ARE YOU IN JEOPARDY?

By Jeff Riddell, Vice President

 

IS FALSIFYING A DOCUMENT WORTH NOT HAVING ANY PAY CHECK AT ALL?

 

A RETIREE CALLED TO SAY THAT HE WAS LIVING THE GOOD LIFE, AND REALLY ENJOYED SMELLING THE SEA, FROM HIS NEW HOME, A BLOCK FROM THE BEACH.  HE WAS QUICK TO REMEMBER, AND SAY, THAT IT WAS ALL A RESULT OF HAVING A RETIREMENT CHECK, AND THE YEARS HE WORKED FOR THE USPS, AND WAS ABLE TO SAVE A COUPLE OF DOLLARS.

 

IS A  FRAUDULENT WORKER’S COMPENSATION CLAIM WORTH LOSING  EVERYTHING, INCLUDING A LIFETIME OF DREAMS?  IT’S HORRIBLE TO SEE A PERSON BEGGING TO BE ALLOWED TO COME TO WORK, AFTER THE REALITY SETS IN THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT “WITH THEIR HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR.”

 

THEY REALLY DO BEG….AND PLEAD….AND APOLOGIZE…..AND CRY FOR FORGIVENESS.    THIS IS NOT TO MOCK ANYBODY, SIMPLY REPORTING THE TRAGIC FACTS.  NOBODY COMES TO THE POST OFFICE PLANNING TO LOSE THEIR JOB.   SITUATIONS COME UP IN EVERYBODY'S LIFE THAT ARE DIFFICULT.  DON’T COMPROMISE YOUR FUTURE BY THE INSTANT GRATIFICATION OF THE MOMENT.  THERE IS ALWAYS AN ALTERNATIVE, THAT WILL NOT IMPACT YOUR LONG TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY.

 

THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, OR INFORMATION TO YOU.  LIFECARE, WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO POSTAL EMPLOYEES, IS A COMPLETE RESOURCE TOOL.  THEY ASSIGN YOU A REFERRAL COUNSELOR----FOR ALL ISSUES.  THIS IS FOR YOU AND YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY. 

 

EAP AND MAP ARE ANOTHER VIABLE OPTION. 

 

THINK IT THROUGH BEFORE YOU MAKE THE CHOICE TO CROSS THE LINE.  JUST BECAUSE THINGS SEEM DESPERATE AT THE MOMENT, DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU ARE ALONE.  THERE IS ASSISTANCE, BUT YOU HAVE TO SEEK IT OUT.

 

AT THE WORST, IT IS BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE OF BEING CAUGHT DOING SOMETHING ILLEGAL, AND LOSING YOUR JOB.