Employees can’t spend time doing side jobs, gambling or making influencer videos

USPS 10/22/26 – The Postal Service is reminding employees that they cannot perform work for an outside business or engage in gambling when they are on the clock.

Supervisors also cannot ask or order subordinates to use their official time to work on non-USPS matters. For example, employees cannot ask subordinates to pick up their dry cleaning.

A limited amount of official time may be used for performing personal tasks if doing so does not interfere with USPS operations or violate the organization’s ethics rules or policies. For example, an employee can call a doctor’s office to make an appointment while on duty but cannot hold a two-hour phone call with a friend.

Employees are also prohibited from such things as filming influencer videos to be used on their social media pages.

Employees with questions can email the USPS Ethics Office or call 202-268-6346.

More information and resources are available on the Misuse of Time section of the Ethics page on Blue.