Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Here’s what you should know about the Hatch Act
The law applies to social media use, workplace conversations and more
The Postal Service wants employees to learn more about the Hatch Act as the election approaches.
The Hatch Act is a federal law that governs the political activity of all federal government employees, including USPS employees.
Under the Hatch Act, these employees are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity while on duty, while wearing a uniform, while on government property or while inside a vehicle owned or leased by the government.
The law also applies to social media use.
While employees are allowed to engage with partisan political content while off duty and on their personal devices, they are prohibited from posting or sharing messages that solicit political contributions or invite others to political fundraisers.
Under the Hatch Act, employees should also be careful when discussing politics at work.
Generally, employees may discuss current events while on duty, but conversations designed to sway others’ opinions regarding a partisan candidate, partisan political party or partisan political group are prohibited.
Even when federal employees are expressing opinions that are permissible under the Hatch Act, if a political conversation becomes disruptive to the workplace, management may place limitations on those discussions.
Additionally, employees may not display a partisan political candidate’s photograph in the workplace — unless it’s an official portrait of a sitting president or it’s an image that shows the employee with the candidate, it predates the election and it was displayed prior to the election.
There are also rules on what employees may do outside the workplace.
For example, employees may not distribute campaign materials outside the polls on Election Day while wearing a postal uniform.
While the Hatch Act restricts the partisan political activity of federal employees, not all actions are off limits.
For instance, employees are permitted to vote in elections, assist in voter registration drives, donate to political candidates and parties, work at the polls on Election Day, volunteer for political campaigns and attend political fundraisers.
Employees can learn more by going to the USPS Ethics Blue page and the website for the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency that investigates Hatch Act violations and takes disciplinary action.
Heroes
He gave the shirt off his back
A carrier aided a co-worker who had suffered a dog bite
Letter Carrier Jeremy King was assisting a co-worker recently with deliveries on her White Plains, NY, route, but he ended up helping in more ways than one.
King was in his vehicle when he saw a customer attempt to introduce a dog to Letter Carrier Amy Fowler, who was loading her vehicle. The dog suddenly turned aggressive and lunged at her.
The dog bit Fowler’s arm while the owner struggled to gain control of the animal. After the dog let go and was restrained, Fowler had a gash around 2.5 inches long.
King removed his shirt and tied it around Fowler’s arm to stop the bleeding, using his belt to secure the tourniquet. He then called their supervisor to report the incident.
After helping Fowler into his vehicle, King drove her to the nearest hospital.
Doctors credited King’s actions with stemming Fowler’s blood loss and potentially saving her life. Fowler is continuing to recover from the incident.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Oct. 6-12
Stamps and shipping deadlines dominated the week
Last week, Link covered a special dedication ceremony for the new Thank You, Healthcare Community stamp.
The stamp honors those workers who dedicate their lives to our health, safety and well-being — often at great personal risk.
“The Thank You Healthcare Community stamp is special — it recognizes the tremendous work by all health workers across the country. And it comes with our memory of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the critical role that health workers played, still fresh in our minds,” said Xavier Becerra, U.S. health and human services secretary, who spoke at the event.
Link also reported on the release of the Winter Whimsy stamps, as well as the Postal Service’s recommended shipping and mailing deadlines for the holiday season.
Other stories focused on Columbus Day, the Hatch Act, the Combined Federal Campaign, and a request USPS has made to the Postal Regulatory Commission for an advisory opinion.
Additionally, we introduced you to USPS employees who enjoy Dungeons & Dragons, the role-playing game that was recently honored with new stamps; Jeremy King, a White Plains, NY, letter carrier who aided a co-worker who was attacked by a dog; and Solomon, MD, Postmaster Theresa Smith, who turned to Denzel James, a Philadelphia mail handler, to find a customer’s missing package.
She thanked James for his help, praising him for “doing what you do and for representing the brand.”
October 22, 2024
Datebook
PSHB virtual seminar
USPS employees may participate in an upcoming virtual seminar on the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.
The session will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
PSHB — which takes effect in 2025 — is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
USPS employees, annuitants, and eligible family members are required to enroll in this new program.
The MyHR website’s PSHB page has more information, including the Zoom links and passcodes to participate. To find the page, enter “Postal Service Health Benefits” in the MyHR search bar.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees can also receive updates by texting “PSHBP” to 39369.