Between theexcitable dogs , blistering heat ( or cold ) , and drab uniform , postal flattop are up against it . This is particularly true during the holidays , when a deluge of packages can make their jobs specially tax . In a culture that endorsestipping for armed service , should mail workers be tipped , too ?
The short answer is yes . The long answer is that depending on how you tip , you and your mailperson might be violating a federal ordinance .
Can you tip your USPS mail carrier?
According to the Ethics FAQon the United States Postal Service ( USPS ) website , employees are not permitted to accept immediate payment or cash equivalents ( a check or generic Visa gift posting , for exemplar ) . To do so would ostensibly be aviolationof the Standards of Ethical Conduct for employee of the Executive Branch .
USPS employee are , however , permit to accept what the USPS dub “ non - cash ” gifts . That might consist of a greeting identity card , a retail gift card valued at less than $ 20 , or “ modest food items , such as a cup of coffee , doughnut , or an appetizer not offered as a part of a repast . ”
While these term are specific and arguably idiotic , there ’s no doubt some postal service carriers abide by them . Others , however , are more lenient . When Mental Flossspoke witha telephone number of postal carriers about their experiences back in 2017 , we were told by one that some employees can collect up to $ 2000 in cash or endowment cards during the holidays . Another mentioned getting gifts including deal heater .
Can you tip a UPS or FedEx delivery person?
But what about other prole experiencing a package crunch ? Drivers forUnited Parcel Service(UPS ) are technically allowed to accept tips , but harmonise to representative Dan McMacklin , who talk withThe New York Timesin 2021 , driversare encouragedto turn them down . customer will have to be “ insistent , ” McMacklin say , for them to accept . TheTimesalso take note thatFedEx employeesare nix from receiving immediate payment or gift card , but they wo n’t turn down a snack . Amazon does not have a policy prohibiting fee its deliverance drivers .
Assuming the carrier will take the tip , shouldyou tip ? That ’s extremely subjective . But given the extra fuss of the holidays , it would probably be appreciated . If you want to offer a gratuity within the USPS guidepost , then a retail gift card worth up to $ 20 is a good stake . Just do n’t offer up them any leftover .
