The federal government has rules against nepotism in the workplace — and the Postal Service wants employees to remember them.
Under the rules, USPS employees cannot hire, supervise or promote a relative, which is defined as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, in-law, stepparent, stepsibling or half sibling.
Employees are also prohibited from taking direct or indirect action related to a relative’s career at the Postal Service.
Examples of prohibited actions include:
• An aunt hiring a niece for a postal position;
• A father-in-law recommending his son-in-law for a supervisor position;
• An employee suggesting that her manager hire the employee’s cousin; and
• An employee recommending his half sibling for a detail assignment.
The Ethics Blue page has additional information. Employees with questions can email the USPS Ethics Office or call 202-268-6346.
