NAPUS Attorney: USPS Is Being Controlled By Bean Counters

Also Warns Postmasters About Using Facebook

Phil Jones, the NAPUS Legal Defense Plan attorney speaking on the final day of the convention:

He complained the USPS is being controlled by bean counters that only are concerned with the bottom line. He referenced the more than 3,000 vacant offices and said that some are being run by PMRs—noncareer employees—instead of Postmasters. “I’ve never seen an organization that was going to be successful base its employment on temporary, nonpermanent employees,” he said. “That is of great concern to me; hopefully some things will change.”

He went on to warn Postmasters of the risks computers pose. He strongly urged them to be careful what they post on their Facebook accounts. “You cannot expect any privacy on your Facebook page,” he said. “If you put something out there that can be viewed as derogatory toward the USPS, a customer or employee, you are opening yourself up to be disciplined.”

Jones also warned everyone of the danger of using their personal computers to check work e-mails from home. Once you use your personal computer to access your office account, the Postal Service now has access to your personal computer’s hard drive. He strongly suggested if you have to work from home, buy another computer with a separate account and dedicate it only to work.

He also said if you receive something via e-mail on your work computer that is not proper, you must immediately respond to the sender and insist he or she not send you anything like this and then you have to inform your MPOO and let him or her know you responded to the sender. “If you don’t,” he advised, “you are hung out there.”

NAPUS Convention News

5 thoughts on “NAPUS Attorney: USPS Is Being Controlled By Bean Counters

  1. How can a PMR that has been OIC at their station for 2 years be allowed to hire another PMR through HR for the same office?

  2. Most can read statutes and codes. Fewer can interpret them. What I care to know, is the “intent” of the legislature when this bill passed and became law.

  3. Section 7. Authority
    The Inspector General is authorized to:
    C. Request any information or assistance from any Federal, State, or local government agency as may be necessary for carrying out Inspector General responsibilities.
    D. Require by subpoena the production of all information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data and documentary evidence necessary in the performance of the Inspector General’s responsibilities. The subpoena, in the case of contumacy or refusal to obey, is enforceable by order of any appropriate United States district court, provided that procedures other than subpoenas shall be used by the Inspector General to obtain documents and information from Federal agencies.

  4. Section 7. Authority
    The Inspector General is authorized to:
    A. Have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other material available to the Library of Congress that relates to its programs and operations. The Office of the Inspector General will work cooperatively on a case-by-case basis with Congressional Research Service management on issues regarding materials which CRS considers to be protected by the speech or debate clause of the U.S. Constitution.

  5. Inspector General Act of 1978
    (5 U.S.C. App. 3)

    § 8G. Requirements for Federal entities and designated Federal entities

    (a) * * *

    (1) the term “Federal entity” means any Government corporation (within the meaning of section 103(1) of title 5, United States Code), any Government controlled corporation (within the meaning of section 103(2) of such title), or any other entity in the Executive branch of the Government, or any independent regulatory agency, but does not include–

    (A) an establishment (as defined under section 11(2) of this Act) or part of an establishment;

    (B) a designated Federal entity (as defined under paragraph (2) of this subsection) or part of a designated Federal entity;

    (C) the Executive Office of the President;

    (D) the Central Intelligence Agency;

    (E) the Government Accountability Office; or

    (F) any entity in the judicial or legislative branches of the Government, including the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and the Architect of the Capitol and any activities under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol;

    (2) the term “designated Federal entity” means . . . the National Archives and Records Administration . . . .

    * * *

    (b) No later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section [Oct. 18, 1988], there shall be established and maintained in each designated Federal entity an Office of Inspector General. The head of the designated Federal entity shall transfer to such office the offices, units, or other components, and the functions, powers, or duties thereof, that such head determines are properly related to the functions of the Office of Inspector General and would, if so transferred, further the purposes of this section. There shall not be transferred to such office any program operating responsibilities.

    (c) Except as provided under subsection (f) of this section, the Inspector General shall be appointed by the head of the designated Federal entity in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations governing appointments within the designated Federal entity.

    (d) Each Inspector General shall report to and be under the general supervision of the head of the designated Federal entity, but shall not report to, or be subject to supervision by, any other officer or employee of such designated Federal entity. The head of the designated Federal entity shall not prevent or prohibit the Inspector General from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation, or from issuing any subpoena during the course of any audit or investigation.

    (e) If an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within a designated Federal entity, the head of the designated Federal entity shall promptly communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of the Congress.

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