Resilience: It May Take Work

Learning to become more resilient takes some effort. Resilience is like a muscle – the more you use it; the stronger it is. As you work on your resiliency skills, the stronger and more natural they will become.

To aid you in this process, there are 3 things that can help:

1. Anticipate changes.
2. Recognize your triggers.
3. Use the resources available to you.

First, anticipate changes. This isn’t just about expecting them – you probably do that now. You know that changes are a part of life and they will happen. You probably know that life is full of challenges and they aren’t always easy. So, it isn’t just about expecting them. It is about anticipating them and viewing them as challenges rather than threats. Change your mind set about what changes mean and you are able to change your reaction to them.

Second, recognize your triggers. Know what types of things tend to throw you off kilter. Recognize your body’s reactions to stress. Begin to recognize when you need to start putting your newly honed resiliency skills to work.

And, third, use available resources. Well, since this ePromotion is being generated from your Employee Assistance Program, of course your EAP is a great resource for you – both as you practice your resiliency skills and while you are putting them into action. But you have other resources as well – your family, friends, coworkers, and other supports. But resources may also include your local library, the internet, and other sources of information. Your resources may be specific to you and through this process you will learn to recognize what resources you have and when to use them.

Terri Sitrin, LCSW, ACSW, CEAP | EAP Consultant, Dallas District | USPS EAP

214-353-6996 | TLSitrin@magellanhealth.com

Magellan Health Inc,  2341 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX  75220-4415 Go to www.EAP4YOU.com or call 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) TTY: 877-492-7341

 

A message from the District Manager... Tim Costello

June 21 is officially the first day of summer but in Dallas it feels as if summer started at least a month ago.  We all know that temperatures will soar this summer, and that means that we need to be prepared for the Texas heat. 

Although I didn’t work in Texas when I was carrying mail, the ten summers I worked in Jackson, MS, as a City Carrier were hot and humid.  I never left home without filling a large thermos with ice and plenty of water.

The Dallas District has approximately 7,000 employees that work as Letter Carriers, Rural Carriers and Highway Contract Route Drivers.  If you are one of these employees, you know more than most how important it is to take the following safety precautions:

• Stay hydrated.

○ Hydration is the most important tool in preventing heat-related illness

○ Employees should be well hydrated before arriving at work

• Eat during lunch and other rest breaks.

○ Food helps replace lost electrolytes

•      Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing made of materials such as cotton.

•      Wear a wide-brimmed hat, when possible.

•      Take breaks in the shade or a cool area, when possible.

•      Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress.

•      Monitor your physical condition and that of co-workers for heat related symptoms.

• Talk with your doctor about medications you are taking and how they may affect your heat tolerance.

• Tell your supervisor if you have symptoms of heat-related illness or call 911. 

June is also the month where Postal employees have experienced the most dog bites.  I was attacked by many dogs while walking my routes in Mississippi.  My satchel and dog spray never failed me! To protect yourself on your mail route, remember these simple rules:  

• If you are approached by a dog, resist the impulse to scream and run away. Running will trigger a chase response.

• Remain motionless, with your hands at your sides and avoid eye contact with the dog.  Always be on the alert for a sneak attack!

• Once the dog has calmed down, you can back away. Do not turn your back on a dog because a fearful dog will bite you when you are not looking. Stand your ground.  Place your satchel between you and the dog.  Use your dog spray.

• Being aware of your surroundings and protecting yourself is your best defense against dog attacks.

 

Summer means fun, but for Postal employees, it also means it’s time to step up our safety awareness efforts.  Each one of you makes up the Dallas District, and it’s important to me that you stay safe this summer.

 

Resiliency: What Exactly Is It?

Dictionary.com defines resiliency as 1) “the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc. after being bent, compressed or stretched; elasticity; 2) “ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.”

So, basically, being resilient means that you are able to recover and adapt – you “bounce back”, if you will, from things outside the norm. You adapt well to change and are able to continue on with little to no interference to your daily life.

 

Sounds like a good trait to have. And, some people are more resilient than others. Some people seem to always stay on that even keel no matter what is going on around them. Even if something major happens and they falter a bit, it doesn’t seem to take them long to adjust and get back to “business as usual.”

 

So, there are benefits to building our resiliency.  By the end, of this e promotion we hope that you will have a better understanding of what encourages resiliency and how you can work to build your resilience. There may be some work along the way, but you can do it! And, this ePromotion is a great way to start. Get ready for Day 2!

Terri Sitrin, LCSW, ACSW, CEAP | EAP Consultant, Dallas District | USPS EAP

214-353-6996 | TLSitrin@magellanhealth.com

Magellan Health Inc,  2341 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX  75220-4415 Go to www.EAP4YOU.com or call 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) TTY: 877-492-7341

 

 

Customer Compliment

Dallas, TX, University Station Letter Carrier Scott Taylor received a customer compliment from a grateful customer on his route.

 

Mr. Irven,

 

Please know that one of your Letter Carriers, Mr. Scott Taylor is a credit to your business and duties.  Scott found a $20 bill dropped by a renter and instead of having himself a nice lunch, he called out to us.  I and our tenant are extremely grateful to him.  I hope this information and his honesty gets into the file of a good man.

 

Sincerely,

 

Happy Customer   

 

Irving, TX, Valley Ranch Station Monica Toscano (left) received her third Gold Star Award from Manager, Post Office Operations Dan Carleen (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She just made regular on May 23^rd of this year.  Toscano strives to give positive and consistent service to everyone.  She loves the people that she works with.  Toscano stated, “I owe everything that I know to Miss Angie Wafer Bailey who trained me and Miss Yada Smith who showed me what to do.”

Terrell, TX, Retail Associate Mouna Lahjouji (right) received her fifth Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services Ryan Tuff (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She enjoys giving exceptional customer service to all of her customers.

Kilgore, TX, Retail Associate Jeanette Carr (center) received her fifth Gold Star Award from Postmaster Joe McQuiston (left) and Supervisor, Customer Services Monjay Johnson (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She became a full time employee in 2000.  Carr enjoys working with people and her co-workers.  She does her best to give great service to all her customers.  Carr remarked, “I love my husband.  We have been married for 38 years.”

Paris, TX, Lead Retail Associate Diane Rowell received her seventh Gold Star Award for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  This is her second Gold Star Award in a row and 16 total Gold Stars for the Paris Main Post Office.  Postmaster Tracey Loyd remarked, “With her 17 years of service and knowledge, Diane provides excellent service to her customers.”

 

 

Tyler, TX, Azalea Station Retail Associate Ruth Ekwuruke (right) received her first and second Gold Star Awards from Postmaster Falonda Woods.  She has been with the Postal Service for one year and enjoys working with her customers.  Ekwuruke commented, “I love my customers.  Without them I wouldn’t have a job.”

Lindale, TX, Retail Associate Lynn Burris (left) received her sixth Gold Star Award from Postmaster Kathy Downing (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Postal Service for 22 years.  Burris enjoys the relationships she has formed with her customers and co-workers.  Recently, a customer had an accident and drove their car into the front of the building all the way into the back.  Many of the customers in the Lindale area expressed concern for the safety of Burris and all the employees in the building.  Burris has a daughter who graduated high school in May and is on her way to college.

Mineola, TX, Retail Associate Kimlicko Lee (center) received a Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services Carlist Brinkley (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  Sliger was joined by fellow Retail Associate Rod Taylor (left).  She is a people person and enjoys interacting with customers.  Sliger also works as a 204b and takes pride in being able to solve customer problems when they have an issue.  She remarked, “I’m able to give great customer service because my boss took me under his wing and taught me everything I know.”

Sulphur Springs, TX, Retail Associate Darin Deaton (right) received his 12th Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services Tiffany Beggs (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  Beggs remarked, “Darin’s customer service is near perfect every time.”

Sulphur Springs, TX, Lead Retail Associate Christine Miles (right) received her second Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services Tiffany Beggs (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She commented, “It’s all about the customers.  I give customer service the way I would want it done for me.”

Prosper, TX, Retail Associate Sherri Johnson (right) received her second Gold Star Award from Postmaster Jim Spradley (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She is proud to be a part of the Postal Service for 12 years.  Johnson enjoys working with customers and giving them excellent service.  She remarked, “My co-workers and Postmaster are great. We are like a family.”

Little Elm, TX, Retail Associate Sajanu Kurien (left) received her fourth Gold Star Award from Postmaster Rhonda Flowers (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She is proud to help the public with their shipping needs.  Kurien said her co-workers are great and they help each other while treating everyone with respect.  Flowers remarked, “I’m really proud of the great service my Clerks give to all the people of this rapidly growing community.  They do an exceptional job.”

Lake Dallas, TX, Retail Associate Langsont “Mark” Darnell received a Gold Star Award for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  He enjoys dealing with the public and solving customer problems.  Darnell has been with the Postal Service for 21 years and is a U.S. Navy veteran.  

Richardson, TX, Huffhines Station Retail Associate Leslie Thompson (second left) received her second Gold Star Award this year from A/Marketing Manager Brandi Smith (far left), Manager, Post Office Operations CJ Tabbot (second right) and Manager, Customer Services Stanley Adams (far right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Postal Service for 34 years and said, “The best thing about my job is my customers.”  Thompson is postal proud to do a good job every day.

Richardson, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associate Lateasa Brumfield (second right) received a Gold Star Award from A/Marketing Manager Brandi Smith (far left), Manager, Post Office Operations CJ Tabbot (second left) and Supervisor, Customer Services Tonya Chambers (far right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Postal Service for four years.  Brumfield enjoys serving others and educating the customers about postal products and services while practicing safety first.  She just adopted a stray dog named King Solomon from an animal shelter.  Brumfield commented, “There is a good vibe here.  We are like family.”

North Texas, TX, Processing & Distribution Center Senior Plant Manager Larry Wagener (right), Baltimore, MD, Main Post Office Lead Carrier Coordinators Jim Christopher (center) and Stan McLaughlin (left) spoke to the Dallas District management and Letter Carriers about a national program entitled, “Where is my package?”  This program was started in Baltimore to improve package delivery accuracy, promote safety and employee engagement, reduce customer complaints, improve customer service and educate employees about the importance of accurate scanning.

Baltimore, MD, Main Post Office Lead Carrier Coordinators Jim Christopher (left) and Stan McLaughlin (right) spoke to the Dallas District about the importance of timely and accurate scanning, improved processes within the delivery unit and employee engagement to reduce the number of customer complaints with package delivery and reduce delivery costs.

Dallas, TX, Plano Northwest Station (above) and University Station (below) employees participated in the “Where is my package?” initiative designed to reduce customer complaints and increase employee engagement.

 

 

Dallas, TX, Juanita Craft Station Supervisor, Customer Services Bryon Blair received a customer compliment for retrieving a lost package.  He remarked, “It’s all about making the customer happy.”

 

Mr. Thompson,

 

I would like to extend a compliment to Supervisor Bryon Blair for personally working hard to retrieve a package that I mailed incorrectly.  Many things happened with the package and I and the recipient had lost hope of retrieval, but as of yesterday I understand that Bryon had not given up.  He located the package and ensured the contents were still inside.  I am sure most USPS employees don’t receive much credit for all the hard work and long hours that are put forth in an effort to keep the U.S. Postal system working efficiently.  So, I did not want Bryon’s efforts to go without notice.  The packaged contained a special order item valued over the provided $100 insurance and without retrieval, I would have lost money.  I spoke with over 10 USPS employees from the customer service line, to consumer affairs, to postal inspection services, and to the local office in which Bryon is employed.  I will say the only consistency found was with Bryon and his associates within the local office. 

 

Thank you!

Dallas, TX, Preston Station Retail Associate Leslie McCullough received a customer compliment from a happy customer.  She has been with the Postal Service for 32 years and enjoys meeting new customers, and interacting with them.  McCullough commented, “I think family is very important.  I love my family.”

 

Dear Ms. Postmaster General Brennan,

 

Leslie McCullough is such an outstanding employee that I just wanted to make double sure that she is recognized for her excellent work. If you got to know her, you would definitely love to have “many more Leslies” working at the United States Post Office.

 

Thank you for all the work you do for us maintaining this important department in our government that helps all of us citizens.

 

My very best wishes to you.

Dallas, TX, Spring Valley Retail Associate Telidia Foy (left) received her third Gold Star Award from Sales Retention Team Supervisor, Customer Services Helena Mensah (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Postal Service for 11 years and enjoys interacting with the customers.  Foy commented, “I’m proud to do my job properly and I enjoy the work that I do.”

Dallas, TX, Joe Pool Retail Associate Angela Webber (left) received her second Gold Star Award from Manager, Customer Services Vangie Dyess (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Postal Service for 32 years and enjoys working with people.  Webber credits her success to her family and the values that they taught her. 

North Texas Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) employees are number two in the nation processing mail on the high speed tray sorter machine.  Pictured above and the two photos below are members of this team. (Front row, left to right) Supervisor, Distribution Operations Phyllis Scott; Mail Handlers Mini Devasia; Carol Cephas; Larry Wade; Tramell Reese; Fayad Ali; Rojan Thomas; Jon “Geno” Garcia; Winnie Benton-Washington; Manager, Distribution Operations Erick Williams; (second row) Mail Handlers Gerry Buford; Keith Buckner; Ronald Edwards; Ronald Riggens (white hat) and Jacquet Triggs. 

Pictured left to right are: Manager, Distribution Operations Erick Williams; Mail Handlers Kelvin Wilson; Diane O’Neil; Melvin Singh; Barinder Bajaj and Tony Meyering.

Pictured front row left to right are: Mail Handlers Jason Williams; Jacquette Triggs, Ronald Edwards; Jonathan Parks; Winnie Benton-Washington; (second row) Minnie Devarsia; Ronald Edwards; Karen Chavez; Melvin Singh; Jon “Geno” Chavez; Rojan Thomas and Tramel Reese.

 

 

Lancaster, TX, Retail Associate Latoya Jackson (left) received her sixth Gold Star Award from Postmaster George Bowling (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  Bowling commented, “As a Postmaster it makes me proud to observe Latoya interacting with customers every day with a smile and positive attitude no matter what the circumstances.”

Dallas, TX, Pleasant Grove Station Retail Associate Sam Washington (left) received his second Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services John Pride (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  He has been with the Postal Service for 32 years and is proud to represent the brand.  Washington remarked, “The best part of my job is helping the customers.”

Dallas District Human Resource Specialist Melvin Price (right) and North Texas Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) General Expeditor Cathy Price (left) celebrated their 36 year anniversary.  Melvin brought dinner and ginger ale for Cathy (pictured below) which they enjoyed at the plant because she had to work.  Cathy has worked the Postal Service for 28 years and Calvin has 32 years of service.

 

Dallas, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associate Lawson Ford (right) received a Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services Virgie Lusk (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.

Dallas, TX, Manager, Customer Service Operations (CSOM) Anthony McDowell (left) and his wife Carolyn (right) celebrated his retirement at party held in the Dallas Main Post Office.

Employees throughout the Dallas District came to congratulate CSOM Anthony McDowell (center in the purple shirt) on his retirement.

Dallas, TX, CSOM Angela San Miguel (standing) gave a speech highlighting Anthony McDowell’s accomplishments and how he will be missed throughout the district.

 

 

Dallas, TX, Lake Highlands Station Retail Associate Shondra Blair (right) received her third Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services Christopher Scott (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She enjoys her regular customers and interacting with them.  Blair is proud to represent the brand by giving excellent service to help people in their everyday lives.  She remarked, “I’m lucky to have good co-workers who support each other.”

Dallas, TX, Brookhollow Station Retail Associate Angela Henderson (left) received her third Gold Star Award from Supervisor, Customer Services Zsacartha Williams (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the Postal Service for 23 years and said that the customers are the best part of her job.  Henderson commented, “We have a good group of people who get along really well.  There is great chemistry here and we laugh a lot.”

Dallas, TX, Station A Retail Associate Sonja Nobles (left) received a Gold Star Award from Manager, Customer Services Desiree Brown-Stuart (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience. She enjoys interacting with customers and co-workers providing the best customer experience possible.  Nobles loves when her customers leave and they are satisfied with the service she has given.  She remarked, “I love my family and co-workers.  They keep me motivated.”

 

North Texas P&DC Automated Parcel & Bundle Sorter Clerk Yong C. Chi (left) received his 35-year Service Award and Pin from A/Supervisor, Distribution Operations Angela M. Lampkin (right).

North Texas Processing & Distribution Center (P&DC) Automation Clerk William D. Betts (right) received his 30-year Service Award and Pin from Supervisor, Distribution Operations Demoine D. Moore (left).

North Texas P&DC Registry Room Clerk Thanh Q. Nguyen (right) received his 30-year Service Award and Pin from Supervisor, Distribution Operations Marilyn R. Barnes (left).

North Texas P&DC Automated Flats Sorting Machine Clerk Kyong W. Cho (left) received his 30-year Service Award and Pin from Lead Mail Processing Clerk Aliska M. Merritt (right).