ELM 55 - Employee and Labor Relations Manual - Contents
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ELM 55 - Employee and Labor Relations Manual - Contents
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ELM 55 - Employee and Labor Relations Manual - Contents
ELM 55 - Employee and Labor Relations Manual - Contents
Transmittal Letter
Summary of Changes
How to Use the Summary of Changes
1 Organizational Structures
110 General Information
111 Purpose
112 Responsibilities
113 Definitions
114 Organization Charts
120 Structures and Staffing
121 Overview
122 Structuring Principles
123 Standard Structures
124 Specialized Structures
125 Staffing
130 Organizational Change Criteria
131 Workload Increase or Decrease
132 Change in Nature of Work
133 Duplication of Functional Responsibility
134 Inappropriate Reporting Relationships
135 Unconnected Work
136 Inappropriate Span of Control
137 Change in Mission
138 Reduction of Expenses
139 Completion of Transition
140 Organizational Change Analysis
141 Analysis of Work Requirements
142 Analysis of Skill Requirements
143 Analysis of Functional Relationships
144 Identification of Discrepancies
150 Organizational Change
151 Performance Issues
152 Reasons for Making Organizational Changes
153 Types of Organizational Changes
154 Submitting Requests
155 Documenting Requests
156 Approval Authority and Disposition of Requests
157 Implementation
160 Monitoring and Assessment
161 Organizational Management System
162 Organization, Staffing, and Position Reviews
2 Job Evaluation
210 General Information
211 Purpose
212 Responsibilities
213 Job Descriptions
220 Nonbargaining Unit Positions
221 Job Descriptions
222 Requesting a Job Evaluation Review
230 Bargaining Unit Positions Covered by a National Agreement
231 Job Descriptions
232 Using PS Form 820
233 Evaluating Bargaining Unit Positions
234 Appeals
240 Other Bargaining Unit Positions
250 Position Reviews
251 Qualification Standards
3 Employment and Placement
310 General Provisions
311 Functional Responsibilities
320 Recruitment
321 General Provisions for Recruitment
322 Special Employment Programs (Employment of Individuals With Disabilities)
330 Examinations
331 Purpose of Examinations
332 Conducting Examinations
333 Veterans’ Preference
334 Establishing Hiring Lists
340 Suitability, Selection, and Appointment
341 Positions Restricted to Preference Eligibles
342 Preemployment Suitability Determinations
343 Applicants Separated for Cause
344 Hiring Worksheets
345 Auditing Hiring Lists
346 Conditional Offer of Appointment
347 Former Postal or Federal Employees
348 Dual Employment
349 Official Personnel Folder
350 Assignment, Reassignment, and Promotion
351 Introduction
352 Selection for Bargaining Positions
353 Selection for Nonbargaining Positions
354 Assignment of Unassigned Employees
355 Light Duty Assignments
360 Other Personnel Actions
361 General Considerations
362 Change to Lower Level
363 Conversions
364 Changes in Duty Status
365 Separation
370 Performance Evaluation
371 Introduction
372 Sound Supervision
373 Performance Evaluation Systems
374 Discussing Performance With Employees
375 Outstanding and Unsatisfactory Performance
376 Performance Evaluation During Probation
380 Postal Career Executive Service
381 Purpose
382 Equal Opportunity
383 Positions in the PCES
384 Filling PCES Vacancies
4 Pay Administration
410 Pay Administration Policy for Nonbargaining Unit Employees
411 General
412 New Appointment
413 Promotion to Nonbargaining Unit Positions
414 Reassignment
415 Rate Retention and Change to Lower Nonbargaining Unit Grade
416 Pay for Performance Program
417 Temporary Assignment to Nonbargaining Unit Positions (Career Employees)
418 Assignment to a Different Salary Schedule — Equivalent Grades
419 Supplemental Noncareer Workforce
420 Wage Administration Policy for Bargaining Unit Employees
421 General Principles and Terms
422 Salary Schedules Covered by Specific Agreements
430 Basic and Special Pay Provisions
431 Scope
432 General Definitions and Provisions
433 Straight Time Pay
434 Overtime and Premium Pay
435 Severance Pay
436 Back Pay
437 Waiver of Claims for Erroneous Payment of Pay
438 Pay During Travel or Training
439 Territorial Cost‑of‑Living Allowance
440 Fair Labor Standards Act Administration
441 Overview
442 Equal Pay Provisions
443 Overtime Pay
444 Rural Letter Carrier Compensation
445 Compliance Investigations
450 Collection of Postal Debts From Nonbargaining Unit Employees by Salary Offset
451 General
452 Procedures Governing Administrative Salary Offsets
453 Court Judgment Salary Offsets
454 Multiple Offsets
455 Action Upon Transfer or Separation
460 Collection of Postal Debts From Bargaining Unit Employees by Salary Offset
461 General
462 Procedures Governing Administrative Salary Offsets
463 Court Judgment Salary Offsets
464 Multiple Offsets
465 Action upon Transfer or Separation
470 Administrative Offsets for Former Postal Service Nonbargaining Unit Employees
471 General
472 Federal Claims Collection Standards Adopted
473 Collection by Administrative Wage Garnishment
480 Administrative Offsets for Former Postal Service Bargaining Unit Employees
481 Definitions
482 Right to Grieve Letters of Demand
483 Referral and Administrative Wage Garnishment
484 Application of Administrative Offset Provisions
485 Stay of Collection of Debt
490 Recognition and Awards
491 Overview
492 Certificate of Appreciation
493 Service Awards
494 Informal Award
495 Formal Awards
496 Special Awards
497 Other Awards
498 Inspection Service Awards
5 Employee Benefits
510 Leave
511 General
512 Annual Leave
513 Sick Leave
514 Leave Without Pay
515 Absence for Family Care or Illness of Employee
516 Absences for Court‑Related Service
517 Paid Military Leave
518 Holiday Leave
519 Administrative Leave
520 Health Benefits Program
521 Administration and Eligibility
522 Health Insurance Plans Available
523 Election Procedures
524 Enrollment
525 Special Circumstances Affecting Health Insurance Coverage
526 Self‑Support Determinations
527 Privacy Act Considerations
528 Employee Appeals
530 Life Insurance Program
531 Administration and Eligibility
532 Coverage
533 Cost, Payment, Withholdings
534 Special Circumstances Affecting Coverage
535 Actions
536 Retirement
537 Reemployed Annuitants
538 Beneficiaries, Benefits Payable, Claims
539 Insurance Forms
540 Injury Compensation Program
541 Overview
542 FECA Claim Requirements
543 Employee Rights
544 Reporting Procedures
545 Control Office or Control Point Claim Management Responsibility
546 Reassignment or Reemployment of Employees Injured on Duty
547 Third Party Liability
550 Unemployment Compensation
551 Overview
552 Responsibilities
553 Explanation of Forms and Procedures
554 Appeals
560 Civil Service Retirement Program
561 General
562 Creditable Service
563 Annuities — Requirements and Procedures
564 Types of Annuities
565 Employee’s Retirement Account
566 Annuity Computation
567 Death Benefits — Death in Service
568 Management‑Initiated Disability Retirement Procedures
569 General Retirement Information
570 Social Security and Medicare
571 General Information
572 Coverage
573 Social Security and Medicare Contributions
574 Quarters of Coverage
575 Benefits
580 Federal Employees Retirement System
581 General
582 Creditable Service
583 Annuities
584 Types of Annuities
585 Employee’s Retirement Account
586 Annuity Computation
587 Death Benefits — Death in Service
588 Management-Initiated Disability Retirement Procedures
589 General Retirement Information
590 Thrift Savings Plan
591 Overview
592 Contributions
593 Investments
594 Adjustments
595 Termination of Contributions
596 Loans
597 Withdrawal of Funds
598 Court Orders
599 TSP Contact Mailing and Fax Information
6 Employee Relations
610 Employee Services
611 Scope
612 Information Media
613 Credit Unions
614 Food Services
615 Social Recreational Program
616 Savings Bond Program
617 Combined Federal Campaign Program
620 Contests
621 Scope
622 Objective
623 Responsibilities
624 Establishment
625 Implementation
626 Types of Awards
627 Limitations
630 Reserved
640 Employee Claims
641 Nonbargaining Unit Employees
642 Bargaining Unit Employees
650 Nonbargaining Disciplinary, Grievance, and Appeal Procedures
651 Disciplinary and Emergency Procedures
652 Appeal Procedures
660 Conduct
661 Statutory Provisions
662 Federal Standards of Ethical Conduct
663 Participation in Political and Community Activities
664 Bribery, Undue Influence, or Coercion
665 Postal Service Standards of Conduct
666 Prohibited Personnel Practices
667 Service Matters
668 Legal Assistance Provided by the Postal Service
669 Definitions
670 Diversity, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Prevention of Employment Discrimination
671 Diversity Overview
672 Federal Laws and Regulations, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Prohibiting Employment Discrimination
673 Postal Service Policy
674 Organizational Responsibilities
675 Special Emphasis Programs
676 On‑Site EEO Evaluations
680 Participation in Supervisory and Managerial Organizations
681 Participation Rights
682 Postal Service Representation at Organization Gatherings
683 District Meetings for Postmasters
690 Inventions and Patents
691 Policy
692 Authority
693 Definitions
694 Reporting Inventions
695 Determination of Rights in and to an Invention
696 Appeals and Petitions
697 Timeliness
698 Correspondence
7 Training and Development
710 Overview
711 Policy, Goals, Objectives, and Categories
712 Training Compensation Guidelines
713 Selection
714 Training Delivery
715 Postal Training Systems
716 Expenses
717 Non-Postal Service Personnel Participation in Postal Training
720 Training and Development Responsibilities and Functions
721 Organizational Responsibilities and Functions
722 Learning Development and Diversity Center – Organization and Operations
730 Training Procedures
731 Nomination and Registration
732 Training Records and Reports
740 External Training Policy
741 Background
742 General Procedures
743 Roles and Responsibilities
744 External Training Requirements
750 Professional Associations
751 Definition
752 Policy
753 Payment of Membership Dues or Fees
754 Attendance at Meetings and Conferences
8 Safety, Health, and Environment
810 Occupational Safety and Health Program
811 General
812 Management Responsibilities
813 Safety and Health Staff Responsibilities
814 Employee Rights and Responsibilities
815 Executive and Management Safety and Health Committees
816 Joint Labor‑Management Safety and Health Committees
817 Training and Education
818 Safety and Health Program Budgeting
819 Accountability for Safety and Health Performance, Compliance, and Evaluations
820 Reports and Investigations, Program Evaluations, and Inspections
821 Actions in the Event of Accident, Injury, or Illness
822 Supplementary Actions in the Event of Serious Accidents, Including Fatalities
823 Program Evaluation
824 Safety and Health Inspections
825 OSHA Inspections
830 Motor Vehicle and Industrial Safety
831 Motor Vehicle Safety
832 Powered Industrial Truck Safety
833 Safety and Health in Design, Procurement, and Construction
840 Safety Awareness Programs
841 Program Promotion
842 National Safety Awards and Contests
843 Safety Incentive Programs
844 Seatbelt Use Incentive
850 Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention and Control
851 General Responsibilities
852 Emergency Action Plan
853 Emergency Evacuation Teams and Drills
854 Fire Prevention Plan
855 Fire Inspections
856 Alarm Systems and Extinguishers
857 Vehicle Protection
858 Codes, Standards, and Ordinances
860 Occupational Health Services
861 Scope
862 Policies
863 Staffing and Functional Responsibilities
864 Medical Assessments and Examinations
865 Return to Duty After Absence for Medical Reasons
866 Medical Emergencies
867 Rehabilitation After Work‑Related Injury or Illness
868 General Procedures
870 Reserved
880 Smoking
881 Definition
882 Policy
890 Ergonomics Program
891 Scope
892 Principles
893 Program Elements
894 Responsibilities
9 Labor Relations
910 Employee Organizations
911 Participation and Membership in Labor Organizations
912 Participation and Membership in Supervisory and Managerial Organizations
920 Dues Withholding for Employee Organizations
921 Voluntary Withholding of Dues
922 Dues Collection Schedule
923 Eligible Organizations
924 Authorization for Dues Withholding
925 Cancellation of Dues Withholding Authorization
926 Coding Instructions
930 Work Clothes and Uniforms
931 Uniforms
932 Uniform Requirements
933 Authorized Uniform Items and Combinations
934 Wearing of Uniform Items
935 Uniform and Work Clothes Allowances
936 Payments
937 Uniform Vendors
938 Supervisor Work Clothes Program
939 Authorized Exceptions
940 Employee Assistance Program
941 Introduction
942 Program Elements
943 Reinstatement of Recovered Employees
944 EAP Counseling Records
Appendix — Records Control Schedules
Introduction
General Records
Program Administration
Office Administration
Employee and Labor Relations Records
Personnel Planning
Employment Administration
Health and Employee Services
Training
Labor Relations
Compensation
Keyword Index for the Appendix
Index
Forms Index
TOC
Forms Index
Forms Index
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Who we are
>
Postal profile
Our history
Postal Facts
Leadership
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>
Who we are
>
Leadership
Board of Governors
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Government Relations
Home
>
Who we are
>
Government Relations
Contact us
Current priorities
Key topics
Economic impact
Judicial Officer
Home
>
Who we are
>
Judicial Officer
Board of Contract Appeals decisions
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Home
>
Who we are
>
Stamp committee
Background
Members
Selection process
Selection criteria
Artwork
Reproduction
What we do
Home
>
What we do
Strategic planning
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Performance
Strategic planning
Home
>
What we do
>
Strategic planning
Delivering for America
Archived publications
Business services
Home
>
What we do
>
Business services
Licensing
Rights and permissions
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>
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>
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Social responsibility
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>
What we do
>
Social responsibility
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Home
>
What we do
>
Performance
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Newsroom
Home
>
Newsroom
News
Service alerts
Holidays and events
Digital Media
News
Home
>
Newsroom
>
News
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Service alerts
Home
>
Newsroom
>
Service alerts
Residential issues
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Resources
Home
>
Resources
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Find a form
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>
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>
Find a form
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Careers
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Home
>
Careers
>
Career opportunities
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Working at USPS
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>
Careers
>
Working at USPS
Compensation and benefits
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Home
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How to apply
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Exams