The Postal Service wants employees to know that the organization keeps their health information confidential. This includes employees who contract COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
The Rehabilitation Act and the Privacy Act, two federal laws, require agencies to keep specific employee medical information confidential and to share it only in very limited circumstances with individuals legally entitled to know.
USPS will inform employees if someone in their workplace is confirmed to have COVID-19, but the organization will not identify the individual by name.
The Postal Service also works closely with local public health departments and the organization’s own occupational health nurse administrators to identify anyone who has been in close contact with the individual to help them assess their health risk.
Otherwise, USPS cannot share with employees the name or medical condition of any employee, including those who tested positive for COVID-19.
The Postal Service is providing this information to employees through stand-up talks and reminding workers that the best defense against COVID-19 and other illnesses is good personal hygiene, including washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
The COVID-19 Blue and LiteBlue pages have additional resources for employees.
