Conflict of interest? (part-time jobs)

[HoosierDude]

Hi, I’m an auxiliary route carrier on a route that is 5 hours/day. That guarentees me at least 30 hours/week although I do give some rural assistance to our other carriers. I’m looking at part-time jobs in the afternoon/evening time slots. I’ve heard before that it is a conflict of interest to also be employed with UPS or Fed Ex. But I’m currently looking at some logistic companies that need independent contract couriers on-demand 24/7. They handle all kinds of deliveries from mail to medical supplies. Would it be a conflict or interest to be an independent contract carrier outside of USPS? Any insight is appreciated. Also if anyone else has some solid part-time job ideas, let me know!

 

[Howah44]

Uber/Lyft in your area ?

 

[MrMagoo]

Your question brings to mind the term:

DON'T ASK DON'T TELL

If the job doesn't pay enough to live on, do what you gotta do

 

[HoosierDude]

We do have Uber, but probably looking to deliver high value goods and not people. I totally agree MrMagoo!

 

[Deer Smearer]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>HoosierDude said </strong>
We do have Uber, but probably looking to deliver high value goods and not people. I totally agree MrMagoo!  </blockquote>
Sneakers? <img title="Surprised" alt="Surprised" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-surprised.gif" />

 

[Howah44]

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote"><strong>HoosierDude said </strong>
We do have Uber, but probably looking to deliver high value goods and not people. I totally agree MrMagoo!  </blockquote>
 

I agree.  Its no ones business what you do on your free time.  The PO is not exactly following the contract in many ways.

 

[gotstamps]

A good rule of thumb is that if we would possibly deliver it, don't do it. Taxi, food delivery, and newspapers are ok but venture any further and your job could be on the line. If in doubt, ask your PM & get it in writing that it is approved. There are a lot of things that we are not allowed to participate in due to our jobs in our "personal time". With cameras literally everywhere, nothing seems to be personal anymore. It just depends on how much you value your job here.

I don't know if you've worked past Christmas holidays but in about a month things get crazy with parcel runs until the end of the year. In our office, our subs don't usually have time for a life much less a 2nd job in November & December. 

 

[etr4807]

If it were me I wouldn't mention anything to anyone in your office. They will want you to be available 24/7 incase they need you. I would stay away from "competitor" jobs...such as FedEx and UPS or anything involving mail. Something to keep in mind is...holiday season is almost here and you could be picking up a substantial amount of work.

 

[Shafted]

Here is some simple advice from what I have experienced in my career of 25 years.  

#1- if you make it common knowledge that you have a situation, appointment, gathering, or other important item that you need off for, someone either management or employee will use that info to cause you to worry more whether you will be granted it off.  Management likes to not sign slips more when you have a very important publicly known reason attached to it.  It's a passive aggressive mental game of torture.  Turn in your leave slips as soon as you can without all the explanation as to why you want it off.  No ones business.  Just creates drama.  I have seen fellow carriers heads messed with by fellow employees, and mgt regarding things such as their children's weddings, graduations, and major events in their lives by someone who thinks they hold the upper hand when they really don't.

#2- don't discuss another job that you have during your time outside of the PO.  If the job is not during the hours you work at the PO, keep it to yourself.  Of course your first priority if there is a conflict is to the PO, but the minute mgt. realizes that you have something job related in your life that THEY CANT control, they do everything in their power to begin to unravel it.  This happens.  Anything from knowing what your other schedule is will entice postal mgt to deliberately screw with you.  I had a second job that was no conflict, but postmaster deliberately moved my start time two hours back in the morning( aux route at the time ), just to interfere with this job, claiming "operational reasons" when I fought it.  Had I never discussed my second job, or the exact times I needed to be at it, this would have probably never happened.  Keep all of your personal life details to yourself.  Good luck

 

[btdtret]

HoosierDude -- " I’m currently looking at some logistic companies that need independent contract couriers on-demand 24/7. They handle all kinds of deliveries from MAIL to medical supplies. "

--  Not to rain on your parade, but...

--  PO-603, Section 163 -- Outside Employment, Subsection 163.2 Restricted:

You may not engage in outside employment or other outside activity that interferes with the duties and responsibilities of Postal Service employment.  It is impossible to prescribe detail every type of employment or activity incompatible with postal duties and responsibilities.  However, the ELM 661 provides guidance foe specific situations and illustrations the manner in which the general principles should be applied.

--  ELM 661.2 Application to Postal Employees

g.  Prohibition against postal employees becoming interest in any contract for carrying MAIL ( 18 U.S.C. 440 ).

n.  Prohibition again carriage of MAIL contrary to law ( 18 U.S.C. 1693 ).

 

If you take the job, heed what "Shafted" posted, especially #2.

 

[EthelAnne]

Just wanted to chime in and say that's some good advice from @shafted regarding leave and 2nd jobs: the less said, the better. Even if they do manage to find out what sort of second job you're working on their own (highly unlikely), the worst they can do is make you quit your other job.