(a) An employee's conduct on the job is, in all respects, of concern to the Federal Government. Courtesy, consideration, and promptness in dealing with the public must be shown in carrying out official responsibilities, and actions that deny the dignity of individuals or conduct that is disrespectful to others must be avoided. Employees must recognize that inattention to matters of common courtesy can adversely affect the quality of service the Department is responsible for providing. Where appropriate, courtesy to the public should be included in the standards for evaluating employee performance.

(b) Of equal importance is the requirement that courtesy be shown in day-by-day interaction with co-workers. Employees must be polite to and considerate of other employees and must respect their needs and concerns in the work environment.

(a) When a Department program is based on law, Executive order, or regulation, every employee has a positive obligation to make the program function as efficiently and economically as possible and to support it as long as it is a part of recognized public policy. An employee may, therefore, properly make an address explaining a Department program, citing its achievements, defending it against uninformed or unjust criticism, or soliciting views for improving it.

(b) An employee must not, either directly or indirectly, use appropriated funds to initiate or support grassroots lobbying efforts aimed at influencing constituents to urge a Member of Congress to favor or oppose pending legislation, subject to such exceptions as are recognized to 18 U.S.C. 1913 or similar appropriation riders. This requirement does not apply to the official handling, through the proper channels, of matters relating to legislation in which the Department has an interest. Moreover, when authorized by an employee's supervisor, an employee is not prohibited from:

(1) Testifying, on request, as a representative of the Department on pending legislation or proposals before congressional committees; or

(2) Assisting congressional committees in drafting bills or reports on request, when it is clear that the employee is serving solely as a technical expert under the direction of committee leadership.

(c) All employees must be familiar with regulations and published instructions that relate to their official duties and responsibilities and must comply with those directives. This includes carrying out proper orders from officials authorized to give them.

(d) Employees are required to assist the Inspector General and other HHS investigative officials in the performance of their duties and functions. This requirement includes providing statements and evidence to investigators of the Inspector General or other HHS investigators authorized to conduct investigations into potential violations.

(e) In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 7211,employees,individually,may,when,funds,or.

(a) An employee must not:

(1) Improperly use official travel;

(2) Improperly use payroll and other vouchers and documents on which Government payments are based;

(3) Take or fail to account for funds with which the employee is entrusted in the employee's official position; or

(4) Take other Government funds for personal use.

Violations of these prohibitions carry criminal penalties.

(b) In addition, employees must avoid wasteful actions or behavior in the performance of their assigned duties.

(a) An employee must not directly or indirectly use, or allow the use of, Government property of any kind, including property leased to the Government, for other than officially approved activities or authorized purposes. An employee to whom Government property has been entrusted or issued, including equipment, supplies, and other property, has a positive duty to protect and conserve these public assets.

(b) Employees may have limited personal use of HHS information and information technology resources, including HHS email, systems, instant messaging tools, and Government-furnished equipment (e.g., laptops and mobile devices) only when the personal use will:

(1) Involve no more than minimal additional expense to the Government;

(2) Be minimally disruptive to personnel productivity;

(3) Not interfere with the mission or operations of the Department;

(4) Not violate the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Hatch Act, or other applicable law or regulation; and

(5) Comport with all applicable HHS directives and policies governing the use of information technology, including, but not limited to, the following Departmental issuance: HHS Rules of Behavior for the Use of HHS Information and IT Resources Policy or its successive iteration in effect at the time of the use.

(c) Employees may drive or use Government passenger motor vehicles or aircraft only on official business. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1349(b), the use of a passenger motor vehicle or aircraft owned or leased by the Government for non-official purposes may result in suspension for at least one month or removal from the Federal service.

(a) While on Government-owned or Government-leased property or on duty for the Government, an employee must not conduct or participate in any gambling activity, including operating a gambling device, conducting a lottery or pool, participating in a game for money or property, or selling or purchasing a numbers slip or ticket.

(b) An employee must not, while in or on Government-owned or Government-leased property or while on duty for the Government, solicit alms (including money and non-monetary items) and contributions, engage in commercial soliciting and vending, display or distribute commercial advertisements, or collect private debts.

(c) The prohibitions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section do not preclude:

(1) Activities necessitated by an employee's law enforcement duties;

(2) Participation in federally sponsored fundraising activities conducted pursuant to 5 CFR part 950, or similar HHS-approved activities; or

(3) Buying a lottery ticket at an authorized State lottery outlet for a lottery authorized by State law and conducted by an agency of a State within that State.

(d) The General Services Administration's Federal Management Regulations on “Conduct on Federal Property,” codified under 41 CFR part 102-74, subpart C, apply to all property under the control of the General Services Administration, and those regulations are also applicable to all buildings and space under the control of this Department. The General Services Administration regulations prohibit, among other things, gambling, being intoxicated, and possession, distribution, or use of narcotic or dangerous drugs on the premises.

Employees must avoid any action, irrespective of whether it is specifically prohibited by this part, that might result in or create the appearance of:

(a) Impeding Government efficiency or economy; or

(b) Making a Government decision outside of official channels.