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As Federal employees of the Department
of Agriculture's (USDA) Executive Branch, each
of us must always make every effort to know and
understand the rules of ethical conduct. Consequently,
understanding and observing these ethics rules
is essential to placing loyalty to high ethical
standards above private gain.
Executive Order 12674 outlines the "Fourteen
Principles of Ethical Conduct for Federal Employees,"
and is the foundation for all ethical conduct
regulations cited under Title 5 Code of Federal
Regulation, Part 2635. In certain instances, a
violation of these rules could result in disciplinary
action and/or prosecution under related criminal
statues regarding conflict of interest.
As a reminder that public service is a public
trust, the following overview of general ethics
rules governing ethical conduct for Federal employees
of USDA is being provided.
Fourteen Principles of Ethical Conduct for
Federal Employees
- Public service is a public trust, requiring
employees to place loyalty to the Constitution,
the laws and ethical principles above private
gain.
- Employees shall not hold financial interest
that conflict with the conscientious performance
of duty.
- Employees shall not engage in financial transactions
using nonpublic Government information or allow
the improper use of such information to further
any private interest.
- An employee shall not, except as permitted
by the Standards of Ethical Conduct, solicit,
or accept any gift or other item of monetary
value from any person or entity seeking official
action from, doing business with, or conducting
activities regulated by the employee's agency
or whose interests may be substantially affected
by the performance or nonperformance of the
employee's duties.
- Employees shall put forth honest effort in
the performance of their duties.
- Employees shall not knowing make unauthorized
commitments or promises of any kind purporting
to bind the Government.
- Employees shall not use public office for
private gain.
- Employees shall act impartially and not give
preferential treatment to any private organization
or individual.
- Employees shall protect and conserve Federal
property and shall not use it for other than
authorized activities.
- Employees shall not engage in outside employment
or activities, including seeking or negotiating
for employment, which conflict with official
Government duties and responsibilities.
- Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse,
and corruption to appropriate authorities.
- Employees shall satisfy in good faith their
obligations as citizens, including financial,
especially all financial--such as Federal, State,
or local taxes that are imposed by law.
- Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations
that provide equal opportunity for all Americans
regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, or disability.
- Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions
creating the appearance that they are violating
the law or the ethical standards set forth in
the Standards of Ethical Conduct. Whether particular
circumstances create an appearance that the
law or these standards have been violated shall
be determined from the perspectives of a reasonable
person with knowledge of the relevant facts.
Inquires regarding this memorandum should be
referred to your supervisor. Supervisors, with
inquires, should contact the National Finance
Center's Ethics Office, at Extension 5-5679.
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