Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Your Postal Service duties come first
There are rules that restrict some 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.
On the Job
She embraces opportunities
This employee started as a mail handler and now is in charge of the technology behind commercial shipping
My name is Angela Dyer and I am the Postal Service’s senior director of commerce applications.
I lead the development, transformation and maintenance of more than 75 commercial shipping applications that generate more than $60 billion a year in revenue for USPS. These include USPS.com, Click-N-Ship, USPS Ship, PostalOne! and application program interfaces, or APIs.
The Postal Service has embraced modern, easy-to-use technologies that have reshaped how large companies, small businesses and individual customers interact with us.
For me, it’s all about enhancing the customer experience. We are expanding access to our products and services, which ultimately drives business growth.
The real magic? My team. The developers behind the code are the wizards behind the curtain. Their work supports both internal operations and external customer needs — driving engagement and revenue for USPS.
I’ve been with the Postal Service for 17 years, and my career path has been anything but traditional.
I started as a part-time mail handler in my hometown of Kansas City, MO. When local leadership learned about my legal background — prior to coming to USPS, I was a legal assistant — they offered me a detail assignment in labor relations.
From there, I moved into retail operations, working on a station and branch optimization program. Later, I became a mailing standards specialist, where I developed expertise in commercial acceptance and data analytics.
In 2014, I accepted a detail assignment at headquarters that led to managing business mail acceptance. This opportunity opened the door to leading some of the Postal Service’s most important technological advancements — including modernizing software design and development, engineering, automation and other platforms.
I never said no to a detail assignment. I took chances, stayed teachable and embraced opportunities to grow. I’ve learned that being adaptable and well-rounded puts you in the right place at the right time.
My advice to other USPS employees is to make sure others recognize the value you bring to the organization. Advocate for yourself and share your impact. When an opportunity arises, say yes — even if it pushes you out of your comfort zone.
“On the Job,” a column on individual employees and their contributions to the Postal Service, appears regularly in Link.
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Honoring Barbara Bush
A reader looks forward to her upcoming stamp
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Fly flags at half-staff for Memorial Day
Memorial Day, a federal holiday to remember the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces, is Monday, May 26.
Facilities that are open on the holiday must fly the U.S. flag at half-staff.
The U.S. flag must be flown at half-staff from sunrise — or the hour when it’s raised — until noon. Then, hoist the flag to the peak of the staff, where it either must fly until the time of closing or no later than sunset (unless the flag is lighted).
When the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff, all other flags must fly at half-staff, too.
For facilities that fly the flag at all times and are closed Memorial Day, the flag should be lowered to half-staff when the facility closes prior to the holiday. Return the flag to full staff when the facility opens Tuesday, May 27.
The USPS Administrative Support Manual has guidelines on U.S. flag display and maintenance.
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Your Postal Service duties come first
There are rules that restrict some outside activities
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On the Job
She embraces opportunities
This employee started as a mail handler and now is in charge of the technology behind commercial shipping
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Mail
Featured reader quote
“I want to thank USPS for honoring Barbara Bush with a stamp. I know she and her husband spent a lot of time in Kennebunkport and Walkers Point in Maine. I used to live near there...”
— Robin Kalde, Avondale, AZ
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Fly flags at half-staff for Memorial Day