[Spectreron]

How much $$ do you give for Christmas to your hired service people, i.e. Lawn, pool, newspaper person, etc. ?

[bagboy]

$25 is a nice way to say thank you and Merry Christmas to anyone who you feel provides a worthwhile service in a professional manner.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Spectreron

How much $$ do you give for Christmas to your hired service people, i.e. Lawn, pool, newspaper person, etc. ?

Originally Posted by bagboy

$25 is a nice way to say thank you and Merry Christmas to anyone who you feel provides a worthwhile service in a professional manner.

Please don't forget the postal people.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by CWGUY

Please don't forget the postal people.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

They were first on the list 😃

[Bogie Shooter]

No set scale.
Give what you can that makes you feel good.

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by CWGUY

Please don't forget the postal people.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Can postal workers accept tips? After all they are government employees.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

Can postal workers accept tips? After all they are government employees.

I think ours are contractors.

[ttown]

I give to the trash collectors. They work very hard and seldom get appreciation.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by jnieman

I think ours are contractors.

Yes they are.

[redwitch]

Most of the workers are subcontractors. If they drive a USPS mail truck, they're federal employees and not allowed to receive tips. If you see a private vehicle for the carrier at your station, that person is a subcontractor and bids for the job. They work hard for us, receive a poor wage and most definitely deserve our tips. Ditto the newspaper delivery folks.

If you're going to tip your lawn guys, give the tip directly to each individual. Adding the tip to your monthly payment pretty much guarantees that the guys who actually do the work won't see a dime in most cases. Ditto your house cleaners.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by ttown

I give to the trash collectors. They work very hard and seldom get appreciation.

I agree, but how do you do this?

[ttown]

It isn't easy, but if you wave a card at them they will stop. They may even toot the horn...

[NavyNJ]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Most of the workers are subcontractors. If they drive a USPS mail truck, they're federal employees and not allowed to receive tips. If you see a private vehicle for the carrier at your station, that person is a subcontractor and bids for the job. They work hard for us, receive a poor wage and most definitely deserve our tips. Ditto the newspaper delivery folks.

If you're going to tip your lawn guys, give the tip directly to each individual. Adding the tip to your monthly payment pretty much guarantees that the guys who actually do the work won't see a dime in most cases. Ditto your house cleaners.

Hmmm.......not sure that being a contractor for USPS, and working at TV Mail Stations makes a person different from an actual USPS worker at a real Post Office. The company the bid for, and won the contract for those services almost certainly had to sign/agree to provisions in their contract that addressed "ethics" issues, including accepting gifts (better word than "tips").

Having said that, either contactor or regular USPS employee is allowed to receive cedrtain "gifts" valued at $20 or less, including gift cards (can't be convertible directly to cash though). There is a long list of items that can be given, as well as a list of items that cannot (alcohol, event tickets, large gift cards >$20, etc.). Having given all our local service people small gifts from the time I was a kid in the 60's (stuff like handkerchief packs (haha! good luck giving someone those anymore!!), a tie, heavy socks, or, in some cases, a 5th of whiskey (nothing expensive!)), I would not be concerned about what I chose to give someone deserving at Christmas.

Happy Holidays to All!!

[CWGUY]

12 years ago when we moved here, we started at $25.00 gifts and have increased since. Nobody has gone to jail yet... let's not over think this.

I get good service and I want to make the Holidays a little better for some people.

When my postal worker (not mailman) sees me - he calls me by name and I do the same with him. Get to know the people a little. I have had him bring packages to my house. Much better than driving to Lady Lake P.O.

IMHO people that want to tip.....TIP. Not find reasons not too! Or for that matter ask what is correct. I would think there is no right answer.

[D&Lsunfun]

The newspaper person that delivers your paper to our driveway, everyday. Working for pennies to deliver the newspaper and paying the up keep on their vehicle. Besides the fuel cost. I consider their service, tip worthy.