AN ETHICS REFRESHER

Standards of Conduct

14 General Principles

14 General Principles

#1 Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws and ethical principles above private gain.

14 General Principles

#2 Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.

14 General Principles

#3 Employees shall not engage in financial transactions using nonpublic Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.

14 General Principles

#4 An employee shall not, except as permitted by Subpart B of [the Standards of Conduct], solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee's agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's duties.

14 General Principles

#5 Employees shall put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.

14 General Principles

#6 Employees shall not knowingly make unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the Government.

14 General Principles

#7 Employees shall not use public office for private gain.

14 General Principles

#8 Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.

14 General Principles

#9 Employees shall protect and conserve Federal property and shall not use it for other than authorized activities.

14 General Principles

#10 Employees shall not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with official Government duties and responsibilities.

14 General Principles

#11 Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.

14 General Principles

#12 Employees shall satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens, including all just financial obligations, especially those--such as Federal, State, or local taxes--that are imposed by law.

14 General Principles

#13 Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.

14 General Principles

#14 Employees shall endeavor to avoid any action creating the appearance that they are violating the law or the ethical Standards.

Consequence for Violating Ethics Regulations

• Disciplinary action including removal from Government Service

• Civil penalty • Criminal penalty including jail,

probation, and fines.

Fed gets 25 days for nonpayment of child

support

Fed fired for disclosing sensitive information

Federal Employee Arrested After Wedding

Reception FightFederal Employee Guilty of Fraud & Accepting Bribes

Fed Fired for Hatch Act ViolationFed Gets 2 Yrs for

Covering-up Co- worker’s Wrongdoings

Army Captain Faces 35 Years For Bribing Military

Contractors in Iraq

All Feds pay the price for GSA scandal

Fed Indicted for Accessing Secure Database

Fed fired for misuse of Government credit card

Senators concerned Secret Service prostitution scandal was part of a ‘culture,’ not isolated

OFFICIAL TRAVEL

• Allowed to keep promotional items – e.g. frequent flyer miles

• Voluntary bumps - can keep benefit as long as there is no increase in cost to Government•May have to take leave.• Cannot claim additional

per diem.• Involuntary bumps - benefit belongs to

Government. 41 C.F.R. § 301-10.116.

• Government travel card is mandatory.

• Don’t use personal card just to obtain benefits

• GSA reg. Effective FY2000 excepts only incidentals such as parking, laundry.

• Failure to use may result in discipline.

• GOVs & Government leased vehicles (those leased by someone with Contracting authority) = Official Use ONLY

• Rental Car ≠ GOV – personal use permitted.– No cost to Government

• Personally liable• Must pay for gas

– On own time.– Must not violate agency policy.

22

USE of GOVMay NEVER use GOV

for personal purposes.30 days suspension

without pay if use vehicle for non-official purpose.

GIFTS

Gifts, Entertainment, Favors• Decline anything of value from a person or organization

that:– Has or seeks business with your agency/Dept or any of

its components;– Is regulated by agency/dept or any of its components; or– Has interests you can affect by the performance or

nonperformance of your job• Decline anything given to you because of your official

position.

Exceptions to the Gift Rule• Gifts of $20 or less per occasion and less than $50

from one source annually may be accepted.

• Gifts received as a result of a personal or outside business relationship.– Look at circumstances.– Make sure the benefit has not been offered or

enhanced because of your position.• Discounts offered to all.

$20

Disposition of Prohibited Gifts

• Return to sender (at government expense).– Reciprocation is not equivalent of returning a gift of

entertainment.• Pay the Fair Market Value for the gift.• Turn over to general services for disposition.• Perishable items: to charity, or share with office.

Gifts to Superiors• Gifts to superiors are prohibited.• Exceptions for special occasions of marriage, illness

or retirement.– Use caution when collecting for gifts.

• Employees may also give a gift of $10 on an occasional (traditional gift giving) basis.

Hatch ActWe are generally allowed to engage in political

activity, except:–Cannot be candidate in partisan election–May not collect money for candidates–No political activity at federal workplace,

while in uniform, or while using a government vehicle

Hatch Act• For more detailed info, go to

www.osc.gov• They have lists of things you can

and can’t do

MISUSE OF POSITION AND ENDORSEMENT

Misuse of Position and Endorsement

• Must not use your public office for private gain

• Use only for doing properly assigned tasks • Must act impartially and not give anyone

preferential treatment

Examples of Misuse of Position– Doing favors for former service employees.– Inappropriate use of your badge or title.– Use of letterhead for other than official

correspondence.– Tasking a subordinate with non-official

assignments.– Getting special consideration for a friend’s

application or petition.– Referring the public to a particular immigration

practitioner.