The Postal Service is continuing to remind employees of the rules surrounding political activity under the Hatch Act.
The Hatch Act is a law that prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, while wearing a federal uniform or identification badge, while on federal property or while inside a federal vehicle.
Under the law, USPS employees are also prohibited from engaging in any of the following activities:
• While at work, wearing apparel containing messages or images for or against a partisan political candidate, party or group
• Bringing partisan political materials to work
• Making statements at work for or against a partisan political candidate, party or group
• Affixing partisan political bumper stickers to postal vehicles or personal vehicles while delivering the mail
• Posting, liking, tweeting or retweeting partisan political content to social media while on duty or while using postal equipment
Violations of the Hatch Act may be referred to the Office of the Special Counsel, a federal agency that oversees enforcement of the Hatch Act. Penalties for violating the law can include suspension, removal and debarment from federal employment and a civil fine.
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.
