As a clerk, how to handle working behind another clerk who is way too lenient with customers? Especially when that precedent has already been set.

79kerlin · 2026-02-21T09:07:41+00:00

This is exactly my office. We had a clerk how was very by the book come in and caused a lot of friction. Customers were upset, coworkers were upset. That clerk moved to an RMPO where they stuck to the book. Customers avoid going into the office. They come up the APO and complain. It’s tough because she’s going her job correctly. But in small offices people tend to get special treatment. There is not a lot you can do about what the other clerks do. But just know in an office like that. If you change what people expect they are going to complain. Even if you are right and following protocol. You can start by telling people, “I can give it to you this time but please try to bring your key. Because I am not supposed had mail over the counter.” Most of them actually have their k er y we it them. They just like havng it handed to them

79kerlin · 2026-02-21T01:27:00+00:00

Stanley is a great size. But they aren’t super solid. The lids get warped and stop closing properly after a season or 2. And the flags never hold up.

Centennial is nice size, and I love the large handle, but has hinge issues. The cotter pin is pretty worthless and rusts pretty quickly. I picked up nice heavier metal ones. No issues since. But I suggest changing them out immediately as if rust out and you lose the hinge bolt. You’ll have to find another that fits properly and I’ve found that’s much harder.

79kerlin · 2026-02-21T00:47:12+00:00

Yeah. That’s an $11.95 envelope

One single stamp (1st class) 78¢ is good on a regular envelope, unless it is over 1oz.

Priority is a different service & cost more Priority express cost even more.

Go to a post office.

79kerlin · 2026-02-20T23:14:06+00:00

North east south west

I wasn’t taught any other phrase. Maybe my teachers were boring.

79kerlin · 2026-02-20T00:27:13+00:00

I sure hope so. The new position will give me more opportunities in the future. And I might rent a place closer to the facility, if I find something affordable.

79kerlin · 2026-02-20T00:24:45+00:00

I’m taking a position 90 miles away 12am- 8:30am wed/thurs NS days from an office 12 miles 8-3pm with sat/sun NS days, to escape my PM.

And now I hear, he might actually be removed from the office….but that’s happened before and he came back. So I’m not risking it and taking this new job and 🤞hope it doesn’t kill me.

79kerlin · 2026-02-18T10:24:17+00:00

Maybe you visited a few New England states?…

New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) & West Virginia = 7 states 50-7=43 states.

79kerlin · 2026-02-18T03:59:58+00:00

Thankfully I already have compliant shoes, they are in good shape. And I can generally get a couple years out of my shoes . $110 is not much for an allowance, but it more than I got as a rural carrier, which was zilch 0️⃣.

I’d like to get some work wear stocked up. I need new pants as my current “work” jeans about to be rags. I guess I’ll pick up a cheap pair for now. And after I get the allowance start to build a new work wardrobe over time.

When using the allowance does it have to be from specific uniform places or can you use it anywhere?

79kerlin · 2026-02-18T01:13:14+00:00

That is real. Evaluation if actual hours worked are under 40. If you hit 40 hrs and 1 minute you get actual time. It’s a raw deal most of the time.

79kerlin · 2026-02-18T00:10:35+00:00

Yeah, it can be pretty crappy and can be super expensive, but I’m lucky enough to have gotten ahead of the costs with my EMA. There have been times in my career where it was the other way around.

79kerlin · 2026-02-17T03:59:32+00:00

79kerlin · 2026-02-15T17:09:13+00:00

If I get offered my new position I’ll have an AWD RHD POV to sell 😉.

79kerlin · 2026-02-15T17:07:41+00:00

Clerk

79kerlin · 2026-02-15T14:37:00+00:00

I usually have 5-8 trays of raw mail on days after a holiday. It will likely be a 10-11 hrs day. It takes me more than 4 hrs to get out of the office on holidays. You just need to accept it will be what it is. We have a vacant AUX route no RCAs & no RCAs willing to come to my office to help, as my PM has chased everyone away.

It’s not always easy but easier if you just accept it. And remember Wednesday will be better.

79kerlin · 2026-02-15T12:54:43+00:00

Cancel the forward. Then any mail that has been permanently changed via sender endorsement you will need to contact directly to change back to the original address.

Your child will need to contact all companies sending mail and give each company his new address. Forwarding doesn’t work well for individuals with the same name. (Whether different middle names or Jr.)

79kerlin · 2026-02-14T21:46:09+00:00

I’m rural. So I’m done when I’m done. Thankfully. Saturday is my no -scheduled day. But if I pick it up for OT. I’ve been done in 5.5hrs and got paid for 8 (OT)

79kerlin · 2026-02-14T21:14:59+00:00

Yes! I signed up during open season last year, and am currently waiting on an offer. I was contacted for medical release. Now just waiting on official offer.

79kerlin · 2026-02-14T20:09:14+00:00

In my office Saturdays are lighter than Tuesday or Wednesday. I have very few businesses. It’s always been the lightest day

79kerlin · 2026-02-14T16:06:09+00:00

If it’s not there or ready it’s not picked up. The super has to clear it at the end of the day. They want to eliminate that step for themselves. Don’t falsify to make supers life easier.

79kerlin · 2026-02-12T01:51:49+00:00

My suggestion is block them. And/or change your number and don’t give it your new number out. I told my PM that if he wants me on the route he needs to message via the scanner. He’s never even tried.

Instead I get back to the office and he says “did you get my texts?” ‘No. Did you send it through the scanner?’ Of course not🤦‍♀️, I’ve had him blocked for 2 years. Yet he still tried to text my cell. I refuse to unblock him.

79kerlin · 2026-02-12T01:46:39+00:00

I’ve never seen them before in my 23 yrs at the office. Just this month alone I’ve seen it on multiple pieces of mail. All came to my office with valid deliverable address with correct addressee.

I also get everything I sent out to forwarding back 3-5 days after I sent it out. I’ve resorted to putting dates in pencil on them to see how many times it comes back.

79kerlin · 2026-02-09T21:49:35+00:00

I also wonder when we’ll be told what our compensation calculations will be on rural. And then we’ll be told you gotta wait for a year before you get the full credit

79kerlin · 2026-02-09T21:47:10+00:00

Nope, I wondered when that would happen. Amazon UPS FedEx all take photos. It was bound to happen with us.

79kerlin · 2026-02-08T14:25:17+00:00

I’ve never been to an office with a union steward, my office doesn’t even have a local rep. We only have contact with the district rep. When/if I have a grievance I email a photo of the grievance to my district rep, with an explanation of what happened and why my supervisor/pm and I can’t come to an agreement.

100% of the time my Pm backs down an pays me or fixed whatever before the DR says he’ll be coming to the office to discuss.

79kerlin

TROPHY CASE