New York's attorney general sued UPS in December 2025 for systematically stealing wages from thousands of seasonal workers, including failing to record hours and manipulating timekeeping systems to deny overtime pay. OSHA found UPS responsible for 1,142 severe workplace injuries between 2015 and 2022, more than any other U.S. employer, and the company resisted installing air conditioning for drivers despite multiple heat-related deaths. A federal jury awarded a former UPS driver $237.6 million in 2024 after finding the company retaliated against him and wrongfully fired him following grievances he filed alleging racial discrimination. A judge later reduced the punitive damages, leaving an award of roughly $40 million.

Why should I avoid UPS?

UPS holds an active logistics contract with ICE amid its intensified enforcement operations. In 2024, UPS refused OSHA safety inspections for its delivery trucks and sought to permanently block the agency from obtaining future inspection warrants for its facilities. The Teamsters union sued UPS in February 2026 for breaching its national labor contract, including eliminating union jobs it had agreed to create.

UPS

Flagged · Avoid

One of the world's oldest and largest package delivery companies, with a largely unionized workforce and one of the biggest commercial vehicle fleets on earth, with the emissions footprint to match.

Last updated June 13, 2026

Reasons to avoid

Issues span:PrivacyLabor

UPS holds an active logistics contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to public federal spending data. Fortune reported in June 2025 that UPS is among the Fortune 500 companies providing package delivery services to ICE amid the agency's intensified enforcement operations.fortune.com2025-06-26
New York's Attorney General sued UPS in December 2025 for systematically stealing wages from thousands of seasonal workers — failing to record hours, requiring off-the-clock labor, and manipulating timekeeping systems to deny legally required overtime pay.ag.ny.gov2025-12-15
A federal jury awarded a former UPS driver $237.6 million in 2024, finding the company retaliated against him and wrongfully fired him after he filed grievances alleging racial discrimination, including being repeatedly called "boy" by a supervisor. A judge later reduced the punitive damages, leaving an award of roughly $40 million.seattletimes.com2024-09-16
OSHA found UPS responsible for 1,142 severe workplace injuries between 2015 and 2022 — more than any other U.S. employer. Multiple drivers died from heat-related illness while working in delivery trucks with no air conditioning. UPS resisted installing AC for years despite a petition with over one million signatures.nbcnews.com2022-08-01
In 2024, UPS refused OSHA inspections meant to install heat-stress monitors in its delivery trucks and sought to permanently block the agency from ever obtaining future inspection warrants for its facilities.bloomberglaw.com2024-10-30
The Teamsters union sued UPS in February 2026 for breaching its national contract — including eliminating union jobs it had agreed to create, bypassing union representation to deal directly with workers, and launching an illegal buyout program to shed full-time drivers.teamster.org2026-02-09

Ethical alternatives

Shipping

USPS

United States Postal Service - unionized workers, serves all communities, lower carbon footprint.

🏛️ Public Service

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Local Courier Services

Support local delivery companies that treat workers fairly and know your community.

📍 Local Business

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Sendle

Carbon-neutral shipping for small businesses with transparent pricing.

♻️ Sustainable✅ B-Corp

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DHL GoGreen

Carbon-neutral shipping option with better labor practices in many regions.

♻️ Sustainable

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Common Questions

Is UPS ethical?: New York's attorney general sued UPS in December 2025 for systematically stealing wages from thousands of seasonal workers, including failing to record hours and manipulating timekeeping systems to deny overtime pay. OSHA found UPS responsible for 1,142 severe workplace injuries between 2015 and 2022, more than any other U.S. employer, and the company resisted installing air conditioning for drivers despite multiple heat-related deaths. A federal jury awarded a former UPS driver $237.6 million in 2024 after finding the company retaliated against him and wrongfully fired him following grievances he filed alleging racial discrimination. A judge later reduced the punitive damages, leaving an award of roughly $40 million.
Why should I avoid UPS?: UPS holds an active logistics contract with ICE amid its intensified enforcement operations. In 2024, UPS refused OSHA safety inspections for its delivery trucks and sought to permanently block the agency from obtaining future inspection warrants for its facilities. The Teamsters union sued UPS in February 2026 for breaching its national labor contract, including eliminating union jobs it had agreed to create.
What are the best ethical alternatives to UPS?: USPS is a unionized public service that serves all communities and has a lower carbon footprint. Sendle is a B Corp offering carbon-neutral shipping for small businesses with transparent pricing. DHL GoGreen provides a carbon-neutral shipping option with better labor practices in many regions.