so i might be getting fired this week..or not..

johnwayne · Apr 1, 2020

rmpo. no one at the office when i return in the afternoon. forgot to put my cbu keys back. they had fallen out in the back seat of my car. lots of new stuff going on, as the clerk quit, and new ones filling in have turned the office upside down just so they can have it their way. in the confusion, i just missed putting my keys back. i couldnt find them this am. had a different delivery vehicle. so i had to alert the pm(yeah the one who hates me). I live on my route, less than 5 minutes from the office, so i used my break time to find my keys. and then alerted the pm that i found them. now she wants to i&i me because the keys were in my vehicle overnight. she went as far as claiming the postal inspectors had to be notified. tell me your opinion.

drakeME · Apr 1, 2020

Must really hate you.

I've taken llv keys home a few times, called and asked if ok to bring in AM - never had a problem.

Gotrope · Apr 1, 2020

johnwayne said:
rmpo. no one at the office when i return in the afternoon. forgot to put my cbu keys back. they had fallen out in the back seat of my car. lots of new stuff going on, as the clerk quit, and new ones filling in have turned the office upside down just so they can have it their way. in the confusion, i just missed putting my keys back. i couldnt find them this am. had a different delivery vehicle. so i had to alert the pm(yeah the one who hates me). I live on my route, less than 5 minutes from the office, so i used my break time to find my keys. and then alerted the pm that i found them. now she wants to i&i me because the keys were in my vehicle overnight. she went as far as claiming the postal inspectors had to be notified. tell me your opinion.

Technically, pm is correct. Keys must be in your physical possession or locked in office at all times. If you forget your key and go home - the formal procedure is to instruct the carrier to drive to nearest 24 hour processing facility to domestic register those keys back to office for morning.
A mgr that lets you take keys home without accountability is trusting nothing is stolen tonight, you aren't making duplicates of keys for sale and no postal inspection spot check on building tonight. It's a personal call by mgr to put their paycheck on the line. About 50% will, many won't.
I'm sure your going to inform them you locked and secured your personal vehicle like always....

Morty · Apr 1, 2020

You always lock your vehicle...right?

An honest mistake. Ive done it several times. Why didn't the clerk clear the keys? They are in as much hot water as you...or do clerks ALWAYS get a free pass?

DB.Cooper · Apr 1, 2020

Exactly.... someone should have asked about the keys whereabouts.... sounds like their key accountabilty procedures are lacking.... but their shortcomings are tolerated, but an honest mistake on your part is not???

Itstillfun · Apr 1, 2020

There is a lot on my mind. Health safety family. Good thing accountable s were safely locked away. You handled the situation well. Most importantly sharing info with craft. I thank you reminds me to check twice
We are all human and have the ability to learn to work as a team. Checks and balances.
If they fire you others would deserve the same and it doesn't seem very constructive at all. Stay positive.

DB.Cooper · Apr 1, 2020

Unless you did something with criminal intent, I'd be surprised they'll let anyone be fired.... especially with all the other stuff going on right now....

MiddleOfNowhere · Apr 1, 2020

sounds like a clerk screwed up, by not reporting that the keys were missing.

btdtret · Apr 1, 2020

johnwayne -- " no one at the office when i return in the afternoon. forgot to put my cbu keys back. they had fallen out in the back seat of my car. lots of new stuff going on, as the clerk quit, and new ones filling in have turned the office upside down just so they can have it their way. in the confusion, i just missed putting my keys back. i couldnt find them this am. had a different delivery vehicle. so i had to alert the pm(yeah the one who hates me). I live on my route, less than 5 minutes from the office, so i used my break time to find my keys. and then alerted the pm that i found them. now she wants to i&i me because the keys were in my vehicle overnight. she went as far as claiming the postal inspectors had to be notified. tell me your opinion."

-- Of your situation or your PM?

-- Why was no one at the office when you returned? Who takes care of the collected mail? Who locks up, sets the alarm, etc?

- If it is you, I'd be asking ( demanding ) much more $$.

-- Guessing the "cbu" keys are what we called an "Arrow Key".

-- It was an daily accountable item on the 3821 which an Accountable Clerk had to clear at the end of the day. The accountable clerk had a cart with a special compartment to hold the Arrow Keys. Apparently your office does not do that.

-- Arrow Keys, etc, are supposed to be attached to your person ( clothing ) by a chain. A cbu key with no chain?

-- No one does pop-vehicle inspections?

-- If the cbu key is an Arrow Key, then, yes, the Postal Inspectors could be notified. It is a major event / hassle whenever an Arrow Key is stolen or "lost". However - comma - as you did find it with little chance of it being copied while "missing", PM probably just piling on.

-- There WON'T be a next time, but should there be, since Arrow Key accountability isn't a big priority at your office, go home and search before informing any one, especially the PM.

oi veh. · Apr 1, 2020

@btdtret - most of us who work in RMPOs are by ourselves when we come back, as most are 4 or 6 hour offices. We are responsible for all closing duties, including dispatch. See Postplan MOU for specifics.

Kubota Man · Apr 2, 2020

If only these postmasters were held to a similar standard we could get rid of all them and the supervisors.

Itstillfun · Apr 2, 2020

Kubota Man said:
If only these postmasters were held to a similar standard we could get rid of all them and the supervisors.

I'm under the understanding only rural s ( because of generous pay system) are held accountable. We are at the bottom of everything and the #1 cause of stress for the machine

csparks · Apr 2, 2020

Tell the truth, don't be deceptive.

In my experience, lying is what gets people fired. You did nothing with malicious intent.

Seen lots of people get jobs back from arbitrators (not USPS, though) because the brass used some mistake as an excuse to fire someone.

Deer Smearer · Apr 2, 2020

603 is specific for returning accountables when nobody is present on Saturdays.

Ask for their written SOP for procedures to follow on other days to secure accountables when clearance clerks aren't available.

Bennie Franklin · Apr 2, 2020

I will bet a 24 pack of toilet paper that you aren't getting fired. discipline is progressive. I would worry if you do this 3 more times. If the boss hates you, you are getting a letter of warning. At which time you argue politely your grievance will be that the boss's end of day clearance procedures are lacking.

johnwayne · Apr 2, 2020

to be fair. im not really expecting to be fired. but this is my second i&i in three weeks. last one no discipline was discussed. i expect it will be the same this time. just a crazy pm doing what crazy pms do. Union rep is starting to bring up the term "workplace environment"

Dumbassclerksyndrome · Apr 2, 2020

KMA!!!

DB.Cooper · Apr 2, 2020

johnwayne said:
to be fair. im not really expecting to be fired. but this is my second i&i in three weeks. last one no discipline was discussed. i expect it will be the same this time. just a crazy pm doing what crazy pms do. Union rep is starting to bring up the term "workplace environment"

Sounds like maybe some disparate treatment, maybe harassment, maybe even hostile work environment.... all greivances... honest mistakes with no harm, no foul results, should be a don't do it again, and be more careful response...