Post-Employment Restrictions

• Accepting employment with a business that you worked with in your postal capacity after you retire or leave the Postal Service can be perilous because a criminal law may limit your communications with the Postal Service on behalf of your new employer.
• Which of the post-employment restrictions apply to you, and how they will apply, depends on your individual situation.

The post-employment restrictions are complex and fact-specific – please contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) in advance to avoid criminal liability and damage to the Postal Service’s reputation.

Looking before you leap is smart business.

Nepotism and Spouses

• Postal policy provides that a Postal Service employee cannot directly report to his or her spouse.
• There must be at least one level of supervision between spouses at all times.
• This is because a criminal law prohibits a Postal Service employee from participating in a particular matter that would affect the financial interests of his or her spouse.

Ensuring that a spouse does not directly report to his or her spouse maintains a work environment free from favoritism allegations and helps the supervisory spouse avoid criminal liability.

And that’s smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for guidance