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Rules of Thumb for New EAS Employees

Rules of Thumb for New EAS Employees
By Dee Perez
NAPS New York Area Vice President

Welcome to the front lines where all the heat takes place—and not because it’s summer. Thank you for raising your hand! We all are glad you decided to take on the enormous number of tasks and responsibilities that come with your EAS position today.

Obviously, you like to be challenged and welcome the opportunity to grow as an individual, while trying to achieve new heights as an EAS employee. Let’s not forget why we all have chosen to become EAS employees: to earn a better salary and retirement and because, deep inside, you want to make a difference to the public you serve and the people with whom you work. I feel this way!

The first rule of thumb is do not become buddies with the people you manage. Being friendly and respectful is fine. Always treat them with dignity and respect, regardless of the situation. Do not belittle another EAS employee in front of craft employees or craft employees in front of their peers.

You are a leader! You no longer own the title of craft employee, but are now a supervisor. This new title requires you to become an engaged leader, meaning you always are going to be in the spotlight. Everyone is watching your every move and hearing everything you say.

Do not be the kind of leader who says, “Do as I say, not as I do.” It’s just a matter of time before this attitude and thought process will land you in big trouble.

The second rule of thumb is that, as a new EAS employee, you need to respect those in superior positions of authority. You don’t have to like them, but you need to respect what they are telling you to do, providing it is the right thing to do.

When you question your superior, you need to know what you are talking about and do it in a respectful manner. Remember, they are the ones responsible for your facility. It’s not your turn yet. This opportunity will present itself down the road when you gain knowledge and experience and prove to be able to do it, but not before then.

The third rule of thumb is you are on the front lines now. Make it your business to know the area in which you work. Come to work 15 minutes early in order to be acclimated to what the day will bring. Take notes; do not commit information to memory. Too many things take place every hour of the day to depend on hitting the recall button in your brain.

The fourth rule of thumb is to make it your business to go to naps.org and find out who your local NAPS branch president is, when the next meeting is and then plan on attending. Get involved! Don’t sit on the sidelines, watching. You learn by participating. Even if you don’t want to get too involved, at least use this networking opportunity to meet new EAS peers.

A highly engaged, good branch president will have at least two membership meetings a year, if not more. They should send you a newsletter about their next meeting with a date, time, location and guest speakers. They also should have an email distribution list; ask to be added.

These meetings are informative and can help resolve many concerns in your district by following up and addressing issues with the local MPOO, district manager, plant manager or friendly VMF manager.

The fifth rule of thumb is that, EAS rookie, it is more than likely someone thought enough about you to stand you up as a 204 (b), from which you progressed to being an EAS employee. If you have any self-doubts, do us all a favor and don’t step up to be an EAS employee.

We need people who want to be here, not people who have doubts and would rather work at USPS Headquarters without earning their postal frontline infantry badge. An EAS leader who hasn’t served on the front lines never will earn the respect of those they currently manage.

The sixth rule of thumb is take your EAS position seriously. Never compromise your integrity for anything or anyone. If you mess up, own it! And don’t allow it to happen again.

Sign five nonmembers and join the “High-Five Club!”