<p>I just read in a Yahoo news item that it illegal for postal workers to accept cash or checks (i.e., holiday tips) and that they can only be given items worth less than $20. Is this true?</p>
<p>Yes, I confirmed t with mine. He cannot even accept a gift card. So cookies and a cup of hot cocoa it was. It was super cold (for us) so he was happy.</p>
<p>Yes, it is true. But I live in a fairly small town, and am an acquaintance of the post master, so I asked her several years ago about this. She gave me permission to go ahead and give cash to our mail deliverer. Keep in mind that this is a town that prides itself in their personable postal workers. You would get the sense that you are watching a Hallmark Channel movie when you meet them.</p>
<p>Well, that’s confusing. If it’s illegal, how can it be ok to do it?</p>
<p>We have always given a $20 gift certificate. I thought it was just cash that was illegal. Our postman always brings stuff up to the porch, keeps mail dry, looks out for things if we are away, etc so I am happy to tip him.</p>
<p>Postal workers can accept a gift card worth $20 or less, as long as the gift card cannot be exchanged for cash and is from a “single establishment, not a bank or a mall.” See “Employee tipping policy” at the bottom of [this</a> page](<a href=“http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/holidaynews/2011/html/holiday_shipping_facts.htm]this”>http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/holidaynews/2011/html/holiday_shipping_facts.htm).</p>
<p>So I think you would be fine giving your mail carrier a $20 (or less) gift card from someplace like Starbucks.</p>
<p>Here is something on CNN that says more:</p>
<p>[Advice</a> on giving holiday tips to service providers - Nov. 13, 2006](<a href=“http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/13/lifestyle/holiday_tipping/index.htm]Advice”>Advice on giving holiday tips to service providers - Nov. 13, 2006)</p>
<p>I am happy to tip ours too. What kind of gift certificate do you give? The weather conditions can be really bad sometimes here in VT. Ours does often drive up our longish driveway and deliver packages to our front door.</p>
<p>any postal employees out there? as a federal employee the limit is $10</p>
<p>I really would like to know. When my son was in public school, the limit for teacher gifts was $50.</p>
<p>do the rules specify a limit to how often you can tip $20? There are 12 days of Christmas lol.</p>
<p>We’ve also given our mail carrier a card with a 20/25$ gift card. One year, I believe we were scrambling and H put 20$ cash in the card since we didn’t have a gift card handy. Didn’t know this was illegal :(</p>
<p>We always get a card in the mailbox a week or so later from our mailman wishing us for the new year and thanking us. Thought that was so nice of him!</p>
<p>What do folks about garbage/recycle handlers?</p>
<p>We’ve been giving our mail carrier $20 in cash every year for the past 15 years or so.</p>
<p>Never heard a word about it being inappropriate.</p>
<p>$20 Starbucks gift card here. I hope we don’t all go to jail. But my wife does it. She takes full responsibility.</p>
<p>That link surfcity posted is helpful–the only one I’d quibble with is kids’ music teachers–we try to give them a nice gift, perhaps equivalent to the cost of a lesson. They often live more hand to mouth than school teachers do.</p>
<p>Hey if a postman received $10 or $20 from even half his customers he would be doing okay.</p>
<p>Did you notice that the link surfcity provided was dated 2006? I wonder if the dollar amounts may have changed since then.</p>
<p>I just think it’s weird that you can give a “gift” but not money. I’d rather give money that he/she could use or give away as a “gift” to someone else.</p>
<p>I have never tipped my postal carrier since it falls into my category of workers that don’t qualify for tips
They make a decent wage as it is
I get offered tips on occasion and always turn them down politely.
On occasion , I have been given a token gift from customers…such as a cold drink or bottle of wine. If someone goes to that trouble, it would be inpolite to decline IMO , but it is by no means expected simply because I serve my customers</p>
<p>I believe if you are covered by a health care plan, eligible for a pension or 401k match you do not need a tip.</p>