Civil Service FAQ Civil Service Ethics 2

Question 1

Under the federal gift rules, what is the general maximum value of a gift an employee may accept from a non-prohibited source at one time?

Accepted Answer

$20 per occasion, up to $50 per source per year

Answer

5 C.F.R. 2635.204(a) allows gifts of $20 or less per occasion, capped at $50 per source per calendar year.

Question 2

A federal employee is offered a $75 lunch by a contractor bidding on a contract the employee oversees. What should the employee do?

Accepted Answer

Decline the lunch because the contractor is a prohibited source and the value exceeds the limit

Answer

Contractors seeking business from the agency are prohibited sources, and the gift exceeds the $20 exception.

Question 3

Which law makes it a crime for a federal employee to participate personally and substantially in a matter in which they have a financial interest?

Accepted Answer

18 U.S.C. 208

Answer

18 U.S.C. 208 is the criminal conflict-of-interest statute covering financial interests.

Question 4

Which form do most senior federal officials file annually to disclose financial interests?

Accepted Answer

SF 278 (public financial disclosure report)

Answer

The SF 278 is the Public Financial Disclosure Report for senior officials, and OGE Form 450 is for confidential filers.

Question 5

An employee owns $30,000 of stock in a company affected by a rule they are drafting. Which is the most appropriate step?

Accepted Answer

Recuse or seek a waiver or divestiture after consulting an agency ethics official

Answer

Employees must stop work on the matter, or have a waiver or divestiture arranged, to avoid violating Section 208.

Civil Service FAQ Practice Test