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Ethics

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

"You have not lived a perfect day, even though you have earned your money, unless you have done something for someone who cannot repay you." -- Ruth Smeltzer

May I continue to be involved in outside activities, including outside employment, after I enter Government service?
Many people who come to work for the Government are involved in outside activities, including charitable, religious, and community service work. Many employees may continue to participate in those outside activities, subject to some restrictions.

You may not engage in outside activities or employment that conflict with your official duties. In addition, there may be restrictions on your receiving compensation for your outside activities. For example, a full-time Presidential appointee may not receive any outside earned income, no matter what the source. Certain other political appointees are limited as to the amount of outside earned income they may receive. Remember that this rule applies to earned income (income received in exchange for personal services) but not to passive investment income.

There are also restrictions that apply if you practice a profession involving a fiduciary relationship, such as medicine or accounting. You may not be paid for such services and you may not allow your name to be used by an entity that provides such services. For example, if you are leaving a law firm that uses your name in its title, the firm must change its name when you come to the Government.

You also may need prior approval from your agency for outside employment.

May I be paid for outside teaching, speaking or writing?
For those Presidential appointees who are not subject to the total ban on outside earned income, there are rules relating to paid teaching, speaking, and writing. Subject to certain exceptions, outside compensation is prohibited for teaching, speaking, or writing that relates to your official duties. Usually, teaching, speaking, or writing relates to your duties if you are invited to participate because of your official position rather than your expertise, or if the subject of your activity deals with your agency's programs, operations, or policies. It is best to speak with your agency ethics official to determine how these rules apply to you.

What about fundraising for a nonprofit organization?
If you are fundraising for a nonprofit organization in your personal capacity, there are certain guidelines you need to follow. You may not solicit funds from a subordinate or a prohibited source and you may not use your official title to further your fundraising efforts.

Is it all right for me to represent someone in a matter before the Government?
There are Federal criminal statutes that prohibit you from representing someone else in a matter before the Government, whether or not you are paid, if the United States is a party or has a substantial interest in the matter. In addition, you may not receive compensation for assisting in a claim against the United States. These laws also prohibit you from sharing in compensation for representations made before the Government while you are a Government employee, even if they are made by someone else.

There are important exceptions to these prohibitions, one of which permits you to represent yourself and certain of your relatives.



Guidance From The Office of Government Ethics:
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