The Postal Service is offering employees more guidance on the Hatch Act.
The Hatch Act is a law that prohibits postal and other federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, while wearing a uniform, while on federal property, or while inside a federal vehicle.
In a new message, USPS highlights the real-life case of “Jess” — not her actual name — an employee who brought a presidential candidate’s political signs to the Post Office where she works.
Jess, a union member, received the union’s permission to distribute signage to other members, but not at work. Nevertheless, Jess announced at a Post Office employee meeting that she was making the political signage available to anyone interested.
Jess violated the Hatch Act by campaigning for a political candidate at work. She agreed to serve a 30-day suspension for her violation.
The Postal Service previously told employees about:
- “John,” an employee who ran for Congress while continuing to work for USPS
- “Sandy,” a letter carrier who placed a political candidate’s sign in the window of her Postal Service vehicle
- “Daniesha,” a letter carrier who wrote “corrections” on Political Mail pieces before putting them in the mailboxes of her customers
- “Michaela,” a retail associate who made political posts to social media while on the clock
- “George,” a letter carrier who broadcast a political endorsement on social media while on duty and sitting in his postal vehicle
The Ethics Blue page has more Hatch Act resources, including a “Let’s Talk Politics!” fact sheet. Employees who have questions can contact their local field law office or send an email to ethics.help@usps.gov.