Civil Service FAQ Civil Service Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A federal employee is offered a gift basket from a contractor their agency oversees.
The basket contains items valued at a total of $35.
According to the general rule on gifts from outside sources, what should the employee do?

Accepted Answer

Decline the gift because it exceeds the $20 per-occasion limit.

Answer

Accept the basket, as the total value is less than the $50 annual limit from a single source.

Answer

Accept the gift but report it to their supervisor immediately.

Answer

Decline the gift but suggest the contractor donate it to a charity.

Question 2

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a violation of the principle that 'Public service is a public trust'?

Accepted Answer

An inspector accepts a free lunch from a company they are currently auditing, believing it will not influence their findings.

Answer

An employee uses their government-issued laptop to complete a required training course at home after work hours.

Answer

A manager provides a detailed and honest performance review for a subordinate they personally dislike.

Answer

A federal scientist publishes their research findings in a peer-reviewed journal in accordance with agency policy.

Question 3

A senior federal employee leaves their government position to work for a private company. They are immediately assigned to represent the company in a contract negotiation with their former agency. The employee had personally and substantially participated in the early stages of this same contract matter while employed by the government. Which post-employment restriction is most directly violated?

Accepted Answer

The lifetime ban on matters in which they participated 'personally and substantially'.

Answer

The one-year 'cooling-off' period for senior employees.

Answer

The two-year restriction on matters under their 'official responsibility'.

Answer

The prohibition on aiding foreign entities.

Question 4

An employee at a federal agency learns nonpublic information that a specific alternative energy technology, currently being developed by several private companies, will soon receive a major, unexpected government grant. Before this information is announced, the employee buys stock in one of the leading companies in that sector. This action primarily violates the ethical principle regarding:

Accepted Answer

Not using nonpublic Government information to further any private interest.

Answer

Putting forth an honest effort in the performance of duties.

Answer

Protecting and conserving Federal property.

Answer

Avoiding actions that create an appearance of violating the law.

Question 5

Which of the following actions is an appropriate use of government property or an employee's official position?

Accepted Answer

Using an agency's official letterhead to write a letter of recommendation for a former subordinate seeking a new federal government job.

Answer

Briefly using a government computer to check personal social media during a lunch break.

Answer

Asking a subordinate to pick up their personal dry cleaning during the workday since the shop is near the office.

Answer

Endorsing a commercial product in a testimonial video while wearing their official agency uniform.

Question 6

A federal employee has a significant financial interest in a company that is bidding on a contract with their agency. The employee is not on the selection committee but is asked by a colleague to provide an informal technical opinion on the bids. What is the employee's ethical obligation according to the rules on conflicting financial interests?

Accepted Answer

Recuse themselves from participating in any capacity in the matter.

Answer

Provide the opinion but disclose their financial interest to their colleague.

Answer

Sell their financial interest in the company before providing any opinion.

Answer

Provide the opinion, as their role is only advisory and not part of the formal decision.

A federal employee is offered a gift basket from a contractor their agency oversees.The basket contains items valued at a total of $35.According to the general rule on gifts from outside sources, what should the employee do?

A federal employee is offered a gift basket from a contractor their agency oversees.
The basket contains items valued at a total of $35.
According to the general rule on gifts from outside sources, what should the employee do?