Policies, Procedures, and Forms Updates

Manuals

ELM Revision: Training and Development

Effective October 22, 2009, the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM), Chapter 7, Training and Develop­ment, is revised to reflect changes in Postal Service™ pol­icies. Some revisions are not significant; these include changes in section titles, job titles, and organization names as well as improvements in grammar or style. Significant changes include those required to do the following:

n Ensure that training and development objectives, policies, and processes are aligned with Postal Ser­vice strategic objectives and business goals.

n Reflect updates in Postal Service financial and sup­ply management guidelines.

n Reflect replacement of PS Form 1782, Training Request and Authorization, with the eBuy requisition process.

Because Chapter 7 is completely revised, this article provides a summary of the revisions.

Summary of Changes to the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM)

710 Overview

n Added 711.14, Reasonable Accommodation.

n Revised the following: (1) purpose, goals, and objec­tives of the training and development function; (2) description of job training; and (3) conditions of self-development training.

n Added the words “collective bargaining agreement” to 713.3, Assignments After Training.

n Revised 714.122, Justification, to outline procedures for approval of training.

n Revised 714.22, Delivery Sources, to (1) describe the role of Headquarters Employee Development and Diversity (ED&D) in developing and maintaining national training programs; (2) expand descriptions of the National Center for Employee Development and the William F. Bolger Center for Leadership Development; and (3) change the title of 714.225, from “Inspection Service Career Development Branch” to “Strategic Learning Services” and revise the text to describe the office that administers train­ing programs for the Office of Inspector General and the Inspection Service.

n Revised 715, Postal Training Systems, to reflect pro­cess and technological improvements in the admin­istration and tracking of training.

n Revised 716, Expenses, to reflect the use of the eTravel system for reimbursement of regular and local travel expenses.

720 Training and Development Responsibilities and Functions

n Revised 721 to update the training and development responsibilities and functions of Headquarters ED&D and area and district Human Resources supervisors and managers.

n Revised 722 to update purpose, areas of responsibil­ity, reporting relationships, facilities, and reviews for the Postal Employee Development Centers.

730 Training Procedures

n Revised 731, Nomination and Registration, to update criteria and procedures.

n Revised 732.1, Individual Training Records, to update the descriptions of PS Form 2432, Individual Training Progress Report, and PS Form 2548, Individ­ual Training Record.

n Revised 732.2, Training Tracking System, to reflect ED&D as the governing organization.

740 Nonpostal Training Policy

n Changed the title of 741.1 from “Explanation” to “Introduction” and revised content.

n Renumbered 741.23, Restrictions, to 741.24.

n Added 741.23, Eligibility for Tuition Reimbursement, and removed some restrictions.

n Revised 742 to reflect payment for training with eTravel and current reimbursement processes as outlined in Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation.

n Completely revised 742.2, Request and Approval.

n Changed the title of 743 from “Special Factors” to “Reimbursement of College Tuition,” and revised sig­nificantly to (1) reflect current business needs; and (2) to include policy updates on minimum grade require­ment, continued service agreement, conditions for signing, period of commitment, reporting require­ments, special factors (such as failure to enroll or complete training), and conditions for acceptance.

n Added three exhibits to 743: (1) Exhibit 743.1, Roles and Responsibilities; (2) Exhibit 743.2, Nonpostal Training Application Form; and (3) Exhibit 743.43, Continued Service Agreement and Certification Statement.

750 Professional Associations

n Revised 752, Policy, to reflect current policy on employee compensation and “official capacity” as it relates to membership and participation in external professional associations.

n Revised 753.11b to clarify conditions for use of Postal Service funds for payment of individual volun­tary memberships.

n Revised 754.6, Approval of Registration Fees, to reflect the replacement of PS Form 7381, Requisition for Supplies, Services, or Equipment, with the eBuy requisition process.

n Revised 753.3, Procurement of Memberships, to reflect that Supply Management is responsible for coordination, procurement, and recording of institu­tional memberships, and that Purchasing and Mate­rials is no longer responsible.

n Deleted 755, Privileges, per legal recommendation.

We will incorporate the complete text of these revisions into the next printed version of the ELM and into the online update available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:

n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

n Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click PolicyNet.

n On the PolicyNet page, click Manuals.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)