Ethical and Professional Conduct Flashcards

You witness a senior employee taking office supplies home for personal use on a regular basis. What is the most appropriate action?

Answer: Report the behavior to your supervisor or ethics office

Misappropriation of government property is a violation regardless of seniority, and must be reported through proper channels.

A journalist contacts you directly asking for comment on an internal agency investigation. You should:

Answer: Decline to comment and refer them to the agency's public affairs or communications office

Communications with media about agency matters must go through designated official channels to protect the integrity of investigations.

You are assigned to a committee evaluating vendor bids, and you realize your brother works for one of the bidding companies. You should:

Answer: Disclose the relationship and recuse yourself from evaluating that vendor's bid

Disclosing family relationships and recusing yourself from related decisions is the required response to a conflict of interest.

You are new to a position and your supervisor gives you an instruction that differs from what you learned in training. The best approach is to:

Answer: Clarify the discrepancy with your supervisor and seek guidance on the correct procedure

Seeking clarification ensures you understand the correct procedure and respects the supervisor's authority while promoting accuracy.

You are working on a high-priority project and realize you will not meet the deadline without cutting corners on quality. What should you do?

Answer: Inform your supervisor as soon as possible so adjustments can be made

Proactive communication about potential deadline or quality issues allows supervisors to make informed decisions in advance.

During a public-facing role, you personally disagree with a policy you are required to explain and enforce. You should:

Answer: Explain and apply the policy professionally while using proper channels to advocate for change internally

Civil servants are obligated to implement lawful policies professionally, even when they personally disagree, while pursuing change through legitimate channels.

An applicant for a benefit program offers you information suggesting they may be slightly over the eligibility threshold, but asks you not to record it. The correct action is to:

Answer: Record all relevant information accurately and apply eligibility rules consistently

Accurate recordkeeping and consistent application of eligibility rules are fundamental to fair and lawful administration.