The Postal Service is reminding employees that ethics rules and USPS policies restrict charitable fundraising in the workplace.
Fundraising at work is only allowed if it is part of the Combined Federal Campaign — the federal government’s official workplace giving effort — that usually runs from September through January.
Common examples of prohibited charitable fundraising at work include the sale of cookies, popcorn, candy, candles, calendars, wrapping paper and charity race sponsorships. Taking orders, collecting money and distributing products are all considered fundraising and are prohibited.
Postal employees may be able to collect gifts-in-kind from each other if they are participating in an authorized activity under the community service activities policy (CSAP) in Section 333.7 of the Administrative Support Manual.
CSAP authorization does not permit solicitation of money, but employees may collect toys, school supplies or other such items in support of an existing outside activity — but only from other employees, not customers.
Employees can fundraise in their personal capacity only if they are off duty and doing it outside of the workplace. Employees cannot solicit donations from their subordinates and cannot connect the fundraiser to the Postal Service.
Employees who have questions should call the USPS Ethics Office helpline at 202-268-6346 or send an email to ethics.help@usps.gov.
The Postal Service is observing Ethics Awareness Week from Aug. 15-19.