Allegations reviewed/tracked by the Office of Inspector General (OIG): including all internal crimes and employee misconduct

• Abuse of Power:  Making excessive or improper decisions, choices, or appointments because one’s authority allows them to do so.
• Alcohol/Drug Use/Sales:  Allegation that employee is using alcohol or using or selling illegal drugs while on duty.
• Background Investigation:  False information provided or failure to disclose information in connection with employee background investigation.
• Bribery:  The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of something of value for the purpose of influencing an action or the discharge of official duties.
• Changing of Color Codes:  Purposely changing or altering Color Codes.
• Conflict of Interest:  A clash between USPS interests and the private interest of an official that may influence that official's performance of duty.
• Contract Fraud:  Fraud in connection with USPS contracts or committed by USPS contractor(s), such as making false statements or false claims or providing a product less than called for in the contract.
• Discrimination:  Unfair treatment or denial of privileges to persons because of their race, color, age (40+), sex, nationality, religion, disability, marital or parental status, or sexual preference.
• EEO Processing (complaints involving the EEO process):  Complaints that there are fundamental flaws involving the process in which the USPS handles EEO complaints.
• Embezzlement:  The fraudulent appropriation of USPS property by one lawfully entrusted with its possession.
• False Claims:  Making a claim on or against the USPS or other Federal Agency, knowing the claim is false, fictitious, or fradulent, such as certifying delivery when no delivery has been made.
• False Statements:  Making a statement, written or oral, to the USPS, or other Federal Agency, that is knowingly and materially false, or made recklessly without honest belief in its truth, and with purpose to mislead or deceive.
• Falsifying Official Documents:  To counterfeit, forge, mutilate, alter, make additions to, or tamper with an official USPS form or document.
• Favoritism:  Preference and selection based on friendship or factors other than merit.
• FMLA processing (management’s failure involving processing paperwork):  Complaint that there are fundamental flaws involving the process in which the USPS handles FMLA claims.
• Fraud:  A false representation of a matter of fact, whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of a fact which should have been disclosed, which deceives and is intended to deceive another so that they rely on it to their injury.
• Gambling:  To play a game for money or other things of value.
• Harassment:^*  A course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes substantial emotional distress in that person and serves no legitimate purpose (including words, gestures, and actions that tend to annoy, alarm, or verbally abuse another person).
• Hazardous Materials:^*  The reporting of dangerous and/or hazardous materials (including chemical and biological agents and illegal explosives).
• Hostile Work Environment:^*  Offensive conduct that is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to alter the conditions of a individual's employment and create an abusive worker environment.
• Intimidation:  To unlawfully coerce, extort, or put in fear of bodily harm.
• Internal Mail Theft:  Theft of mail by an employee or contractor.
• Kickback:  Payment back by seller of a portion of the purchase price to USPS official to induce purchase or to improperly influence future purchases or leases with that seller.
• Misconduct:  Improper and/or illegal acts by a USPS employee which violate his/her duty to follow the law and act on behalf of the public good. Often such conduct is under the guise or "color" of official authority.
• Mismanagement:  A collective term covering acts of waste and abuse. Extravagant, careless, or needless expenditure of Government funds or the consumption or misuse of Government property or resources, resulting from deficient practices, systems, controls or decisions. Abuse of authority or similar actions that do not involve criminal fraud.
• Misuse/Diversion of USPS Property (including computer equipment and vehicles):  To improperly use USPS property or computer equipment or to use such items without proper authorization.
• Misuse of funds/credit cards:  To inappropriately distribute USPS funds or credit cards or to use those items without proper authorization.
• Nepotism:  The inappropriate appointing, hiring, or promotion of others to positions based upon blood or marital relationship.
• Operational Issues (mail delivery):  Problems at USPS facilities that have an adverse affect on mail delivery.
• Operational Issues (mail processing):  Problems at USPS facilities that have an adverse affect on mail processing.
• Other:  Any other allegation not covered by this list (be sure to provide specifics in summary).
• OWCP Fraud (employee):  Fraud committed by an USPS employee in connection with an OWCP claim.
• OWCP Fraud (medical provider):  Fraud committed by a medical provider (including physicians, durable medical equipment vendors, pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories) involving an OWCP claim (billing the USPS for unnecessary medical services or medical services that were never rendered).
• OWCP Processing (management’s failure involving processing paperwork):^*  Complaint involving the process in which the USPS handled an OWCP claim or that there are fundamental flaws involving the process in which the USPS handles OWCP claims.
• Prohibited Mailings:  The mailing of prohibited material (including child pornography).
• Retaliation:  Taking or failing to take a personnel action for the exercise of any right granted by a law, rule, or regulation.
• Sexual Harassment:  Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the course of employment.
• Tense, Stressful, and Intimidating Work Environment:^*  A work environment charged with discord, disagreement, and even inflammatory arguing. Work environment that is perceived as unfair, oppressive, discriminatory and not conducive to resolving conflict. Work environment that allows inappropriate, offensive, even unlawful behavior in general. Characteristics often include: high volume of grievances, EEO complaints, absenteeism, and compensation claims.
• Theft:  The act of stealing or taking USPS property without consent or authorization (can include computer equipment, IMPAC Card, supplies).
• Timekeeping/Clock Ring/Payroll complaints:  Complaints involving timekeeping and payroll issues (including complaints that clock rings were inappropriately changed).
• Travel Claims Fraud:  Allegation that the USPS paid inappropriate or fraudulent travel claims submitted by a USPS employee.
• Unethical Conduct:  Conduct by a USPS employee or official that does not adhere to or is inconsistent with professional standards.
• Whistleblower Reprisal:  Taking, failing to take, or threatening to take a personnel action against any employee or applicant for making a complaint or disclosing information which the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences a violation of any law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; a gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. For example, after an employee reported fraud to the OIG, the employee's supervisor issued the employee a Letter of Warning.
• Workplace Safety Issues:^*  Complaints involving problems with workplace safety, unsafe work environments, or health hazards at USPS worksites.
• Zero Tolerance Policy Violation (assaults/threats/violence):  Complaints involving the violation of the USPS Policy of Zero Tolerance on Violence, threats made by or towards USPS employees, and assaults by and against USPS employees, or other acts of violence involving USPS employees.

^* Tracked only, unless particularly egregious in nature.