Just have to vent

[littlesew&sew]

 Today was a fairly light mail and light parcel day.  I was done about an hour under evaluation.  

When I get back to the office, there's a note on my case that the sub on another route "didn't leave office until 10:30, may need help this afternoon."  Acting supervisor checks where other sub is at - 2:00 and he's just under halfway done with the route.  This route is supposed to be 4.5 hours of street time.  I tell acting supervisor that other sub should make the truck, but it will be close.

I also tell the acting supervisor that this sub came in a full HOUR before start time, and this sub had plenty of time to take about 45 minutes discussing politics with the city carriers, and other sub dropped the f-bomb so much that the clerks had to ask him to quiet down once the window was open because customers could hear.  I told acting supervisor that if she gave me a direct order to help, I would.  Thankfully, I wasn't sent out to help.  This is also the sub that's allowed to be available only on Saturday.  He's almost got a year in our office, and I'm fed up.  

I'm heading in Monday to find out if I can to file a formal complaint against him.  I'm not sure if I have a leg to stand on, but I want it known that the constant use of profanities, unending political talk (don't care what side of the aisle you're on, keep it out of the office), and subtly suggestive statements have to end.  If management wants to allow him to only be available on Sat, that's fine - more money for me.  But I refuse to listen to constant profanities and political crap every time he works.

Headphones will be my friend every Saturday from now on... 

 

[faceindawind]

I know the mail handlers have won a grievance on headphones. But the policy is as long as your stationary. 

My office policy is one in ear. They cite safety in case of fire alarm and to be able to call you to attend stand ups.

Might cite this from ELM...If the profanity was heard by window customers.

665.16 Behavior and Personal Habits
Employees are expected to conduct themselves during and outside of working hours in a manner that reflects favorably upon the Postal Service. Although it is not the policy of the Postal Service to interfere with the private lives of employees, it does require that postal employees be honest, reliable, trustworthy, courteous, and of good character and reputation. The Federal Standards of Ethical Conduct referenced in 662.1 also contain regulations governing the off–duty behavior of postal employees. Employees must not engage in criminal, dishonest, notoriously disgraceful, immoral, or other conduct prejudicial to the Postal Service. Conviction for a violation of any criminal statute may be grounds for disciplinary action against an employee, including removal of the employee, in addition to any other penalty imposed pursuant to statute.

The bigger question is, why is management who could obviously hear this not say anything before the clerks? They can't suppress free speech but can have people tone it down so all do not have to hear.

 

[littlesew&sew]

When I've used headphones in the office previously, it's been only one ear.  I plan on doing that from this point on when I work Saturdays.  

I'm not typically bothered by the occasional profane word.  It's not like I've never said one, but when every other word coming out of a carrier's mouth is F- this, it's disgusting!

 

[D.B.Cooper]

1st Amendment only pertains to the Gov't not suppressing anybody's free speech... it's not binding on employers....

An employer can dictate what you can and can't say at work...  <img title="Surprised" alt="Surprised" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-surprised.gif" />

 

[btdtret]

littlesew&sew -- Supposedly one carrier can not file a grievance against another carrier.  However, you can go after a member of manglement.

--  You can cite "Faceindawind's" ELM reference.

--  The last sentence of 665.16 used to be:  "Employees are expected to maintain harmonious working relationships and not to do anything that would contribute to an unpleasant working environment."  But for some reason it has been deleted from the newer version of the ELM.  Maybe your manglement has not gotten the newer version or hasn't bothered to check it.

"this sub had plenty of time to take about 45 minutes discussing politics with the city carriers,"

--  Ask manglement or ADR to check the 4240 for a lunch time entry.  If "45" not entered, that might be considered falsifying an official document.  Or if manglement would treat 45 minutes of political discussion as part of some type of route training.  No doubt manglement will want to know how you know it was 45 minutes.

--  Might try the Zero Tolerance Policy of 04 FEB 2015.  In part - This memorandum reaffirms the Postal Service's position on violence and inappropriate behavior in the work place.   ( IMHO -- using the f-word on the workfloor is inappropriate behavior, although others may consider it "freedom of speech". )

" other sub dropped the f-bomb so much that the clerks had to ask him to quiet down once the window was open because customers could hear. "

--  Hopefully a route customer overhead such language and could be approached on the route to contact the local media or the USPS OIG about such language in the work place.

--  Maybe the Assistant District Representative can point out other things to manglement regarding excess non-postal chit-chat or inappropriate language in the post office.

Additional reference material - EL-814 -- Postal Employee's Guide to Safety

Personal Portable Headsets -- in part - The use of headsets is permissible only for employees who perform duties while seated or stationary and only where headset use does not interfere with performing duties or constitute a safety or health hazard.

--  While manglement may say headsets are okay, but for only one ear -- supposedly for safety issues such as a fire alarm.   As the USPS employees deaf persons, ask manglement how the Deaf are alerted?  The flashing strobe lights and piercing alarm noise should be sufficient to alert anyone.

 

[Rt2mailman]

Littlesew&sew, you are currently working in a hostile environment due to this RCA, file away. Management is required to provide a non-hostile work environment for your office. In the statements you've made, they have not. This RCA should receive some discipline, and maybe at this time his overall record (un-availability) will be "looked" at also. A carrier can't file a grievance "on" another employee unless that employee is a manager, management duty is to make sure things like this don't happen, when they do we can file a grievance asking management to do their job.

 

[littlesew&sew]

I wasn't really thinking of trying to file a grievance against this other carrier.  I just wanted to make it known to management that I find it offensive and disruptive to the work environment.  Rt2mailman and btdtret thank you for the correct wording: "hostile and unpleasant work environment" is definitely correct for this situation.   

 

[littlesew&sew]

I wasn't scheduled to work today, but I wanted to take care of this matter quickly.  I went in to the OIC's office to discuss the situation that happened on Saturday.  First question from OIC was did I discuss my concerns with the acting supervisor on Saturday.  Yes, I did.  Second question, did anyone else hear/witness the offensive language?  Yes, but I am the one here making it known that the situation was unacceptable.  Third question, who else heard the offensive language?  Everyone in the office heard it, as the other carrier has an extremely loud voice; however, I can't say as to whether anyone else was offended by it.

OIC's response:  Acting supervisor will discuss the situation with the other carrier.  

I don't feel like the OIC really heard what I was saying. The acting supervisor is a very nice person but doesn't have the personality to be even the least bit of an authority figure.  I did, however, directly ask the acting supervisor if she has authority to issue discipline to any of the office employees.  She stated that she does have that authority and would discuss the situation with the other carrier.  I made it clear to her that I want this situation dealt with, and if it's not, I will make sure it is taken care of either at this level or above if required.  I told her that I'm not the type to cause trouble, but I know words have power, and if necessary, I will use words such as "hostile work environment" and if necessary "sexual harassment" (no matter how subtle it is) in an official, on-paper capacity if I have to.

Previously, I had always thought that the suggestion to write down and keep track of dates, names, and situations that occur in the office was a little over the top; however, my mind has been changed...