The Postal Service is reminding employees that government property must not be used for any unauthorized purpose.
Misusing USPS property violates the standards of ethical conduct for employees of the executive branch, which applies to all postal employees.
Government property includes anything USPS owns or leases, such as vehicles, electronics and office equipment and supplies.
Mail and postal credit cards — including purchase cards, travel cards and Voyager cards — are also examples of government property.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
• Postal vehicles can only be used for official purposes. If you misuse a postal vehicle, the required penalty is — at minimum — a 30-day suspension without pay.
• Never use a postal vehicle to commute between work and home, to run personal errands or to do work for a second job.
• Postal credit cards should be used only for authorized purposes. Never use a Voyager card to purchase fuel for your personal vehicle.
• Reward points earned for using a Voyager card are government property and may be used only to obtain a discount on the Postal Service’s purchase of fuel.
Misusing postal property can lead to dismissal, fines and garnishment of wages to repay any amount of money that was stolen.
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.