Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Just say no to endorsements
A USPS employee should never use their position or title to tout private products or services
USPS is reminding employees about the rules on unauthorized endorsements.
Because of the nature of the Postal Service’s business, private organizations might seek to further their interests by requesting an endorsement — a favorable comment about a product, service or enterprise provided in writing, on video or in a public forum — from a USPS employee.
Under federal ethics guidelines, employees may not use their postal positions or titles for the commercial gain of private organizations. Employees providing such endorsements in their official capacity could lead to the appearance that the Postal Service itself supports or sanctions the product, service or business.
Only the postmaster general or the full executive leadership team may authorize an endorsement of any outside business on behalf of the Postal Service.
Employees may endorse a private business in their personal capacity. For example, employees may leave positive reviews for products purchased online if they do so under their own names and make no reference to their postal positions.
If an outside entity asks an employee to provide a reference, favorable statement or any other kind of endorsement, he or she should email the USPS Ethics Office or call 202-268-6346.
New video explores American Revolution battles
These five clashes led to independence
The Postal Service has released a video about its Battlefields of the American Revolution stamps.
The two-minute video features comments from Judy de Torok, the Postal Service’s corporate affairs vice president, who spoke at the April 16 dedication ceremony for the stamps.
“These Forever stamps focus on five important battlefields where so many fought and sacrificed for American independence,” she says in the video.
De Torok gives an overview of each battle, culminating with the final British surrender at Yorktown.
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Fly flags at half-staff to honor Pope Francis
All Postal Service facilities should fly the U.S. flag at half-staff to honor Pope Francis, who died April 21.
Flags should be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment.
To fly the flag at half-staff, hoist the flag to the peak for an instant and then lower it to the half-staff position. The flag should be raised to the peak again before it’s lowered for the day.
For additional information, refer to the Postal Service’s guidelines on U.S. flag display and maintenance.
