As a federal employee you are held to standards of ethical behavior representative of a public servant. These ethical standards are outlined in Executive Order 12674, as modified by Executive Order 12731. The principles of ethical conduct are outlined below:

1. Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws, and ethical principles above private gain.
   
2. Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.
   
3. Employees shall not engage in financial transactions using nonpublic Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.
   
4. Employees shall not, except pursuant to such reasonable exceptions as are proved by regulation, solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee's agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's duties.
   
5. Employees shall put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.
   
6. Employees shall make no unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the government.
   
7. Employees shall not use public office for private gain.
   
8. Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.
   
9. Employees shall protect and conserve federal property and shall not use if for other than authorized activities.
   
10. Employees shall not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with official government duties and responsibilities.
    
11. Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.
    
12. Employees shall satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens, including all just financial obligations, especially those---such as Federal, State, or local taxes---that are imposed by law.
    
13. Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.
    
14. Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating the law or the ethical standards promulgated pursuant to this order.

You can receive a copy of the Executive Order from your local personnel office.

You will receive a copy of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch and/the Ethics Guide - For Employees of the Department of the Interior. 

These booklets explain what is expected of you as a federal employee. The booklets explain the standards of conduct on such topics as accepting gifts, outside work, gambling on government premises, testimony, political activities, and a variety of other topics that might concern you.

Department personnel administer the standards of conduct that serve all Interior employees and manage day-to-day operations of the Department's ethics program. If you have any ethics questions or concerns, contact your assistant ethics counselor (servicing personnel officer).  Click here to see a list of BLM's assistant ethics counselors.  Use your browser's [BACK] button to return to this page.