Reminder: No Favoritism When a Relative Reports to You
USPS Follows Federal Ethics Rules to Ensure Fairness in the Workplace
The U.S. Postal Service is reminding all employees of the federal ethics rules that apply when it comes to workplace relationships involving relatives.
If a relative reports to you, you must avoid favoritism or any action that could be seen as giving them an unfair advantage.
Who Is Considered a Relative?
A “relative” includes:
- Spouse
- Parent or child
- Siblings, step-siblings, or half-siblings
- Aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews
- In-laws and stepparents
What You Cannot Do
Under federal rules, USPS employees may not:
- Hire or promote a relative
- Approve a relative’s overtime, leave requests, or detail assignments
- Influence any decision that could financially benefit a relative
Examples of Prohibited Situations
- A spouse reporting to their spouse
- A postmaster approving their relative’s overtime
- A supervisor approving a relative’s leave slip
- A manager making job decisions about a family member
What Should Happen Instead?
Managers must work with Human Resources and Labor Relations to ensure no conflicts of interest exist. In most cases, either:
- The reporting relationship will be changed, or
- The higher-level employee will be required to recuse themselves from any decisions involving their relative
Need Help?
For more information, visit the Ethics Blue page.
If you have questions, you can also:
📧 Email the USPS Ethics Office
📞 Call 202-268-6346
Fairness and integrity are key to maintaining a professional work environment at USPS. Always follow the rules to avoid conflicts and maintain trust.
