KSA Professional Standards & Ethics 3

Question 1

Which action is a prohibited personnel practice under 5 U.S.C. 2302?

Accepted Answer

Reassigning an employee in retaliation for whistleblowing

Answer

Retaliating against an employee for protected disclosures is a prohibited personnel practice.

Question 2

The Hatch Act primarily restricts federal employees from doing what?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in partisan political activity while on duty or in the federal workplace

Answer

The Hatch Act limits partisan political activity, especially on duty, in federal spaces, or using official authority.

Question 3

A supervisor learns that a close relative has applied for a vacancy in their unit. What does the anti-nepotism law require?

Accepted Answer

The supervisor may not appoint, employ, promote, or advocate for the relative

Answer

5 U.S.C. 3110 prohibits a public official from appointing or advocating for a relative in their agency.

Question 4

You handle sensitive personnel records. A friend asks if a mutual acquaintance was disciplined. What is the right answer?

Accepted Answer

Decline, since the information is protected by the Privacy Act

Answer

The Privacy Act restricts disclosure of records about individuals without authorization.

Question 5

When seeking non-federal employment, an employee must disqualify themselves from matters affecting a prospective employer once what occurs?

Accepted Answer

They begin seeking employment with that party in a way that triggers 'seeking employment' rules

Answer

Sending an application or engaging in negotiations means the employee is seeking employment and must recuse.

KSA - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Practice Test