Situational Judgment and Work Ethics Flashcards

What is the most important reason for government employees to maintain accurate and complete records?

Answer: To ensure accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making

Accurate records support accountability, enable informed policy decisions, fulfill legal obligations, and maintain public trust in government.

A citizen becomes verbally abusive toward you during a service interaction. What should you do?

Answer: Calmly warn that you will need to end the interaction if the behavior continues, then follow through if needed

Calmly setting boundaries while attempting de-escalation is the professional standard for handling difficult interactions in public service.

Which practice best supports a culture of continuous improvement in a government agency?

Answer: Encouraging staff to identify inefficiencies and suggest improvements through proper channels

Creating safe channels for employees to identify and suggest improvements leads to more effective and efficient government service delivery.

You are offered a gift worth $75 by a contractor whose proposal you are reviewing. What should you do?

Answer: Decline the gift and report the offer to your ethics officer

Federal ethics rules generally prohibit accepting gifts from contractors doing business with your agency; offers must be declined and may need to be reported.

What does 'accountability' mean in the context of government service?

Answer: Taking personal responsibility for one's actions and their consequences

Accountability in public service means taking ownership of one's decisions, actions, and their outcomes, whether positive or negative.

Which of the following is an example of proper use of government resources?

Answer: Using a government computer to complete official work assignments

Government resources — including computers, vehicles, and equipment — must only be used for official government business purposes.