Can Rural Carriers wear postal uniforms?

[Robietheriot]

I work in an area that is pretty much like city area and I like to wear a postal uniform so I can be identified as a postal employee. District just told us we can’t wear city postal uniforms because they are only for city use and we didn’t pay for them. I’m a little confused because some people at my station dress like they are in their pajamas and aren’t told anything. I also buy them online and can purchase postal uniforms just about anywhere. What’s wrong with trying to dress professionally. What’s your thoughts? Thanks

 

[Rt2mailman]

Yes you can, the manager that told you that is probably a former city carrier and just doesn’t like having rurals wearing THEIR clothes. As long as your attire isn’t obnoxious/immodest you can wear anything except things with political slogans on them. You can file a grievance for not being allowed to wear clothes you’ve bought or just as the manager for contract justification for his claim.

 

[Robietheriot]

Thanks, that helps out tremendously

 

[btdtret]

Robietheriot -- "I work in an area that is pretty much like city area and I like to wear a postal uniform so I can be identified as a postal employee. District just told us we can’t wear city postal uniforms because they are only for city use and we didn’t pay for them. I’m a little confused because some people at my station dress like they are in their pajamas and aren’t told anything. I also buy them online and can purchase postal uniforms just about anywhere. What’s wrong with trying to dress professionally. What’s your thoughts? "

-- Various.

-- A lot will depend on local manglement. Rural carriers have been known to wear hand-me-downs from city carriers and manglement did not say anything. Might even find city carrier uniforms in thrift shops, etc.

-- Granted some rural carriers don't take much pride in their "professional" appearance -- and that is also on local manglement.

- Step 4 ( D-62 ), in part: 1) Rural carrier employees are responsible for maintaining a neat and clean appearance and will be dressed in suitable attire when performing official duties. 2) Postal management at the local level will be responsible for determining the appropriate standard of appearance.

-- Section 12.b of the PO-603: Presenting a neat, clean, and professional appearance reflecting a positive postal image.

-- Back in the day - a uniform vendor set up tables next to the post office building and rural carriers had no trouble buying shoes or ball caps - but not shirts nor pants.

Now for the serious stuff ( do you feel lucky? )

-- ELM's Section 934.6 Prohibitions.

- Wearing postal uniforms is prohibited under the following circumstances:

a. A person not connected with the letter carrier branch [ aka city carriers ] of the Postal Service who wears the uniform or badge worn by a city carrier is fined not more than $100, or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both.

-- 18 U.S. Code 1730 -- Uniforms of carriers -- Whoever, not being connected with the letter-carrier branch of the Postal Service, wears the uniform or badge which may be prescribed by the Postal Service to be worn by letter carriers [ city carriers ] shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months or both.

-- Step 4 ( U-25.600 ) in part: Brookfield Uniform and other postal uniform vendors are prohibited from selling certified postal uniform garments to employees who have been determined ineligible for a uniform allowance [ that would be rural carriers ]. Also: Sales personnel at Brookfield Uniforms were instructed not to sell to rural carriers because of the increasing crime with people wearing the postal uniform.

-- More than likely if you contact a provider of postal uniforms, you will be asked if you get an uniform allowance.

-- Some time ago there was a push to have rural carriers wear reflective winter coats because they were delivering after dark. ( anyone?? )

 

[Robietheriot]

So bottom line is we can’t wear them? The post office is so backwards

 

[DaveKelln]

When I went through orientation in 2019, they gave us a mesh flourescent vest and a USPS trucker cap. They were trying to roll that as some type of rural uniform back then. The thought was that with us delivering so many packages, they didn't want us looking sketchy as we walked up to a house.

My PM said we didn't need to wear them, so I didn't.

 

[YOUAREthecurrentresident]

Yes you can, the manager that told you that is probably a former city carrier and just doesn’t like having rurals wearing THEIR clothes. As long as your attire isn’t obnoxious/immodest you can wear anything except things with political slogans on them. You can file a grievance for not being allowed to wear clothes you’ve bought or just as the manager for contract justification for his claim.

No. Rurals NOT allowed to wear postal uniforms. See @btdtret post. As far as WANTING to wear a uniform....WHY??? Thats one of the reasons being rural is awesome. I rock a track suit in the winter, and nice comfortable shorts with moisture wicking t shirts in the summer.

 

[jaymacgthree]

Myself and other rural carriers in my area use a combo of shirts off Amazon and Shirts - PJSIGNS.com. They have a nice selection of professional looking shirts that are quite durable for this job that often say Rural Carrier specifically. The last thing you'd want to wear is something that could make someone mistake you for a city carrier

 

[Old Fart]

What does a rural carrier wear in the summer? Shorts and a tshirt. In warm climates year round, the same dress is the norm. We have in our offices many who wear "shorts and a tshirt" year round. Even in rain, 30 degrees, just throw on a waterproof jacket or sweatshirt.

 

[Joe Reeser]

Myself and other rural carriers in my area use a combo of shirts off Amazon and Shirts - PJSIGNS.com. They have a nice selection of professional looking shirts that are quite durable for this job that often say Rural Carrier specifically. The last thing you'd want to wear is something that could make someone mistake you for a city carrier

I've worn these from PJ Signs for years. They're great quality and I haven't worn one out yet. This shirt and a pair of jeans is my "uniform" year 'round. That's right - I never wear shorts. No one wants to see an old man in shorts - including me.

 

[Old Fart]

I've worn these from PJ Signs for years. They're great quality and I haven't worn one out yet. This shirt and a pair of jeans is my "uniform" year 'round. That's right - I never wear shorts. No one wants to see an old man in shorts - including me.

View attachment 10312

Jeans and tshirts for me year round. No shorts, agree with your leg comment!! Some tshirts are USPS off market and some are just plain.

 

[Missed a scan]

I've worn these from PJ Signs for years. They're great quality and I haven't worn one out yet. This shirt and a pair of jeans is my "uniform" year 'round. That's right - I never wear shorts. No one wants to see an old man in shorts - including me.

View attachment 10312

Yes, this. Make your own uniform if you want one.

 

[oi veh.]

i wear khaki pants when it's cold, khaki capris during the warm months. polo or tshirt with USPS logo m - t and one of these on casual fridays.

 

[K]

I've worn these from PJ Signs for years. They're great quality and I haven't worn one out yet. This shirt and a pair of jeans is my "uniform" year 'round. That's right - I never wear shorts. No one wants to see an old man in shorts - including me.

View attachment 10312

Its going to be 97 here today, I couldn't care less if anyone wants to see my legs or not..its hooooooot.

 

[Wilco183]

I rock and deliver like this, except alternate with a bow tie on windy days.

 

[Rt2mailman]

Robietheriot -- "I work in an area that is pretty much like city area and I like to wear a postal uniform so I can be identified as a postal employee. District just told us we can’t wear city postal uniforms because they are only for city use and we didn’t pay for them. I’m a little confused because some people at my station dress like they are in their pajamas and aren’t told anything. I also buy them online and can purchase postal uniforms just about anywhere. What’s wrong with trying to dress professionally. What’s your thoughts? "

-- Various.

-- A lot will depend on local manglement. Rural carriers have been known to wear hand-me-downs from city carriers and manglement did not say anything. Might even find city carrier uniforms in thrift shops, etc.

-- Granted some rural carriers don't take much pride in their "professional" appearance -- and that is also on local manglement.

- Step 4 ( D-62 ), in part: 1) Rural carrier employees are responsible for maintaining a neat and clean appearance and will be dressed in suitable attire when performing official duties. 2) Postal management at the local level will be responsible for determining the appropriate standard of appearance.

-- Section 12.b of the PO-603: Presenting a neat, clean, and professional appearance reflecting a positive postal image.

-- Back in the day - a uniform vendor set up tables next to the post office building and rural carriers had no trouble buying shoes or ball caps - but not shirts nor pants.

Now for the serious stuff ( do you feel lucky? )

-- ELM's Section 934.6 Prohibitions.

- Wearing postal uniforms is prohibited under the following circumstances:

a. A person not connected with the letter carrier branch [ aka city carriers ] of the Postal Service who wears the uniform or badge worn by a city carrier is fined not more than $100, or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both.

-- 18 U.S. Code 1730 -- Uniforms of carriers -- Whoever, not being connected with the letter-carrier branch of the Postal Service, wears the uniform or badge which may be prescribed by the Postal Service to be worn by letter carriers [ city carriers ] shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months or both.

-- Step 4 ( U-25.600 ) in part: Brookfield Uniform and other postal uniform vendors are prohibited from selling certified postal uniform garments to employees who have been determined ineligible for a uniform allowance [ that would be rural carriers ]. Also: Sales personnel at Brookfield Uniforms were instructed not to sell to rural carriers because of the increasing crime with people wearing the postal uniform.

-- More than likely if you contact a provider of postal uniforms, you will be asked if you get an uniform allowance.

-- Some time ago there was a push to have rural carriers wear reflective winter coats because they were delivering after dark. ( anyone?? )

Please note what is mentioned here does denote letter carrier, we rurals are known as belonging to the National Rural LETTER CARRIERS association, therefore we are LETTER CARRIERS. Nowhere does the above cited directive mention CITY or RURAL, just letter carriers, which we are, as I’ve demonstrated.

 

[Beanut]

I work in an area that is pretty much like city area and I like to wear a postal uniform so I can be identified as a postal employee. District just told us we can’t wear city postal uniforms because they are only for city use and we didn’t pay for them. I’m a little confused because some people at my station dress like they are in their pajamas and aren’t told anything. I also buy them online and can purchase postal uniforms just about anywhere. What’s wrong with trying to dress professionally. What’s your thoughts? Thanks

I think if you paid for them I you can’t be denied. And even if you got some city carrier hand me downs…why not. It looks way better than the garbage a lot of people wear.

I know the rural carrier that delivers to me wear a postal uniform. When we were at the HUB together delivering Amazon, a city carrier asked him if he was city or rural, and made a comment about the uniform was for city.
He still wear it so nothing came of it.
I feel if he bought it why can’t he wear it, I don’t want one but it certainly saves you from destroying your out of work clothes.

*I keep saying I’m going to designate certain clothes for work, but then I wore my favorite sweater to work & destroyed it….

 

[Beanut]

Instantly recognized. It was worth the price to me for the outerwear.

I have gotten the who are you knocking on my porch glare from people. In my POV & street clothes people don’t always seem willing to open doors for stranger. Especially people new to rural living, when they are used to seeing LLVs and uniforms.

I got asked w/suspicion if really worked for the PO

 

[K]

934.5 Employees in Nonuniform Categories​

Employees not eligible for the retail service uniform allowance, but who have contact with the public and wish to identify themselves with the Postal Service, may purchase the retail uniform though reimbursement will not be provided. Uniform items obtained under these provisions may only be purchased at the option of the employees at no cost to the Postal Service, and may be worn only when performing retail duties.

 

[K]

934 Wearing of Uniform Items