Initial Ethics Training-Handout

Handout

Pdf Summary

The Department of the Navy (DON) Initial and Annual Ethics Training is designed to enhance employee awareness and compliance with federal ethics laws and regulations. The training is structured around several key modules, including an introductory overview, gifts, financial conflicts of interest, impartiality, misuse of position, and additional resources. Each module is supplemented with a message from Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Harker, stressing the importance of ethical behavior in maintaining public trust.<br /><br />The training begins by emphasizing the significance of ethical conduct, with references to guidelines set by the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Defense Joint Ethics Regulation. These guidelines outline acceptable behavior, such as impartiality and protecting federal property, and prohibit actions like using nonpublic information for private gain.<br /><br />Regarding gifts, government employees are advised against accepting gifts from prohibited sources unless specific exceptions apply, such as the &quot;20/50&quot; rule for low-cost gifts. The training also highlights the importance of considering the ethics of accepting gifts, even when legally permissible.<br /><br />For financial conflicts of interest, the training underscores the legal prohibition on engaging in matters where there is a personal financial interest and advises employees to seek guidance when in doubt.<br /><br />The module on impartiality discusses potential appearance problems related to conflicts of interest, with a focus on maintaining separation between personal relationships and official duties.<br /><br />Misuse of position is addressed by prohibiting the use of government resources for personal benefit or allowing nonpublic information to influence private interests.<br /><br />The course also provides additional resources and legal references for further clarification, along with a final knowledge check to evaluate understanding. Successful completion is communicated through a certificate, with users encouraged to contact their local ethics counselor with any further questions.

Keywords

Navy Ethics Training

federal ethics laws

gifts regulation

financial conflicts

impartiality

misuse of position

Thomas Harker

Office of Government Ethics

Department of Defense

ethics counselor