“The Postal Service is committed to fair treatment of all its employees.” This employee handbook rule is now ELM 673.5. “All employees are expected to treat coworkers with dignity and respect.” Supervisors are employees, too. This rule was moved to ELM 673.61. These changes were in Postal Bulletin 22462 (3-02-2017).
The ELM 870 Employee Assistance Program regulations vanished. Nothing points you to where they went. A tiny notice in Postal Bulletin 22407 (1-22-2015) said simply, “Move 870 in its entirety to 940.”
ELM 665.16 Behavior and Personal Habits lost the last sentence: “Employees are expected to maintain harmonious working relationships and not to do anything that would contribute to an unpleasant working environment.” Although this sentence was deleted two years ago, it is still being cited in letters of discipline today. See Postal Bulletin 22421 (8-06-2015).
ELM 586.132 is not new, but it is frequently violated: “Employees who have applied for disability retirement and who are unable to work while their applications are under review by OPM continue on the rolls in a leave status (either with or without pay) pending notification by OPM of its decision on the application.”
There was a time before the PAEA in 2006 when employees got letters of commendation and appreciation – even incentive awards. Now it is harsh words, pre-disciplinary interviews, letters of discipline and even termination for offenses like getting cancer. The National Reassessment Process (NRP) signaled that the days of sympathy are long gone. Managers are not exempt from harsh treatment themselves. I witnessed a kindly postmaster denied FMLA leave by his MPOO. He died two days before retirement.
First Name: Don
Last Name: Cheney
Email: doncheney@live.com
Union/Local: APWU – Auburn WA Local
Office held if any: Retired President