Employee Ethical Conduct Flashcards
6 cards from real Civil Service FAQ practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Employee Ethical Conduct flashcards as text
A federal employee receives a holiday gift basket worth $30 from a contractor their agency regularly works with. What is the correct action?
Answer: Decline the gift or return it because it comes from a prohibited source
Federal ethics rules prohibit accepting gifts from prohibited sources — including contractors doing business with your agency — regardless of value. The $20 de minimis exception does not apply when the giver is a prohibited source.
Which of the following best describes a 'conflict of interest' for a government employee?
Answer: Having a personal financial interest that could improperly influence an official decision
A conflict of interest exists when an employee's personal financial interests — such as stock holdings, outside employment, or business relationships — could improperly influence how they carry out their official duties.
What is 'misuse of position' in the context of federal ethics rules?
Answer: Using government resources or authority to benefit oneself or others outside official duties
Misuse of position occurs when an employee uses their government title, authority, resources, or information to gain a private benefit for themselves or others, which is prohibited under the Standards of Ethical Conduct.
An employee discovers their colleague is inflating travel reimbursement claims. Under whistleblower protection rules, what should the employee do?
Answer: Report the misconduct through proper channels such as the Inspector General or OSC
Employees who report fraud, waste, or abuse through proper channels — such as the Inspector General, Office of Special Counsel, or designated ethics officials — are protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act from retaliation.
Under the Hatch Act, which activity is generally PROHIBITED for most federal civilian employees?
Answer: Running for partisan political office while on active federal employment
The Hatch Act prohibits most federal employees from running as candidates for public office in partisan elections, using official authority to influence elections, and soliciting political contributions from subordinates.
What is the primary purpose of mandatory financial disclosure reports required of certain federal employees?
Answer: To identify potential conflicts of interest between personal finances and official duties
Financial disclosure reports allow ethics officials to identify potential conflicts between an employee's personal financial interests — investments, outside income, liabilities — and their official responsibilities, enabling timely recusal or divestiture.