USPS: Avoiding ethical lapses during the holidays

Ethically yours

Avoiding ethical lapses during the holidays

Holiday ethics
Complying with ethical conduct standards is especially important during the holidays.

The Ethics Office wants employees to know that complying with the Federal Standards of Ethical Conduct — which apply all year long — is especially important during the holidays, when employees often participate in seasonal activities while on the job.

“Employees who aren’t aware of the rules could find themselves in an uncomfortable and embarrassing ethical conflict,” says Senior Ethics Counsel Jessica Brewster-Johnson. “We want to make sure employees who take part in holiday activities know what’s permissible so they can avoid problems.”

The Ethics Office has prepared an online presentation to help employees become familiar with the standards of ethical conduct.

The presentation includes standards that apply to exchanging gifts between employees, receiving gifts from outside sources — including contractors — and attending holiday parties hosted by organizations outside USPS.

Employees with questions about the presentation or specific situations can call the Ethics Hotline at 202-268-6346 or send an email to ethics.help@usps.gov.