Ethics Awareness for Government Employees

Picture this: An employee working for the Environmental Protection Agency is up at a podium, welcoming participants to the agency’s panel on how to protect the environment through eliminating plastic waste. And right as they wrap up, they say to vote for a political candidate in the next election.

That employee soon finds themselves on the receiving end of a substantial federal fine. Why? Because they engaged in unethical conduct and violated the Hatch Act. In this course, we’ll discuss how federal employees are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical fashion. You’ll learn about the foundational principles of federal ethics and the key statutes that guide decision-making to stay in line with these ethics. We’ll explore the intricacies of ethical dilemmas, what conflicts of interest look like, and why it’s important to comply with labor laws and avoid accepting gifts. The course also covers practical strategies for recruitment and developing ethics training programs. By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to uphold the highest ethical standards in your federal workplace, ensuring integrity and public trust.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the key statutes that guide federal ethics
• Explain the consequences of failing to comply with ethics standards
• Recognize what unethical conduct looks like and how to avoid it