Common Sense Common Sense EthicsEthics

Everyone who enters into Everyone who enters into public service for the public service for the

United States has a duty United States has a duty to the American people to the American people to maintain the highest to maintain the highest standards of integrity in standards of integrity in

GovernmentGovernment

Ethics According to Ethics According to WebsterWebster

The discipline dealing with what The discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral is good and bad and with moral duty and obligationduty and obligation

The set of moral principles and The set of moral principles and valuesvalues

A theory of moral valuesA theory of moral values The principles of conduct The principles of conduct

governing an individual or groupgoverning an individual or group

There’s a big difference There’s a big difference between what you have a between what you have a right to do and what is right to do and what is

right to do!right to do!

Ethical WorkplacesEthical Workplaces Leaders have integrity and serve as Leaders have integrity and serve as

examples to other employeesexamples to other employees Employees are treated in a fair and Employees are treated in a fair and

respectful mannerrespectful manner Employees perform duties focused on the Employees perform duties focused on the

values, mission and goals of the values, mission and goals of the organizationorganization

Employees understand and follow the basic Employees understand and follow the basic “do’s and don’ts” of the organization“do’s and don’ts” of the organization

The public trusts employees to conduct the The public trusts employees to conduct the business of the organization (Government) business of the organization (Government) using the highest ethical standardsusing the highest ethical standards

TIP #1TIP #1If it doesn’t feel right, If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t!!it probably isn’t!!

Tip #2Tip #2 Ask yourself what your Ask yourself what your

neighbors, friends or family neighbors, friends or family members would think. Would members would think. Would they approve of an action or they approve of an action or activity as proper and wise? activity as proper and wise?

Tip #3Tip #3 You may have to jump through You may have to jump through

some hoops. Be prepared to do some hoops. Be prepared to do the paperwork if necessary!the paperwork if necessary!

Tip #4Tip #4 If you have questions - - - ASK!!!If you have questions - - - ASK!!!

Quick Review ChecklistQuick Review Checklist TravelTravel Outside ActivitiesOutside Activities Political ActivitiesPolitical Activities LobbyingLobbying

TravelTravel All travel must be approved through All travel must be approved through

supervisory channelssupervisory channels Contributed travel from non-Contributed travel from non-

Federal sources approved based on Federal sources approved based on conflict of interest considerationsconflict of interest considerations

Foreign travel – start the process Foreign travel – start the process early!early!

Travel for non-scientists is Travel for non-scientists is approved on case by case basis approved on case by case basis

Outside ActivitiesOutside Activities Can be conducted as part of official Can be conducted as part of official

duties or in personal capacityduties or in personal capacity Approval must be obtained for public Approval must be obtained for public

and confidential financial disclosure and confidential financial disclosure filersfilers

Outside activities include participation Outside activities include participation in professional societies (editors, in professional societies (editors, officers, etc.), university positions officers, etc.), university positions (adjunct professor, etc.), and private (adjunct professor, etc.), and private business venturesbusiness ventures

Political ActivitiesPolitical Activities Employee may be candidate for public Employee may be candidate for public

office in nonpartisan electionsoffice in nonpartisan elections May join and be an active member of a May join and be an active member of a

political party or clubpolitical party or club May assist in voter registration drivesMay assist in voter registration drives May contribute money to political May contribute money to political

organizationsorganizations May attend political fundraising functionsMay attend political fundraising functions May express opinions about candidates May express opinions about candidates

and issuesand issues

Employee may not Employee may not engage in political engage in political

activity while -activity while - On dutyOn duty In a government office In a government office Using a government vehicleUsing a government vehicle

LobbyingLobbying Lobbying is not an official duty!!Lobbying is not an official duty!! Lobbying on Government time Lobbying on Government time

and/or using Government and/or using Government resources is prohibitedresources is prohibited

Use of Government appropriated Use of Government appropriated funds for lobbying is prohibited funds for lobbying is prohibited by lawby law

ARS Code of Scientific ARS Code of Scientific EthicsEthics

I dedicate myself to the pursuit and I dedicate myself to the pursuit and promotion of beneficial scientific promotion of beneficial scientific investigation, consistent with the mission of investigation, consistent with the mission of ARS.ARS.

I will never hinder the beneficial research of I will never hinder the beneficial research of others.others.

I will conduct, discuss, manage, judge and I will conduct, discuss, manage, judge and report science honestly, thoroughly, and report science honestly, thoroughly, and without conflict of interest.without conflict of interest.

I will encourage constructive critique of my I will encourage constructive critique of my personal science and that of my colleagues, in personal science and that of my colleagues, in a manner that fosters harmony and quality a manner that fosters harmony and quality amid scientific debate.amid scientific debate.

ARS Code of Scientific ARS Code of Scientific Ethics, cont.Ethics, cont.

I recognize past and present contributors I recognize past and present contributors to my science and will not accept to my science and will not accept unwarranted credit for the unwarranted credit for the accomplishment of others.accomplishment of others.

I will maintain and improve my I will maintain and improve my professional skills and be a mentor to professional skills and be a mentor to others.others.

I will ensure safety and humane treatment I will ensure safety and humane treatment of human and animal subjects and will of human and animal subjects and will prevent abuse of research resources prevent abuse of research resources entrusted to me.entrusted to me.

ContactsContacts Northern Plains Area – Larry Northern Plains Area – Larry

Chandler; 970-492-7058; Chandler; 970-492-7058; larry.chandler@ars.usda.govlarry.chandler@ars.usda.gov

Northern Plains Area – Louise Northern Plains Area – Louise Dalton; 970-492-7058; Dalton; 970-492-7058; louise.dalton@ars.usda.govlouise.dalton@ars.usda.gov

ARS – Sue Mutchler; 301-504-1442; ARS – Sue Mutchler; 301-504-1442; smutchler@ars.usda.smutchler@ars.usda.govgov

www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/ethics/index.www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/ethics/index.htmhtm