The Interior department is attempting to manage potential ethical conflicts in the face of the shutdown as employees seek outside employment. Image: Bob Korn/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffIn guidance whose basic contours would apply government-wide, the Interior Department has warned employees unpaid during the partial shutdown–both those furloughed and those still at work–of the possible consequences under ethics laws and rules of various outside activities and assistance.
The guidance goes into more detail than what has been available through the Office of Government Ethics, which at the outset posted a general reminder that ethics policies still apply, but as a closed agency has not issued specific guidance as questions have arisen since.
For example, the Interior guidance says that while furloughed employees may accept a job from an entity that does not do business with the department, “the federal ethics rules, including those regarding non-public information and use of your federal title and position still apply while you are working for your non-federal employer. When the furlough ends, please consult with your servicing ethics office about whether any recusal or other ethics-related requirements result from your non-federal employment.”
Also, “Other than on a resume or to explain your qualifications, you may not use your official status, title, or position with the DOI in order to obtain any non-federal employment, nor may you use your official status, title, or position to benefit your non-federal employer.”
Acceptance of free meals or food is allowed so long as it falls within general gift acceptance rules–a value of no more than $20 per occasion and $50 annually from the same source–but “you may never accept cash, cash gift cards issued by a credit card company or other financial institution or checks made out to you, in any amount, given because of your official position (in this case because you are a furloughed employee) under any circumstances.”
Further, it discouraged employees from posting “fund me” type online solicitations, saying they carry a “high likelihood of violating the ethics rules” if they reference a person’s status as a federal employee. “You would need to ensure that no donors provide gifts in violation of the rules about gifts from prohibited sources and the established dollar limits,” it says.
More on furlough rules for federal employees at ask.FEDweek.com
