Cargo hold

New USPS-approved cargo-pocket pants are now available for purchase by city letter carriers.

In addition to the standard side seam pockets, the new trousers have a utility pocket lower down on each leg — a useful spot for scanners and other mobile devices.

The pants are offered in men’s and women’s styles and in summer and winter weights.

“I tried them on, and the scanner fit in the pocket perfectly,” said Linda Williams, uniform program coordinator at Postal Service headquarters in Washington, DC. “This is convenient because it allows carriers to slip the scanner in the pocket and keep on moving.”

The trousers can be purchased from all approved uniform program vendors.

That list can be found by searching “uniform program” on Blue and LiteBlue.

Supervisors and managers are responsible for monitoring the uniforms worn by staff to ensure that each employee is properly attired.

To establish an employee in the uniform allowance program, managers must complete the Uniform Allowance Request Interactive Worksheet located on the Human Resources Shared Service Center’s Uniform Program page. The worksheet can be accessed on Blue and submitted electronically to the HRSSC.

Installation heads should post a list of authorized uniform items for employees to review.

The Employee and Labor Relations Manual provides more detail on uniform requirements, and the Postal Uniform Guidelines booklet provides illustrations of how to wear uniforms correctly.

Medicare and retirement

Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar on Medicare and retirement.

The session will be held Wednesday, March 15, at noon EDT.

Leslie Priest, a senior relationship manager with Aetna, will discuss benefits available for federal employees after retirement, including health plans, Medicare parts A and B, and dental and vision care. She will also provide a checklist for retirement.

Participants must register before the event on the webinar website. After signing up, directions will be emailed to each registrant.

Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees may only participate off-the-clock or during authorized breaks.

The “Financial Wellness” tab on the Wellness team’s LiteBlue page also has retirement planning information. Those with questions about the session should email the Wellness team.

Spring time

Daylight saving time returns Sunday, March 12, at 2 a.m.

In areas where the change is observed, clocks should be set ahead one hour Saturday, March 11, at bedtime.

Standard time will resume Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 a.m.