U.S. Postal Service Policy on Diversity

It is the policy of the U.S. Postal Service to value and manage the diversity of our employees,
customers, and suppliers by doing what is right for our employees and the communities we serve,
thereby ensuring a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

Diversity in the U.S. Postal Service is defined as the mixture of differences and similarities of our
employees, customers, and suppliers. Simply stated, valuing and managing diversity in this
organization means that we will build an inclusive environment that respects the uniqueness of
every individual and encourages the contributions of people from different backgrounds,
experiences, and perspectives.

Diversity is key to our corporate success because it affects every aspect of our organization:
employees, customers, and business. The strategic advantage of investing in a strong diversity
program is the creation of a positive work environment that recognizes the contributions of all
employees with diverse backgrounds.

We will focus on diversity in our recruitment, selection, and retention of employees. When
developing succession plans and making promotions, we will strongly support diversity, thereby
creating an even playing field for all employees. To ensure that we meet the needs of our diverse
customers, we will eliminate barriers and create products and services relevant to our diverse
communities with a goal of increasing customer satisfaction, ease of use, and revenue. We will
ensure that all suppliers have the opportunity to compete for our contracts, and that our local
purchasing policies support the local business community and encourage economic development
of all diverse groups.

All employees share responsibility for achieving our diversity goals. For diversity to be
successfully integrated, diversity initiatives must continue to be guided by leadership’s full
commitment. All executives, managers, and supervisors are responsible and accountable for
managing and integrating diversity into our business management process.
To build mutual respect into all of our relationships, employees at all levels must get involved and
participate by valuing the differences and cultures of others as well as their own. This will require
mutual adjustment and understanding. These actions are critical to diversity becoming an integral
part of the organization and benefit not only the individual but, ultimately, our national and global
marketplace.

To achieve the maximum success in each of our corporate goals, diversity must be afforded the
same focus as the key indicators under the CustomerPerfect umbrella. To create the required
balance between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction, we must employ strategies
and values that promote fairness and opportunities, instill pride, and enhance safety in the
workplace.

Together we can ensure that every decision we make will support a diversity plan that benefits
our employees and the communities we serve in a way that allows the U.S. Postal Service to
achieve maximum corporate success and positive recognition as a world-class business leader.

William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, CEO
Postal Bulletin 21979, 8-27-98