Employee Responsibility and Conduct

25 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart O
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

25 C.F.R. § 700.501 Statement of purpose.

This part prescribes appropriate standards of conduct and responsibilites, financial disclosure reports, and rules of ethics in the conduct of Government business that are mandatory for all who serve with the Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Commission, and in order to implement the requirements of law, Executive Order 11222 and 5 CFR part 905. The rules promulgated by the Commission as essential to agency operations are in addition to the criminal laws and other laws governing conduct of Federal employees. Like the laws, they will be strictly interpreted and firmly enforced. Ignorance of these rules or laxity in observance or enforcement of them will not be condoned. They are the prime responsibility of all Commission personnel.

25 C.F.R. § 700.503 Definitions.

(a) Special Government Employee: An officer or employee who has been employed to perform temporary duties, with or without compensation, for not more than 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days, either on a full-time or intermittent basis (18 U.S.C. 202(a)). (b) Employee: Any officer or employee of the Commission who is not a special government employee. (c) Commission personnel: All officers and employees of the Commission, including special Government employees. (d) Persons: An individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, or any other organization or institution. (e) Gratuity: Any gift, honorarium, favor, entertainment, hospitality, transportation, loan, or any other tangible thing, and any other intangible benefit (i.e., discounts) given to or on behalf of Commission employees or their spouses or dependent children for which fair market value is not paid by the recipient or by the Government.

25 C.F.R. § 700.505 Coverage.

The regulations contained in this part apply to all Commission personnel. Exceptions applicable to special Government employees and members of the Senior Executive Service are noted in the body of this part.

25 C.F.R. § 700.507 Responsibilities.

(a) Office of the Commission and Office of Executive Direction. (1) The Chairman of the Commission shall prepare and submit to the Office of Personnel Management for approval, standards of employee conduct which implement requirements of law, Executive Order 11222 and provisions of 5 CFR part 905; and prescribe additional standards of ethical and other conduct and reporting requirements that are appropriate to the agency. After OPM approval, the Chairman shall submit the agency's regulations to the Federal Register for publication. These requirements also apply to any amendments to agency regulations. (2) The Commissioners shall appoint a Designated Agency Ethics Official and Deputy Ethics Official in accordance with 5 CFR 738.202(b). Responsibilities of these officials are described below in § 735.15. (3) The Executive Director shall ensure that the regulations published under this part are disseminated to all Commission personnel and that staff are familiar with and understand the standards of conduct and statutes governing conflicts of interest and post Federal employment restrictions. (4) The Executive Director shall ensure that disciplinary or remedial action is taken in the case of all agency personnel who violate these standards or related laws and regulations, and against supervisors who fail to carry out their responsibilities in taking disciplinary or remedial action in such cases. (b) Managers and supervisors. Managers and supervisors shall ensure that all Commission personnel under their supervision are familiar with and understand these regulations governing standards of conduct, conflict of interest, and referenced statutory restrictions, and adhere to them at all times. Issues and problems which cannot be resolved through the discussion process inherent in the supervisor-employee relationship shall be referred to the Designated Agency Ethics Official. Managers and supervisors shall ensure that disciplinary or remedial action is taken with all agency personnel who violate these regulations, and against subordinate supervisors who fail to carry out their responsibilities for effecting or recommending disciplinary or remedial action in these cases. (c) Employees. All Commission personnel shall be familiar with the standards of conduct governed in this directive and the laws governing conflicts of interest and post employment restrictions, and shall comply with them. When in doubt as to the permissibility of an action under the terms of this directive, the employee shall not act without first consulting the immediate supervisor and as appropriate seeking the advice of the Designated Agency Ethics Official. (d) Office of Management Operations. (1) The Office of Management Operations shall give each employee a copy of these regulations and shall conduct an oral briefing on their contents, within 30 days of approval. New personnel shall receive a copy and oral briefing promptly upon assuming their duties. Additions and amendments shall be similarly communicated upon approval. (2) The Office shall conduct annual review sessions of these standards for all personnel. (3) The Office shall provide the Designated Agency Ethics Official with necessary administrative and clerical staff support.

25 C.F.R. § 700.509 Duties of the designated agency ethics official.

The Designated Agency Ethics Official shall coordinate and manage the agency's ethics program. The Deputy Ethics Official shall serve as alternate Agency Ethics Official in the absence of the Designated Agency Ethics Official, or upon his or her express delegation. Specific duties of the Officer include: (a) Liaison with Office of Government Ethics (OGE). The Designated Agency Ethics Official shall establish and maintain close working relations with the OGE, and shall coordinate communications between the Commission and OGE through the Agency Liaison Division and Office of Ethics of the General Services Administration. If the Designated Agency Ethics Official receives a request which he or she believes should be answered by the Office of Government Ethics, a referral procedure is available. Requests for advisory opinions shall be submitted as specified in 5 CFR 738.304. The Designated Agency Ethics Official shall provide the OGE with records, reports and any other information which may be required under the Ethics in Government Act (Pub. L. 95-521, as amended) or requested by the OGE. (b) Review of statements. The Designated Agency Ethics Official shall review the statements of employment and financial interest submitted by agency personnel assessing the application of conflict of interest laws and regulations to the information reported. When the review discloses a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between the private interests of an employee and the performance of his or her duties as a Commission employee, the Designated Agency Ethics Official shall bring the conflict to the attention of the employee, grant the individual an opportunity to explain the conflict, and attempt to resolve it. If the conflict is not resolved at this point, the Designated Agency Ethics Official shall forward a written report on the conflict to the Chairman of the Commission recommending appropriate action. In developing the recommendation the Designated Agency Ethics Official may consult, as appropriate, with the agency General Counsel and the GSA Ethics Office. (c) Education and counseling program. The Designated Agency Ethics Official shall design and conduct an education and counseling program for supervisors and employees on all ethics and standards of conduct matters, including post-employment matters. Records shall be kept as appropriate on the advice rendered. (d) Administrative systems review. The Designated Agency Ethics Official shall ensure that these regulations and implementing administrative systems are evaluated annually to determine their adequacy and effectiveness in relation to current agency responsibilities. Amendments shall be developed and approved pursuant to the results of systems review.

25 C.F.R. § 700.511 Statements of employment and financial interests.

(a) Employees required to file statements. (1) Members of the Commission shall submit Financial Disclosure Reports (SF-278) to the Deputy Ethics Counselor of the Department of Interior, according to instructions received from that office. Issues of real or apparent conflict of interest which involve employees of the Senior Executive Service shall be resolved by the Ethics Officer of the Department of the Interior. (2) The Designated Agency Ethics Official shall submit SF-278 to the Office of Government Ethics for review. (3) The employee appointed as Deputy Ethics Official and incumbents of the positions listed below shall file NHIRC form 738.1F with the Designated Agency Ethics Official: (i) Executive Director. (ii) General Counsel. (iii) Assistant Director for Management Operations. (iv) Assistant Director for Relocation Operations. (v) Chief, Technical Services Division. (vi) Chief, Realty Division. (vii) Chief, Advisory Services Division. (viii) Chief, Office of Research, Planning and Evaluation. (ix) Procurement/Fiscal Officer. (x) Realty Specialists. (xi) Construction Inspectors. (4) The Designated Agency Ethics Official may require Statements of Employment and Financial Interest from employees in other specified positions, if analysis of duties and responsibilities shows the positions meet the criteria listed in paragraph (b) of this section. (5) Special Government Employees shall file NHIRC form 738.2F with the Designated Agency Ethics Official prior to beginning employment or service with the Commission. The Designated Agency Ethics Official may waive this requirement if the duties of the position held by the special Government employee are of a nature or at such a level of responsibility that the submission of the statement by the incumbent is not necessary to protect the integrity of the Commission or the Government. (b) Criteria for selection of positions subject to filing requirements. The following criteria govern selection of employees who must also file statements of Employment and Financial Interest (NHIRC Form 738.1F) with the Designated Agency Ethics Official. (1) Statements of Employment and Financial Interest shall be required of employees holding positions which are responsible for: (i) Contracting or procurement. (ii) Administering or monitoring grants and subcontracts. (iii) Other activities where the decision or action has an economic impact on the interests of any person or non-Federal enterprise. (2) When a new position is established or the duties of an existing position are materially changed, the position shall be evaluated pursuant to the criteria of this section to determine whether or not it should be designated as one requiring the incumbent to submit a Statement of Employment and Financial Interests. (c) Interests of relatives. The interest of a spouse, minor child, or other member of an employee's immediate household is considered to be an interest of the employee. Reports must include but are not limited to identification of such an individual's employer, financial holdings and debts. These provisions also apply to special Government employees. (d) Employee complaint against filing requirements. An employee who believes that his or her position has been improperly included among those requiring the submission of a Statement of Employment and Financial Interests may obtain review through the Commission's administrative grievance procedure. (e) Procedures for obtaining statements. Following approval of these regulations, the Designated Agency Ethics Official shall give each employee and special Government employee required to file under this part, a copy of the appropriate NHIRC form. An enclosure with the form shall advise that: (1) The completed form shall be returned in a sealed envelope marked “personal-in confidence” to the Designated Agency Ethics Official within 30 days. (2) The services of the Designated Agency Ethics Official are available to assist and advise in preparation of the statement. (3) Any additions or deletions to the information furnished must be reported within 30 days of the time they occur, or in the case of a special Government employee, at the time the change occurs, and (4) No later than June 1 of each year all employees and special Government employees required to file under paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall file an annual supplementary statement to update the information previously filed. (5) New employees required to file under paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall submit a statement within 30 days of beginning employment with the Commission. (e) Confidentiality of statements. Statements of employment and financial interest shall be held in confidence. Access to information from the statements shall not be disclosed except to carry out the purpose of this directive. (f) Resolving conflicts of interest. When the Designated Agency Ethics Official determines from review of the statement that a conflict of interest may exist, the submitter shall have the opportunity to provide additional information, which shall become part of the record. The Designated Agency Ethics Official and the concerned employee shall make every effort to resolve the conflict in a manner that is mutually acceptable. If these efforts are not successful the Designated Agency Ethics Official shall forward a report and recommendation to the Chairman of the Commission for final action. Remedial action directed by the Chairman may include but is not limited to: (1) Disqualification for a particular assignment. (2) Change in assigned duties. (3) Divestment of the employee or special Government employee of the conflicting interests. (4) Disciplinary action, including removal.

25 C.F.R. § 700.513 Business dealings on behalf of the government.

(a) All employees shall conduct themselves on the job so as to efficiently discharge the work of the Commission. Employees shall observe courtesy, consideration and promptness in dealing with clients, other governmental agencies, and members of the public. (b) Commission personnel conducting business with contractors, realtors, vendors, service providers and other public and private agencies, organizations, business and individuals shall maintain strict impartiality in their business dealings. Commission employees shall not allow themselves to be placed in a position in which a conflict of interest might arise or might justifiably be suspected. Such a conflict may arise or appear to arise by the acceptance of gratuities or by any action which could reasonably be interpreted as influencing the strict impartiality that must prevail in all business relationships involving the Commission. However, this requirement of impartiality is not intended to prohibit advocacy of client interests, as is required as a stated duty of certain agency positions. Such advocacy may occur for example during warrantee representation or during technical representation with builders.

25 C.F.R. § 700.515 Conflicts of interest.

(a) A conflict of interest may exist when an employee uses, or appears to use, his or her official position to obtain benefits for himself or herself, close friends, relatives, or business associates. A conflict of interest may also exist if an employee's private activities interfere with the proper discharge of his or her official duties. If an employee has any doubt about whether or not a particular situation is, or gives the appearance of being a conflict of interest, the situation should be discussed with the immediate supervisor. Should further review be required, the Designated Agency Ethics Official shall be consulted. (b) Principal situations where conflict of interest may develop are regulated by the sections which follow. However, these regulations do not preclude other conflict of interest situations which may arise in connection with the work of the Commission. (c) These prohibitions apply to all Commission employees, whether or not they are required to file financial and employment disclosure statements.

25 C.F.R. § 700.517 Affiliations and financial interests.

(a) Commission personnel shall not engage in any personal, business, or professional activity, or receive or retain any direct or indirect financial interest, which places them in a position of conflict or apparent conflict between their private interests and the public interests of the United States as related to the duties of their Commission positions. (b) Employees are prohibited from accepting money, goods or services other than official compensation for any act performed by the employee as part of his or her official duties. (c) Commission personnel shall not use, directly or indirectly, inside information for private gain for themselves, family members, or others if that information is not generally available to the public and was obtained as a result of Commission employment. (d) Commission personnel are prohibited from using their official positions to induce, coerce, or in any manner influence any person, including subordinates, to provide any improper benefit, financial or otherwise, to themselves or others. (e) Employees may not have any personal interest in transactions which are directed, regulated, or effected by the Commission pursuant to the authorities vested in the agency by Pub. L. 93-531 and Pub. L. 96-395. Specifically: (1) No Commission employee shall have a personal interest in a contract, subcontract, memorandum of understanding or agreement, or other arrangement resulting in payment for the delivery of goods, services, or supplies to the Commission, to the Navajo or Hopi tribal governments, or to individual relocatees or groups of relocatees. (2) No Commission employee shall have or seek an interest in real or personal property acquired for transfer to the Navajo or Hopi Tribes. (3) No Commission employee shall have or seek an interest in any activity supported financially by the Commission through the award of Discretionary Funds. (4) During the process of acquiring replacement housing for relocatees no employee may have a personal interest in the activities of a contractor, realtor, or other business entity selected by the relocatee to furnish replacement housing; nor may the employee influence the relocatee to select any realtor, contractor or other business entity with which the employee has personal or business affiliations. (5) Nothing in this section shall restrict a relocatee's right to exercise free and independent judgment in selecting a realtor, contractor, or other vendor or service provider; regardless of any personal or business relationship of that entity to a Commission employee, provided the employee has not influenced the choice of the relocatee in any manner. (6) Nothing in this section shall restrict a Commission employee who is eligible for relocation benefits from applying for and obtaining such benefits according to published criteria; nor to prevent the Commission from employing a member of the Hopi or Navajo Tribe who has been, or is in the process, of being relocated pursuant to the law. (7) Commission employees shall disqualify themselves from investigating and preparing recommendations regarding eligibility determination for applicants to whom they are closely related by blood or marriage.

25 C.F.R. § 700.519 Gifts, entertainment and favors.

(a) Acceptance of gratuities, including gifts, entertainment and favors, (no matter how innocently tendered or received) from those who have or seek business dealings with the Commission, is prohibited as it may be a source of embarrassment to the recipient, and may impair public confidence in the integrity of the conduct of the Government's business. It is emphasized that prohibited conflicts and apparent conficts of interest can sometimes arise even from relationships and transactions that the persons concerned perceive as inconsequential. (b) Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, Commission personnel and their spouses, minor children and members of their households shall not solicit nor accept, either directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment loan or any other thing of monetary value from any person who: (1) Has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or financial relations with the Commission, (2) Conducts operations or activities that are regulated by the Commission or significantly affected by Commission decisions, or (3) Has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or non-performance of the employee's official duty. (c) Employees are specifically prohibited from accepting gifts or favors from vendors, contractors, builders, realtors, tribal officials or other individuals with whom Commission employees do business. This prohibition extends to the acceptance of meals and refreshments offered by individuals conducting or seeking business with the Commission whether during duty or non-duty hours. (d) The following circumstances are excepted from the prohibitions listed above: (1) An employee may accept unsolicited advertising or promotional material with the name of the company imprinted, such as pencils, calendars and similar items of nominal intrinsic value. (2) An employee may accept transportation and meals provided by a contractor in connection with official business when arrangements for Government or commercial transportation or meals are clearly impracticable and the supervisor has granted prior approval. (3) An employee may accept an invitation extended by a relocatee to attend a housewarming, potluck, accept a meal and refreshments while traveling on the reservation, or similar social activity when circumstances would make it rude for the employee to refuse. (4) Other circumstances may arise in which it would be to the Commission's advantage for an employee to participate in activities ordinarily prohibited. In such cases, the employee shall consult with his or her supervisor about the course of action to be followed. If prior consultation is not possible, the employee shall exercise prudent judgement and promptly inform the supervisor of the activity.

25 C.F.R. § 700.521 Outside work and interests.

Commission employees may engage in outside work or other activity which does not create a conflict between the employee's private interests and official duties nor prevent employees from devoting their talents and energies to the Commission. An employee's outside work shall not reflect discredit upon the Commission. (a) Employees engaged in or considering outside employment shall inform their supervisor of the work, and supply such additional details as may be required to determine whether the employment is compatible with the full and proper discharge of the employee's official duties. (b) Similarly, employees shall inform the supervisor and request approval of other types of outside activities which may present an actual or apparent conflict of interest between the employees' official duties and their private lives. The supervisor shall determine if the outside employment or activity is prohibited by these regulations, and so inform the employee. The Designated Agency Ethics Official is available to assist supervisors in making such determinations. (c) Guidelines and limitations. Outside employment or other outside activity is incompatible with the full and proper discharge of an employee's duties and responsibilities and hence is prohibited if: (1) It would involve the violation of a Federal or State statute, a local ordinance, Executive Order, or regulation to which the employee is subject. (2) It would be of such extent or nature as to interfere with the efficient performance of the employee's Government duties, or impair the employee's mental or physical capacity to perform them in an acceptable manner. (3) It would tend to influence the exercise or impartial judgement on any matters coming before the employee in the course of his or her duties; (4) It would involve work for contractors, subcontractors, realtors, tribal offices, clients or other entities and individuals which have business with or receive services from the Commission or conduct activities which are regulated by the Commission. (5) Involves a person or enterprise that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's official duties. (6) It involves the use of the employee's time during official working hours. (7) It involves the receipt of salary or anything of monetary value from a private source as compensation for services to the Government. (8) It involves acceptance of a fee, compensation, gift, payment of expense, or any other thing of monetary value under circumstances in which acceptance might result in, or create the appearance of, a conflict of interest. (9) It would be of a nature which might be construed by the general public to be an official act of the Commission, or would give the impression that a business or product which is involved in the relocation project is officially endorsed or approved by the Commission. (10) It would involve use by the employee of official facilities, e.g., office space, office machines, or supplies, or the services of other employees during duty hours. (11) It might bring discredit upon, or cause unfavorable criticism of, the Government or the Commission or lead to relationships which might impair public confidence in the integrity of the Government or the Commission. (12) It would involve the use of information obtained as a result of Government employment that is not freely available to the general public in that it either has not been made available to the general public or would not be made available upon request.

25 C.F.R. § 700.523 Business relationships among employees.

Business relationships among Commission employees which take place after working hours and away from Commission premises are not matters for regulation, unless they violate the restrictions listed above.

25 C.F.R. § 700.525 Use of government information or expertise.

(a) Commission personnel may engage in teaching, lecturing and writing about the relocation program, provided the Information which they present is public knowledge or would be made available to the public upon request. (b) Employees shall inform their supervisors in advance of any teaching, writing, or lecturing activity which relates to the Commission operations. The Commissioners may at their discretion exercise the right of review and approval of materials to be presented. (c) Employees must obtain supervisory approval for release of information considered confidential, and release of information not previously published as public information. (d) Disclosure of information from records shall conform with the provisions of the Freedom of information and the Privacy Acts (5 U.S.C. 552). An employee may not release confidential information maintained by the Commission and available to the employee because of his position as an employee of the Commission. Violation of this prohibition may result in prosecution under the terms of the Privacy Act in addition to any disciplinary penalties levied by the employee's supervisor. (e) Commission personnel may not accept compensation for an article, speech, consultant service, or other activity if it involves the use of information obtained as the result of Government employment which is not available to the general public as described in paragraph (a) of this section, or results in an actual or appearance of conflict of interest. (f) Unless there is a definite Commission position on a matter which is the subject of an employee's writing or speech, and the individual has been authorized by the Commissioners to present that position officially, the employee shall expressly present his or her views on the matter as his or her own and not as those of the Commission. (g) The right of an employee to express personal opinions is respected. However, once the Commission has established policy and procedure, every employee is obligated to carry out all lawful regulations, orders, and assignments, and to support the programs of the Commission as long as they are part of recognized public policy. (h) In dealing with the public and with relocatees, employees should avoid issuing opinions or decisions contrary to Commission policy which can be mistaken as official Commission policy.

25 C.F.R. § 700.527 Endorsements.

Employees are prohibited from endorsing in an official capacity business products or processes or the services of commercial firms for advertising publicity or sale purposes. Use of materials, products or services, by the Commission does not constitute official endorsement. Employees may not recommend for or against any particular builder, supplier, realtor, contractor or other person or business seeking to sell any product or service to relocatees.

25 C.F.R. § 700.529 Negotiations for employment.

An employee shall inform the supervisor and seek the advice of the Designated Agency Ethics Official if he or she wishes to negotiate for future non-Federal employment with persons or organizations having business with the Commission if the employee is involved in making recommendations or decisions affecting those persons or organizations.

25 C.F.R. § 700.531 Government property.

Employees shall be held accountable for Government property and monies entrusted to their individual use or in connection with their official duties. An employee has a positive duty to protect and conserve Government property and to use it economically and for official purposes only, for example: (a) Only official documents and materials may be reproduced on Government reproduction equipment. (b) Government vehicles may be used only on official business and may not be used for personal use or for travel to or from an employee's place of residence, unless specifically authorized or assigned by the supervisor. (c) An employee may not use FTS to make personal phone calls at Government expense. (d) An employee may not use Government purchase authority for personal acquisitions even though reimbursement is made.

25 C.F.R. § 700.533 Restrictions affecting travel and travel expense reimbursement.

(a) When an employee is on officially authorized travel his or her expenses are reimbursed by the Government. The employee may not request nor accept reimbursement in cash or kind for travel expenses from any other source, even when the employee's expenses exceed the maximum Government allowance. (b) An employee who is authorized to attend a convention, seminar, or similar meeting while on official duty, whose travel is being paid by the sponsoring association, may not also claim travel expenses from the Government. (c) An employee may accept accommodations and expense reimbursement for attending meetings, functions, etc. in his or her private capacity and on his or her own time, provided that such acceptance does not produce an actual or apparent conflict of interest. This restriction prohibits an employee from accepting accommodations or reimbursement from anyone having or seeking business with the Commission. (d) Commission employees traveling on official business, as well as employees traveling on personal business, may not accept the use of private airplanes, cars, or other means of transportation offered at no expense by individuals conducting or seeking business dealings with the Commission, nor from clients of the Commission. Exception: An employee may accept transportation and meals of modest value provided by a contractor or client in connection with official business when it is not practical to make arrangements for Government or commercial accommodations. The employee must receive prior approval of the supervisor in such case. This might occur, for example, if an employee were traveling to a remote area where no Government vehicle were available, or where there are no nearby restaurants or eating places. There is no prohibition against a contractor or private citizen traveling as a passenger in a Government vehicle driven by a Commission employee on official business, provided administrative procedures have been followed in making the travel arrangements.

25 C.F.R. § 700.535 Nepotism.

An employee may not appoint or advocate the appointment to any position under his or her control, any individual who is a relative of the employee. No employee shall supervise a member of his or her own family except in emergency situations.

25 C.F.R. § 700.537 Indebtedness.

(a) Commission personnel shall pay their just financial obligations in a timely manner, especially those imposed by law, such as Federal, state, or local taxes. For the purposes of this paragraph, “just financial obligation” means one acknowledged by the employee or reduced to judgment by a court. (b) Employees shall promptly refund any salary overpayments and excess travel advances. (c) An employee's debts to private creditors are his or her personal concern. Any complaints or questions concerning such obligations will be referred to the employee for handling. Creditors and collectors shall not have access to employees on Agency premises during duty hours.

25 C.F.R. § 700.539 Soliciting contributions.

(a) An employee shall not solicit a contribution from another employee for a gift to an official superior, make a donation as a gift to an official superior or accept a gift from an employee receiving less pay than himself or herself. (5 U.S.C. 7351) However, this paragraph does not preclude a voluntary gift of nominal value made on a special occasion. (b) If authorized by the supervisor, an employee may solicit contributions for charitable causes. He or she may also be permitted to collect small donations for gifts for fellow employees for special occasions during slack moments.

25 C.F.R. § 700.541 Fraud or false statement in a Government matter.

“Whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States, knowingly or wilfully falsifies, conceals or covers up by a trick, scheme or device a material fact, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than 5 years or both (18 U.S.C. 1001).” Special attention is required in the certification of time and attendance reports, applications for employment, personnel security forms, requests for travel reimbursement, client certification documents, and purchase orders and receiving forms.

25 C.F.R. § 700.543 Gambling.

An employee shall not sponsor or participate in any gambling activity during working hours on Government premises.

25 C.F.R. § 700.545 Alcoholism and drug abuse.

An employee who habitually uses intoxicants to excess is subject to removal (5 U.S.C. 7352). The Relocation Commission recognizes alcoholism and drug abuse as serious and treatable illnesses. Excessive absence and poor work performance are two of the specific problems resulting from excessive use of alcohol and drugs. The Commission management will assist any employee who has such a problem to obtain professional help and will make reasonable allowance as permitted by work schedules to allow an employee approved leave for professional treatment. Anyone who seeks such assistance will be guaranteed confidential handling of his or her case. Disciplinary action will be considered if an employee rejects or ignores treatment or other appropriate assistance.

25 C.F.R. § 700.547 Consuming intoxicants on Government premises or during duty hours.

Consuming alcohol or non-prescription drugs on agency premises, or while driving or riding in a Government vehicle, or during working hours are prohibited conduct and employees violating this regulation are subject to disciplinary action, including discharge.

25 C.F.R. § 700.549 Employee organizations.

An employee may not knowingly be a member of an organization of Government employees that advocates the overthrow of the United States' constitutional form of government (5 U.S.C. 7311). Employees are also prohibited from striking against the Federal Government. With these restrictions, an employee has the right to form, join, or assist lawful employee organizations. Similarly, an employee has also the right to refrain from such activity. In either case, the employee may exercise his or her right freely and without fear of penalty or reprisal and shall be protected in the exercise of such rights.

25 C.F.R. § 700.551 Franking privilege and official stationery.

An employee is strictly prohibited from using Government franked envelopes with or without applied postage, or official letterhead stationery for personal business. (18 U.S.C. 1719)

25 C.F.R. § 700.553 Use of official titles.

Employees are prohibited from using their official titles in conducting private business or participation in private or public group activities not concerned with official duties. Use is strictly limited to those occasions and circumstances where representation is official.

25 C.F.R. § 700.555 Notary services.

An employee may not charge a fee for performing notarial services as part of his or her job duties (EO 977 Nov. 24, 1908).

25 C.F.R. § 700.557 Political activity.

(a) Regulations on the political activity of Federal employees can be found in 5 U.S.C. 73. In general, the law and the rules prohibit using official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election or affecting its results, and taking an active part in partisan political management or partisan political campaigns. (b) Special Government employees of the Commission are subject to the political activity restrictions contained in 5 U.S.C. 73 and 18 U.S.C. 602, 603, 607 and 608 while on an active duty status only. (c) Pursuant to provisions of the regulations cited, employees may take part in certain local elections. However, Commission employees are restricted from taking an active role in political elections of the Navajo and Hopi tribal governments, even though such elections are not partisan in the usual meaning of the word. With respect to tribal elections, employees may not: (1) Run for tribal elective office. (2) Organize, direct, nor actively participate in a tribal electoral campaign. (3) Solicit or attempt to coerce fellow employees to contribute anything of value to an individual or group engaged in tribal political activity. (4) Circulate petitions, posters, or other political materials during working hours or on Commission premises. (5) Engage in any other type of tribal political activity which produces a conflict of interest between the employee's job responsibilities and the political activity.

25 C.F.R. § 700.559 Equal opportunity.

Commission personnel shall scrupulously adhere to the Commission program of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.

25 C.F.R. § 700.561 Sexual harassment.

(a) Sexual harassment is a form of employee misconduct which undermines the integrity of the employment relationship. All employees must be allowed to work in an environment free from unsolicited and unwelcome sexual overtures. Sexual harassment is defined by the Office of Personnel Management as “deliberate or repeated unsolicited verbal comments, gestures, or physical contact of a sexual nature which are unwelcome.” Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments. It refers to behavior which is not welcome, which is personally offensive and debilitates morale, interfering with the work effectiveness of its victims and their co-workers. (b) Sexual harassment is a prohibited personnel practice when it results in discrimination for or against an employee on the basis of conduct not related to performance. (c) Within the Federal Government, a supervisor who uses implicit or explicit coercive sexual behavior to control, influence, or affect the career, salary or job of an employee is engaging in sexual harassment. Similarly, an employee of an agency who behaves in this manner in the process of conducting agency business is engaging in sexual harassment. Finally, any employee who participates in deliberate or repeated unsolicited verbal comments, gestures, or physical contact of a sexual nature which are unwelcome and interfere with work productivity is also engaging in sexual harassment. (d) It is the policy of the Relocation Commission that sexual harassment is unacceptable conduct in the workplace and will not be condoned. An employee who believes that he or she is subject to sexual harassment may contact one or more of the following people within the Commission for assistance: (1) The immediate supervisor or second level supervisor. (2) The EEO Counselor. (3) The agency EEO Officer. (4) The EEO Counselor at the Agency Liaison Division of the General Services Administration. For example: —If submission to sexual advances is a condition of employment, whether expressed in explicit or implicit terms; —If employment decisions, such as promotion, training, salary increases, rewards, etc., are based on an employee's submission to or rejection of sexual advances; —If the sexual conduct substantially interferes with an affected person's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

25 C.F.R. § 700.563 Statutory restrictions from 18 U.S.C. 207, which are applicable to former Government employees.

(a) Restrictions applicable to all former officers and employees—(1) Permanent bar. A former Government employee is permanently barred from serving as agent or attorney for anyone other than the United States before any Government office or agency on any particular matter involving specific parties in which the former officer or employee had participated personally and substantially while with the Government. (2) Two year bar. A restriction similar to the one summarized above prevents a former employee for two years from representational activities on all particular matters which were actually pending under the former employee's “official responsibility” during the one-year period prior to the termination of such responsibility. (b) Restrictions applicable only to “senior employees.” (1) Members of the Senior Executive Service are considered senior employees. (2) Two-year ban on assisting in representation by personal presence. A former senior employee may not assist in the representation of another person by personal presence at an appearance before the Government on any particular matter in which the former employee personally and substantially participated while with the Government. (3) One-year on attempt to influence former agency. A former senior employee may not represent another person or himself in attempting to influence his own former agency on a matter pending before, or of substantial interest to, such agency. Certain communications are exempted from this provision. These include communications by former senior employees who are employed by State or local governments or by certain educational or medical institutions, other exempt communications are those that are purely social or informational, communications on matters that are personal, including any expression of personal views where the former employee has no pecuniary interest, and response to a former agency's requests for information. (c) Implementing regulations. (1) Detailed regulations implementing this law have been published by the Director, Office of Government Ethics (see 5 CFR part 737). The Designated Agency Ethics Official should be consulted for any additional information.

25 C.F.R. § 700.565 Miscellaneous statutory provisions.

Commission personnel shall acquaint themselves with Federal statutes which relate to their ethical and other conducts as employees of the Commission and of the Government. The attention of Commission personnel is directed to the following statutory provisions: (a) House Concurrent Resolution 175, 85th Congress 2d Session, 72A Stat. B12, the “Code of Ethics for Government Service.” (b) Chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, relating to bribery, graftm and conflicts of interest, as appropriate to the employees concerned. (c) The prohibition against lobbying with appropriated funds (18 U.S.C. 1913). (d) The prohibitions against disloyalty and striking (5 U.S.C. 7311, 18 U.S.C. 1918). (e) The prohibition against the employment of a member of the Communist organization (50 U.S.C. 784). (f) The prohibitions against (1) the disclosures of classified information (18 U.S.C. 798, 50 U.S.C. 783); and (2) the disclosure of confidential information (18 U.S.C. 1905). (g) The provision relating to the habitual use of intoxicants to excess (5 U.S.C. 7352). (h) The prohibition against the misuse of a Government vehicle (31 U.S.C. 638a(c)). (i) The prohibition against the misuse of the franking privilege (18 U.S.C. 1719). (j) The prohibition against the use of deceit in an examination or personnel action in connection with Government employment (18 U.S.C. 1917). (k) The prohibition against fraud or false statements in a Government matter. (l) The prohibition against mutilating or destroying a public record (18 U.S.C. 2071). (m) The prohibition against counterfeiting and forging transportation requests (18 U.S.C. 508). (n) The prohibitions against (1) embezzlement of Government money or property (18 U.S.C. 641); (2) failing to account for public money (18 U.S.C. 643); and (3) embezzlement of the money or property of another person in the possession of an employee by reason of his employment (18 U.S.C. 654). (o) The prohibition against unauthorized use of documents relating to claims from or by the Government (18 U.S.C. 285). (p) The prohibitions against political activities in subchapter III of chapter 73 of title 5, United States Code and 18 U.S.C. 602, 603, 607 and 608. (q) The prohibition against an employee acting as the agent of a foreign principal registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (18 U.S.C. 219).

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