Ethical & Professional Standards Flashcards

You are offered a part-time consulting job by a private firm that your agency regulates. You should:

Answer: Decline because of the clear conflict of interest between your public role and private employment

Employment with a regulated entity creates a direct conflict of interest that compromises your agency's regulatory objectivity.

You disagree with a new agency policy. The most appropriate professional response is to:

Answer: Voice your disagreement through proper internal channels while continuing to implement the policy

Civil servants must implement lawful policies while using internal channels to advocate for changes they believe are needed.

During a staff meeting, your manager shares information about a personnel matter involving a colleague. You should:

Answer: Keep the information confidential and treat it as private

Personnel information shared in professional settings carries an obligation of confidentiality.

You are completing a government form and realize a required field does not apply to your situation. You should:

Answer: Write N/A and document why it does not apply

Marking non-applicable fields clearly and accurately maintains the integrity of official records.

A contractor asks you to keep the terms of their agreement confidential from other contractors. You should:

Answer: Decline if agency transparency rules require that contract terms be accessible

Government contracts are often subject to public records laws, and confidentiality requests that violate these laws cannot be honored.

You notice that a team member is consistently given less desirable assignments based on what appears to be their national origin. You should:

Answer: Raise the concern with HR or an EEO officer

Discrimination in work assignments based on protected characteristics must be reported to the appropriate civil rights authority.

You are about to leave government service for a private sector job. A colleague asks you to take a copy of internal strategic documents to help you transition. You should:

Answer: Decline, as government documents remain agency property regardless of your role in creating them

Government documents are agency property and cannot be taken by departing employees, even those who authored them.