(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.