Gifts from Outside Sources II

• Some items are not gifts under the ethics regulations.
• Modest food refreshments (soft drinks, coffee, donuts) from an outside source, items of little intrinsic value offered solely for presentation purposes (greeting cards, plaques, certificates, trophies) from an outside source, or anything obtained from a postal contract are not gifts under the ethics regulations.

Complying with the ethics regulations addressing gifts from outside sources increases the public’s confidence in the integrity of the Postal Service as an agency free from bribery and corruption.

And that’s smart business.

Contact the Ethics Office (ethics.help@usps.gov) for more information about the ethics regulations addressing gifts from customers.

Free Lunch from a Postal Vendor

• The ethics rules generally prohibit Postal Service employees from accepting gifts from customers, suppliers or other outside sources.
• If a vendor or supplier you work with offers free lunch for you or your office, you should politely decline the offer.
• Accepting a free lunch may send the message to other suppliers or potential suppliers that a free lunch – or even more – is a requirement to get postal business.

Whenever we interact with a vendor or supplier, everything we say and do should make it clear that the only thing that matters is getting the best value for the Postal Service – that’s just smart business.

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