Volunteer Activity

Contact the Ethics Office for guidance before engaging in volunteer activity because there are ethics regulations that may apply to your volunteer activity:

• You may not work on a postal matter involving the organization with which you are volunteering.
• You are also restricted from appearing before the Postal Service or the federal government on behalf of the organization with which you are volunteering.
• You may not use official time or postal equipment in furtherance of the volunteer activity.

Avoiding the use of official time or postal equipment for the private gain of an outside organization conserves Postal Service assets.

And that’s smart business.

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

Treat all FOIA requesters equally

The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure that every citizen has the right to access information about the government, including the Postal Service. It doesn’t matter who’s making the request, or why. All FOIA requesters have an equal right to access records under the law.

When you’re responding to a FOIA request, avoid questions of whether the requester needs the information or how it will be used. By treating all FOIA requesters equally, you promote trust in the Postal Service. Moreover, you enhance the Postal Service’s image as an organization that’s responsive and transparent to its customers.

And that’s smart business!