Civil Service FAQ Employee Ethical Conduct 2

Question 1

A federal employee receives a holiday gift basket worth $30 from a contractor their agency regularly works with. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Decline the gift or return it because it comes from a prohibited source

Answer

Accept it — gifts under $50 are always permitted

Answer

Keep it and report the value on their financial disclosure form

Answer

Split it with coworkers so no single person benefits

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a 'conflict of interest' for a government employee?

Accepted Answer

Having a personal financial interest that could improperly influence an official decision

Answer

Disagreeing with a supervisor's management style

Answer

Working longer hours than a colleague on the same project

Answer

Preferring one vendor's product features over another's

Question 3

What is 'misuse of position' in the context of federal ethics rules?

Accepted Answer

Using government resources or authority to benefit oneself or others outside official duties

Answer

Accepting a higher-grade assignment without formal promotion paperwork

Answer

Volunteering for extra duties beyond one's job description

Answer

Disagreeing with agency policy through official grievance channels

Question 4

An employee discovers their colleague is inflating travel reimbursement claims. Under whistleblower protection rules, what should the employee do?

Accepted Answer

Report the misconduct through proper channels such as the Inspector General or OSC

Answer

Stay silent to avoid workplace conflict

Answer

Confront the colleague directly and demand they repay the funds

Answer

Report only if they have witnessed more than three incidents

Question 5

Under the Hatch Act, which activity is generally PROHIBITED for most federal civilian employees?

Accepted Answer

Running for partisan political office while on active federal employment

Answer

Voting in federal, state, or local elections

Answer

Displaying a political bumper sticker on a personal vehicle

Answer

Signing a political petition as a private citizen

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of mandatory financial disclosure reports required of certain federal employees?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential conflicts of interest between personal finances and official duties

Answer

To calculate the employee's federal income tax liability

Answer

To determine eligibility for government-sponsored retirement benefits

Answer

To verify compliance with federal pay caps