Redaction is Protection

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires the Postal Service to provide records in response to requests from the public, but some information is exempt from disclosure.

The Postal Service most frequently relies on exemptions to redact information of a commercial nature, deliberative information, and personal information.

Properly applying these common redactions protects exempt information from public disclosure.

And that’s smart business.

More information is at the internal FOIA website on Blue (https://blue.usps.gov/uspslaw/foia-privacy-act.htm) and the external FOIA website (https://about.usps.com/who/legal/foia/).

Contact the Privacy and Records Management Office (FOIA12@usps.gov) for guidance.

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.