Health and Safety

HEALTH and SAFETY

This page is here to help all our Brothers and Sisters get through the day safe and sound and back home to their families. Visit it often cause it changes with the seasons.

Safety and You

As the seasons change so does the condition in which we work in. Remember SAFETY FIRST.
When your safety comes in question whether in the office or out in the street consult your
Supervisor, Shop Steward and Safety Officer.

Health, Illness and Injury

Life has a way of making our daily lives go so wrong from catching a cold to falling down causing a bad sprain that can put us out for days, weeks or even months. Here is a guide to get you through and remember you can consult your Shop Steward on any question you may have or as soon as any discipline arises.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees eligible letter carriers up to 12 weeks of leave each postal leave year, for:

A new child in the family—by birth, by adoption or by placement in foster care;
Caring for a family member with a serious health condition;
The employee's own serious health condition that prevents him or her from performing the job, or
Qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that employee’s family member is on or has been notified of “covered active duty” in the Armed Forces.

The FMLA also guarantees eligible letter carriers up to 26 weeks of leave in a single 12-month period to care for a “covered servicemember” with a “serious injury or illness” if that servicemember is their spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin.

The FMLA guarantees time off, whether paid or unpaid. The type of leave taken depends on the reasons for the leave, an employee's earnings and the usual postal leave regulations. There are eligibility criteria, medical certification guidelines and other detailed rules governing letter carrier rights to FMLA leave.

This page links to useful NALC materials, federal regulations and information on the Web about the FMLA.

LEAVE DONATION

The maximum number of hours we can carry every year is 520 hours. We are in a use it or lose it with any hours over that amount. Sometimes our NALC Br. 294 Office puts out fliers to the stations for a Union Brother or Sister that needs some time off due to their own health issues or a loved one where they exhausted their time in the crisis. So please share your hours to help others instead of losing them back to the USPS.

Have An On The Job Injury

There are times when we just want to get to work and have an uneventful day and get back home. Sadly things happen during the course of the day where we get hurt by no cause of our own. There are many forms to deal with when this happens. When you do get hurt you are to report it immediately no matter how minor. If it is more severe and you do need to file an on the job injury contact your Supervisor and Union Representative asap.

COVID-19 Is Still Around

We have seen a downturn of COVID cases since the pandemic broke out in 2019. We have gone through up and down spikes due to variants and family and friend activities during the Holidays. Many of the protocols have been dropped preceded by President Biden signing the Congressional Joint Resolution on April 11, 2023. Click the link (Discontinuance of COVID-19 Protocols Memo) that was sent out by the USPS on May 12, 2023 on the protocol changes. Depending upon how serious the illness may be you may be required to bring in documentation and even have to file an FMLA case if you are out sick 3 days or more. As new variants emerge it is suggested that you receive the latest vaccine for protection.

What is the Employee
Assistance Program (EAP)?

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, work-based program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have personal and/or work-related problems. EAPs address a broad and complex body of issues affecting mental and emotional well-being, such as alcohol and other substance abuse, stress, grief, family problems, and psychological disorders. EAP counselors also work in a consultative role with managers and supervisors to address employee and organizational challenges and needs. Many EAPs are active in helping organizations prevent and cope with workplace violence, trauma, and other emergency response situations.

Mission Statement

To aid postal employees and retirees whose homes are completely destroyed or left uninhabitable as a result of a major natural disaster or house fire. When disaster strikes and all is lost, PERF is committed to helping postal families rebuild their lives.

No state has been exempt.
We are all potential victims.

NALC Disaster Relief Foundation

As announced at the 2018 NALC Convention in Detroit, the union has established the NALC Disaster Relief Foundation to alleviate the suffering of members affected by natural disasters, including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires. “Branches wanted to know where they could send desperately needed supplies and money, but there wasn’t a central location,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. “That’s why we created this foundation, to reflect the will of the members and make it easy for them to help others in need quickly and efficiently.”

Physicians For Our Membership

President Tony Paolillo and our Branch Officers have compiled a list of doctors that are there to help our Union Members. If you need a Federal Compensation doctor check with those on the list if you need them for an on the job injury or referral. It is recommended to seek out your own Federal Comp Doctor after your initial visit with the USPS Doctor you are sent to.

Flushing Letter Carriers NALC Br. 294

OPEN SEASON IN NOVEMBER

FEHB to change to PSHB

When is the next Open Season?

HEALTH and SAFETY

Due to the nature of our job please keep up to date with all vaccines to protect you, your co-workers, customers, friends and family.

Safety and You

Health, Illness and Injury

The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program

Open Season Starts In November 2023!

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

MBA (Mutual Benefits Association)