Issue Based Apparel at Work

While certain partisan political attire violates the Hatch Act, apparel with an issue-based slogan not tied to a partisan candidate or party is treated differently.

For example, an employee could not wear a shirt bearing a partisan political campaign slogan to work.

However, they could wear a shirt with an issue-based slogan like “Save the Unicorns.”

While not outright prohibited, if issue-based apparel disrupts the Postal Service’s ability to perform its mission, management can determine whether to allow it in the workplace.

Understanding the rules about issue-based apparel helps the Postal Service complete its mission, comply with the law, and maintain public trust.

And that’s smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) with any questions.

It’s Our Business

When you’re on the clock at the Postal Service, you can’t spend any time doing work for a second job or your own company. Not 30 minutes, not 30 seconds, no time at all. It’s prohibited under the USPS misuse of time provision.

You also can’t use postal equipment and resources to perform work for your outside employer or your outside company — regardless of whether you’re on the clock.

Our customers don’t want to pay you to work for someone else.

Postal time, equipment and resources can’t be used to serve another employer.

And that’s smart business.

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