USPS: A Case of Civility Gone Asunder

USPS: A Case of Civility Gone Asunder
By Frank Barton
Anthony LaGreca Mid-Hudson, NY, President

Can you recall a day when mentoring EAS employees was the way to guide one to success? When providing encouragement was the preferred method of addressing deficiencies and weaknesses?

If you can, you know that environment disappeared long ago. We now watch in dismay as discipline reigns supreme.

Threatening emails supplant simple, one-on-one conversations. Telecon dress-downs have taken the place of the two-party phone call. Chasing one’s tail is the new method of priority rearrangement.

Are these the ways an organization inspires its management employees to greater heights? Consider these different definitions and descriptions of the word “discipline:”

“Discipline (noun): control, regulation, direction, order, authority, rule, strictness, a firm hand; routine, regimen; training, teaching, instruction [emphasis added], drill, drilling, exercise; use of punishment.”

ELM 651.3 Nondisciplinary Corrective Measures

“Accountable managers/supervisors are responsible for the direct day-to-day performance management of subordinates. The accountable manager/supervisor monitors subordinates’ performance and provides appropriate resources, coaching, and feedback to the subordinates. The manager/supervisor is responsible for leading the employee to a higher level of achievement. Performance improvement should be a shared concern and effort between manager and employee. Early dialogue and guidance are critical to achieving positive results and continuance of an effective manager/employee relationship.”

Degrading email messaging or telecon ridicule does not fulfill the obligations of Section 651.3 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual.

“Discipline (verb): punish, penalize, take disciplinary action against, bring to book; reprimand, rebuke, reprove, chastise, castigate, upbraid, remonstrate with.”

This all-too-common behavior is inappropriate in administering reasonable management to a subordinate. As NAPS members, we must educate ourselves on our rights.

NAPS branch officers must not only make the effort to that end, but also assist members in challenging the myriad indifference that exists in today’s Postal Service.

More than ever, the time is now.