birgittaw
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posted on December 17, 2007 06:43:27 AM new
New carrier this year. Can't say enough about how wonderful he is; I hold mail two to three times a month, I get packages on my porch when I'm not home otherwise, he picks up anything I give him whether I'm requesting pickup on line or not. I do keep him busy!
Always gave the old one cash (who was also wonderful). Reckon this one wouldn't mind the same. What do you all do, if anything?
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cashinyourcloset
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posted on December 17, 2007 06:45:36 AM new
We give ours $50 (it's a high-rent district  ).
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niel35
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posted on December 17, 2007 07:18:50 AM new
She gets nothing. She drops the mail in the box and if I am out there, she can barely say hi and never a smile.
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roadsmith
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posted on December 17, 2007 08:04:21 AM new
I'd probably combine a plate of fudge or cookies with some money ($20-$25). We don't have home delivery here at all; you're lucky!
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on December 17, 2007 09:32:12 AM new
From the State Board of Equalization newsletter, December 2007:
Ethics at work -- "thank you" is enough
During the holiday season, many of you offer gifts to customers, suppliers, and others with whom you do business. We must ask, however, that you not extend your generosity to our employees. A simple "thank you" or "happy holidays" will do -- and will be much appreciated. Board of Equalization policy prevents our employees from accepting gifts of any type.
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I include this here because it's a simple straightforward easy-to-understand policy that makes sense. Likewise, postal employees should not expect or accept holiday gifts. If they do a good job, thanking them occasionally year 'round is appropriate, as well as writing a complimentary letter that can go in their personnel file. This was conveyed to me by the postmaster of one of the largest stations in Santa Clara County.
fLufF
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neglus
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posted on December 17, 2007 10:00:41 AM new
I don't think the post(WO)man can accept monetary gifts:
http://www.usoge.gov/pages/advisory_opinions/advop_files/1997/97x1.txt
From USPS site:http://www.usps.com/nationalpcc/outsidegift.htm
Gifts From Outside Sources
The following series of questions and answers addresses common inquiries regarding gifts from outside sources. All U.S. Postal ServiceŽ employees must adhere to these rules governing ethics.
Q. How do I know when I may not accept a gift?
A. With some exceptions mentioned later, you may not accept a gift from anyone who is giving the gift to you because of your government job. Ask yourself if the gift would have been offered if you were not working for the government. You are not permitted to solicit or ask for gifts under any circumstances.
You may not ask for or accept a gift from people or organizations that do business with, seek to do business with your agency, who seek some official action by your agency, or who have activities regulated by your agency. Gifts from these people or groups are prohibited whether or not you deal with them when doing your job. You must also decline a gift from someone who has interests that may be significantly affected by you when you are doing your job.
Q. What about accepting a cup of coffee?
A. A cup of coffee is acceptable. It is such modest refreshment that it is not considered a gift. So you may accept it without worrying about who is giving it or why. Other inexpensive food items such as doughnuts or soft drinks may also be accepted. There are some other items that are not considered gifts, such as greeting cards and bank loans at commercial rates. But remember that the definition of a gift is very broad. Generally, anything that has monetary value is considered a gift. If you have a question about a gift, ask your ethics official.
Q. May I accept a lunch?
A. It depends. Meals are gifts. If the person who wants to pay for your lunch is regulated by, does business with, or seeks official action by your agency, or is affected by the job you do, or if the meal is offered because of your position, you must decline the meal. However, you may be able to accept a lunch or other meal under an exception for gifts valued at $20 or less. Note that there is a $50 per year limit on gifts, including meals, from any one source.
Q. May I accept any other gift valued at $20 or less?
A. Yes, but no cash, in any amount, may be accepted. The $20 exception may be used to accept any gift that is not worth more than $20. A pocket calculator, for example, could cost from $5 to $100 or more. Just be certain that value of the gift is not greater than $20.
There are some other things you should keep in mind before you use the $20 exception. The rule allows you to accept gifts worth $20 or less on a single occasion. That means if several gifts are given at the same time, their total value cannot exceed $20. Again remember, there is a $50 per year limit on gifts from the same source.
There are other exceptions that would allow you to accept gifts that would otherwise be prohibited, such as the "friends and family" exception for gifts based on personal relationships. Other examples are special discounts available through your agency credit union and gifts that result from an outside job when they are not given because of your government position. All of the exceptions are subject to certain limits and some have conditions that must be met. Before using an exception, the best course to follow is to ask your ethics official about it.
Your ethics official can also tell you how you may properly dispose of a gift that you have received but are not allowed to keep.
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
[ edited by neglus on Dec 17, 2007 10:03 AM ]
[ edited by neglus on Dec 17, 2007 10:05 AM ]
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cashinyourcloset
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posted on December 17, 2007 10:28:38 AM new
I don't know what either of them makes, but my guess is that our mailman makes less than our postmaster.
We miss him whenever he's on vacation, because our mail winds up all over town (and we get other people's mail to even it out). He sometimes gives our dog treats and is on a first-name basis with our children.
I'm happy if I can improve his holidays.
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deur1
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posted on December 17, 2007 10:32:21 AM new
USPS mail carriers cannot accept cash or gifts valued for more than $20
My carrier only delivers mail. I have two PO Boxes for eBay accounts.
My packages are taken to the PO-6 days a week ... no pick-up.
I do not request pick-up.
[ edited by deur1 on Dec 17, 2007 10:33 AM ]
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on December 17, 2007 10:59:45 AM new
This is a lovely bit of writing.
A cup of coffee is acceptable. It is such modest refreshment that it is not considered a gift.
Coffee: The Modest Refreshment!
Sounds like an an from the Fifties.
fLufF
--
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birgittaw
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posted on December 17, 2007 11:10:22 AM new
Yeah, I know/knew no gifts ...naturally, it was a purely academic questions.
I especially like this one:
<I>Your ethics official can also tell you how you may properly dispose of a gift that you have received but are not allowed to keep.
</I>
The USPS ebay site perhaps? If they still have one?
At any rate, appreciate your comments as always.
[ edited by birgittaw on Dec 17, 2007 11:12 AM ]
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tomwiii
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posted on December 17, 2007 11:21:40 AM new
...always rings twice!
"What me worry?" "childrens do learn"
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roadsmith
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posted on December 17, 2007 11:32:52 AM new
Well heck. Surely you can give the postman a couple of big chocolate chip cookies or such?!
He can eat the evidence.
And every year since we moved here, I've brought a food gift for the p.o. people to share in the back room. They're always appreciative. The postmistress is a friend of mine, and she's never told me we can't give them anything. I get a nice thank-you note from the folks after Christmas, as well.
_____________________
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neglus
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posted on December 17, 2007 11:58:58 AM new
Your kinds of gifts (food) are the kind they CAN accept Adele. They can't accept cash (or shouldn't but apparently are in Cash'$ neighborhood. I am pretty sure they aren't turning the cash envelopes over to the Ethics officer.
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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deur1
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posted on December 17, 2007 12:41:17 PM new
Well heck. Surely you can give the postman a couple of big chocolate chip cookies or such?!
He can eat the evidence.
Of course as long as they as they are not over $20 worth.
I rarely tip delivery folks- except the Pizza delivery.
USPS delivers only junk mail to my home. My real mail goes to PO box.
UPS Fedex, DHL deliver from time to time, they just put it on the porch and leave.
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toasted36
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posted on December 17, 2007 01:07:25 PM new
We were having breakfast at our local mom/pop type dinner this past Saturday and our postal gal came in to pick-up her morning order. I jumped up and paid for it real quick and said Merry Christmas ! She was just thrilled. She said it must be her lucky week as she had received flowers also.
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cashinyourcloset
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posted on December 17, 2007 01:12:30 PM new
Neglus,
"They can't accept cash (or shouldn't but apparently are in Cash'$ neighborhood. I am pretty sure they aren't turning the cash envelopes over to the Ethics officer."
I have a strange feeling that our local Ethics officer isn't working overtime during the season. I think the going rate is $25 - $50, although some local businesses might give more, and maybe some of my big-bucks neighbors too.
We only get normal (i.e., non-eBay) mail here, but I prefer to give him on the high end. OTOH, the newspaper deliver person gets stiffed (don't worry, it's not a sweet kid on a bike; it's a guy who should get his muffler fixed).
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ST0NEC0LD613
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posted on December 17, 2007 01:29:21 PM new
Well heck. Surely you can give the postman a couple of big chocolate chip cookies or such?!
He can eat the evidence.
What will happen is the radicals will wait until they carriers digest the evidence and then bust them. I would hate to be the one on poopy patrol.
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hwahwa
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posted on December 17, 2007 08:49:42 PM new
Police just arrested a couple in NY who forced the maid to eat 18 hot chili peppers,when her stomach cant digest it and threw up,they forced her to eat her own vomit.
*
Lets all stop whining !
*
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hwahwa
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posted on December 17, 2007 08:50:09 PM new
what about Starbuck gift card?
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Lets all stop whining !
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profe51
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posted on December 18, 2007 04:42:29 AM new
Police just arrested a couple in NY who forced the maid to eat 18 hot chili peppers
Where do you get this stuff??
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cashinyourcloset
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posted on December 18, 2007 07:36:28 AM new
FWIW, it's apparently not uncommon for child abusers (parents, day care providers, etc.) to force children to eat very spicy and/or salty foods as a punishment. Sick b**tards.
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pixiamom
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posted on December 18, 2007 07:42:50 AM new
Here you go, Profe. I couldn't read all of it.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/18/national/main3627652.shtml
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on December 18, 2007 08:28:40 AM new
I could be wrong, but I thought that when profe said to hwahwa "Where do you get this stuff??" he actually meant "What bizarre dimly-lit corner of your cranium does this stuff live in?"
Because heaven knows I've often had that thought myself.
fLufF
--
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hwahwa
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posted on December 18, 2007 09:40:04 AM new
I save it in my Starbuck account.
*
Lets all stop whining !
*
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MAH645
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posted on December 18, 2007 10:00:13 AM new
Our carrier wouldn't tote guts to a pet bear,its amazing we get our mail. Packages or priority supplies forget it.
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