Display of a Candidate’s Photograph in the Workplace

• Photographs of partisan political candidates are not permitted in the workplace during election season unless all of the following apply: the photograph was on display in advance of the election season; the employee is in the photograph with the candidate; and the photograph is a personal one (i.e., the employee has a personal relationship with the candidate and the photograph is taken at some kind of personal event or function). Of course, an employee must not have a political purpose for displaying the photograph, namely, promoting or opposing a political party or a candidate for partisan political office.

Photographs of partisan political candidates could offend some of our customers, and even cause conflict in the workplace. Keeping your political views to yourself is smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for more information about the Hatch Act.

Political Activity and Social Media

• The Hatch Act prohibits a Postal Service employee from using his or her personal email account or social media account to engage in political activity while on duty, in a postal building or room, while wearing a uniform or insignia, or while in a postal vehicle.
• Even when you’re on a break and using your own device, you may be violating the law.

Political activity in these settings can offend our customers and undermine the public’s trust in the Postal Service.

Keeping political activity in its place is smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for more information about the Hatch Act.