in a new Lunar New Year series, on Saturday, Jan. 11. Lunar New Year, an important holiday for many Asian communities, is celebrated primarily by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Mongolian, Malaysian and Filipino heritage. The rat is the first of the 12 zodiac animal signs associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. The Year of the Rat begins Jan. 25 and ends Feb. 11, 2021. The stamp features a rat mask that calls to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon dance, a feature of Lunar New Year parades. The image offers a contemporary take on the long tradition of the paper-cut folk art crafts that are another hallmark of Lunar New Year.

Did you miss one of the previous Engage Weekly newsletters? Click here. Do you have a birthday, retirement, postal or wedding anniversary you would like to announce? Log on to LiteBlue and fill out the form. Or... Go to USPS LiteBlue and log on with your Employee ID and USPS Self Service Password.

Under Hot Topics, select Employee Engagement.

In the left column, select Employee Celebration Submission, and fill in the online form.

Employee Celebration Submission

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