Nearly every job has a dress code policy, and USPS is no different.
USPS is particularly adamant about the types of shoes employees wear- so what is their shoe policy, and why is it so particular?
USPS Shoe Policy
USPS only allows employees to wear certain shoes for safety since they spend so much time on their feet. The approved shoes for USPS workers are dust-resistant and water-resistant and made of leather and leather-adjacent materials. Approved shoes are also SR/USA labeled and typically black with colored tags allowed.
There are a lot of intricacies in USPS’ shoe policy, so make sure to check out the rest of the article to get the complete picture!
What Shoe Materials Are USPS Employees Allowed To Wear?
All shoes approved by the USPS for employees to wear are leather or leather-adjacent materials such as hardy synthetic materials.
Synthetic materials like canvas or nylon are not acceptable materials for USPS shoes.
Other shoe features that are not allowed for USPS footwear are as follows:
- Heels more than 1 ½ inches in height or soles more than ½ inch high
- Shoes with open sides, toes, or heels
- Heels with steel taps
- Tennis shoes, athletic, or jogging shoes except those with the appropriate materials, or moccasins
- Any shoes that have netted material on them
- Shoes that are no longer adequate due to disrepair
If you want to read more about the safety guide for USPS workers, you can read the complete USPS handbook here.
Can USPS Employees Only Wear Black Shoes?
USPS employees are only permitted to wear SR/USA-labeled shoes at work.
All SR/USA-labeled shoes are black, with only a few exceptions. However, USPS does require that shoes worn on the jobs be black.
While the shoes USPS employees are allowed to wear are mainly black, they do not have to be entirely black.
USPS employee shoes are allowed to have tags or tongues that are not black, especially as SR/USA labeled shoes have a green tag indicating that they’re SR/USA labeled.
What Are SR/USA Labelled Shoes?
SR/USA labeled shoes mean that the shoes are slip-resistant and made in the United States of America.
SR/USA-labeled shoes always have a green label on them- if they do not have the green SR/USA label, they are not SR/USA-labeled shoes, regardless of how they’re marketed.
If you do not have SR/USA-labeled shoes while working at USPS, you won’t receive worker’s compensation if you get hurt on the job.
Where Can You Buy SR/USA Labeled Shoes?
The best way to purchase shoes, or any uniform pieces for that matter, for a USPS position is through Postal Uniforms Direct, which you can find online here.
You can also find SR/USA-labeled shoes through popular sites such as Amazon, Skechers, Webstaurant Shoes, New Balance, and Reebok.
It’s likely easiest to shop for and buy SR/USA shoes online as it can be difficult to walk into a brick-and-mortar store and differentiate between SR/USA shoes and shoes that look like they could be SR/USA labeled.
Why Do You Have To Buy SR/USA Labelled Shoes?
The biggest reason to adhere to USPS shoe policies is for safety reasons.
SR/USA labeled shoes are by definition slip-resistant and are also water and dust-resistant while providing good arch support and comfort for long days on your feet.
SR/USA-labeled shoes are also good for the economy, as they’re created in the United States and help to maintain and create jobs.
Another good reason to wear SR/USA-labeled shoes is in case you’re hurt on the job.
If you aren’t wearing SR/USA-labeled shoes when you’re on the job and get hurt, you will not be able to claim worker’s comp.
To learn more about working at USPS, you might also be interested in reading our guides on the USPS orientation, whether the USPS exam is hard, and whether USPS is a federal job.
