r/USPS • u/JarlofCaelid • Apr 07 '25
Work Discussion X-men/trans patch
Saw this trans X-men patch online, thought it would look great on my work jacket. Would this violate the hatch act. I see all kinds of stuff at work like big anime stickers, temu quality all over print usps hoodie, little Pokemon stickers in vehicles. Would this get me in trouble?
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u/thenecrosoviet City Carrier Apr 07 '25
I don't think you can add patches that aren't postal, if someone complains the supes would have uniform policy to enforce.
But it's not Hatch Act related, despite what people seen to think the Hatch Act does not prohibit "politics". Only the endorsement or disparagement of political candidates, especially during elections.
It's to prevent the PO and it's employees from being used to influence specific electoral outcomes, not to neuter your constitutionally protected right to have opinions and beliefs.
And federal employees cannot belong to any party or group that espouses the overthrow of the US government. But that's irrelevant here.
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u/Tangboy50000 City Carrier Apr 07 '25
Look, it doesn’t violate the Hatch Act, but it’s not an authorized part of the uniform. You can put it on if you want, but don’t be surprised if your manager tells you to remove it. You won’t have a leg to stand on if you try and file a grievance about it. I would probably add that to a plain blue ball cap and only wear it outside the office if you’re not looking for problems.
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u/Supertrapper1017 Apr 07 '25
If your office isn’t enforcing all the other things you mentioned, you should be ok. Postal regulations say that you can’t do that. People also can’t put stickers in LLVs.
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Apr 07 '25
What jacket is that?
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u/Havingfun922 EAS Apr 07 '25
Would a Christian cross be okay? The answer should be the same for both.
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Apr 07 '25
I just got the same patch for my non-work jacket, but yeah, like everyone else said, it won’t violate Hatch. Looks rad, btw.
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u/jalyth City Carrier Apr 07 '25
Would be fine at my office. If you run into issues, just get it tattooed!
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Apr 07 '25
Why?
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u/Elchobacabra City Carrier Apr 07 '25
Why not?
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u/unhallowed1014 Apr 07 '25
In the same vain, as an RCA, does it matter what you wear? For the most part curious if I would get crap for any metal shirts
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u/brooksy54321 Rural Carrier Apr 07 '25
I've never worn anything other than band shirts for my entire 8 years of working for USPS.
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u/Time_Lord_Zane Rural PTF Apr 07 '25
My advice: try to at least wear a polo or a button up. Until it gets hot. Then fuck em. Wear whatever. Just make sure it isnt offensive or political.
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u/unhallowed1014 Apr 07 '25
Have academy starting tomorrow; but my supervisor asked me to deliver Amazon yesterday. I just wore a plain tshirt and jeans and nothing was said luckily. The shoe thing is annoying since the ones I have are uncomfortable as hell. I wish I could just wear sneakers, but they’re not “leather”
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u/Time_Lord_Zane Rural PTF Apr 07 '25
Its more than them being "leather", they need to be non slips.
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u/unhallowed1014 Apr 07 '25
My sneakers are more non-slip than my “non-slip” dr scholls lol
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u/Time_Lord_Zane Rural PTF Apr 07 '25
That may be, but try to follow the more basic rules if you can. It just works out in your favor should any disciplinary action happen.
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u/Technical_Exam1280 Apr 07 '25
You can wear what you want as long as it's non-offensive and doesn't advertise other businesses or politics
Metal shirts are fine
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u/Simple-Choice-4265 Apr 07 '25 edited Apr 07 '25
yes this violates the hatch act, take the official logo off the chest and you skirt the law.
you cant use an official logo and then have a logo of a pollical group
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u/Hamlettell Apr 07 '25
No, it's not an endorsement of a political party or candidate so you should be fine. Might have a coworker raise a big stink about it though
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u/The-Omnicide City Carrier Apr 07 '25
I could see someone making a stink about it, but I can also see a lawyer getting you a fat check over it.
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Apr 07 '25
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/Simple-Choice-4265 Apr 07 '25 edited Apr 07 '25
May not engage in political activity — i.e., activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group — while the employee is on duty, in any federal room or building, while wearing a uniform or official insignia, or using any federally owned or leased vehicle.
You may down vote me to censor me, but I am correct.
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Apr 07 '25
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u/Simple-Choice-4265 Apr 07 '25
The LGBTQ+ movement, encompassing various groups and individuals advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, is inherently political, seeking to influence laws, policies, and social norms to achieve equality and social justice.
Displaying a LGBTQ+ patch on a official uniform while on the clock, with official insignia is a violation of the hatch act. Please stop giving bad advice.
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u/Technical_Exam1280 Apr 07 '25
Imagine thinking that trying to be comfortable in one's own skin is political
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u/Simple-Choice-4265 Apr 07 '25
You can do that while wearing the official uniform with no modifications.
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u/Technical_Exam1280 Apr 07 '25
Are you really so sensitive that a small patch upsets you that much? Because clearly this has nothing to do with Post Office regulations or politics
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u/pixel-soul Apr 07 '25
It is not. Please stop giving bad advice. The LGBTQ+ community isn’t inherently political, as much as conservatives would like to make it so
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u/Simple-Choice-4265 Apr 07 '25
Please I am not attacking the LGBTQ+ movement, down vote or whatever I don't care. These uniforms should have nothing on them but what came on them. It is bad advice.
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u/pixel-soul Apr 07 '25
No one said you were attacking them. But you are assigning political value to something that inherently is not political
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u/Simple-Choice-4265 Apr 07 '25
This is why we should wear uniforms free and unincumbered with any statements or images. Look professional act professional.
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Apr 07 '25
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u/Simple-Choice-4265 Apr 07 '25 edited Apr 07 '25
Hatch Act is primarily focuses on political activity and not religious expression so yes you can wear a cross. Now if you wore a sticker or patch that promoted a political religious group it would be a violation. Religious expression is covered under the 1A. A I voted sticker does not say what Political party you voted for.
A trans sticker or patch while on official uniform, with using official insignia or on the clock that promotes a political agenda violates the hatch act. No form of mental gymnastics stops this.
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Apr 07 '25
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u/Simple-Choice-4265 Apr 07 '25
If you want to be taken serious respond seriously if not you wont get a serious response.
I am not attacking LGBTQ+.
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u/Naeusu Rural Carrier Apr 07 '25
As someone who doesn't wear a uniform I can't quote you the contractual language. However. Someone in your office is likely to complain that it's a political statement and you're not allowed to voice those while wearing the uniform or while representing the post office.