The MSPB guidance on merit system principles says that one of them—that “all employees should maintain high standards of integrity, conduct, and concern for the public interest”—sets an expectation that federal employees will “demonstrate exemplary integrity and conduct to maintain the public’s trust and honor their obligations to serve the public.”
In addition to the government-wide Principles of Ethical Conduct, agencies may develop supplemental standards of conduct tailored to their individual requirements, it says.
Ways management can help assure that the expectations are met, it says, include: hire employees with integrity; conduct careful assessments, such as reference checks—but consider only job-related information; be mindful of challenges to uncovering integrity issues (such as lack of transparency and “clean record” agreements); appropriately utilize the probationary period; act swiftly to address risks and problems; and encourage employees to report wrongdoing they observe.
Management should avoid making hiring decisions with insufficient information; avoiding or postponing action on potential integrity problems; and ignoring or punishing those who report wrongdoing, it said.