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Your Postal Service duties come first

There are rules that restrict some outside activities

A USPS delivery vehicle stops at a curbside mailbox on a suburban street.
Employees should never use their Postal Service title, authority or postal property in connection with outside activities.

USPS is reminding employees that outside activities should not conflict with their official Postal Service duties.

Under the federal executive branch’s standards of ethical conduct and the USPS Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct, employees should avoid all conflicts of interest, and never use their Postal Service title or authority, or postal property, in connection with outside activities.

For example, a USPS employee should never:

• Work for or with any company that delivers mailable matter, although employees might be permitted to work for a subsidiary of these companies.

• Conduct business activities while on duty, in uniform, at a Postal Service facility, or using postal equipment.

• Engage in outside fundraising or solicit a subordinate to do so.

• Hold an interest in any mail-carrying contract.

• Work for or with a contract route holder without prior approval from the USPS Ethics Office.  

• Receive nonfederal compensation for teaching, speaking or writing that relates to official USPS duties, though there are limited exceptions.

• Work for or with anyone whose business substantially depends on postal rates, fees or classifications, or who provides goods or services in connection with the Postal Service, without prior approval from the USPS Ethics Office.

Employees with questions should email the USPS Ethics Office or call 202-268-6346. The Ethics Blue page has more information.