Workplace Security: A Postal Priority

The success of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Safe and Secure Initiative has prompted USPS officials to continue the program.

Launched in August 2010, the nationwide initiative involves Postal Inspectors visiting employees to discuss steps they can take to avoid becoming victims of workplace violence. The centerpieces of the presentation are a video and brochures with tips on how to deal with acts of violence.

“Postal Inspectors visited 4,000 postal facilities and met with more than 26,000 employees in FY 2011,” says Postal Inspector Ron Baraga, Program Manager, Safe and Secure Initiative.

Employee response to the Postal Inspectors’ presentations was overwhelmingly positive.”

The initiative supports the Postal Service’s zero-tolerance policy for any type of workforce violence — from assaults on carriers working their routes to postal employee threats against co-workers and an abusive customer’s treatment toward retail associates.

“Workplace violence deserves our undivided attention,” says Baraga. “The initiative reminds everyone to treat threatening remarks and other signs of aggression seriously to prevent any escalation to violence.”

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to help employees threatened by violence in the workplace. EAP provides crisis counseling, referral and short-term counseling. Postal employees and their families can call EAP 24 hours a day at 800-327-4968. For TTY, call 877-492-7341.