- Marches, petitions, pledges, etc. Q&A (updated April 3, 2017)
1) May USGS employees participate in marches, petitions, pledges, etc.?
Yes, employees may participate inmarches, petitions, pledges, etc.in their personal (unofficial) capacities and on their own time. Employees are not authorized to participate insuch activities in their official capacities or on official time.
Employees may not use their USGS affiliation in connection withmarches, petitions, pledges, etc.(e.g.,registering to attend, signing documents, donating funds, etc.)since this would imply USGS endorsement ofsuch activities.
USGS employees who hold adjunct or affiliate status with a university or research institute due to their USGS position may not use that affiliation in connection with such activities.
2) May USGS employees discuss their own participationinmarches, petitions, pledges, etc.in the workplace?
Yes, employees may discuss their own unofficial participationinmarches, petitions, pledges, etc.,in their workplace,so long as the activity does not violate the Hatch Act.
The Hatch Act prohibits activity that isdirected toward the success or failure of a candidate for partisan political office, apolitical party or a partisan political group,while on duty, ORin any U.S. government room or building, ORwhile wearing a uniform or official insignia, ORwhileusing any vehicle owned or leased by the government.
Supervisors and managers should neitherencouragenor discouragetheir employees' from participating in an unofficial capacity in activities that do not violate the Hatch Act.
Information on the Hatch Act is available at the Office of Special Counsel website and at the USGS Ethics Office website <
3) May USGS employees use USGS e-mail in conjunction withmarches, petitions, pledges, etc.?
No, use of USGS e-mail (orUSGS e-mail addresses) could imply USGS endorsement ofsuch activities.
In accordance with the DOI Limited Personal Use of Government Equipment policy at410 DM 2, employees may not use USGS e-mail (or Government office equipment)to:
a)personally endorse any product or service;
b)participate in any outside fund-raising activity;
c)engage in improper lobbying activity; or
d)engage in political activitiesprohibited by the Hatch Act.
In accordance with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,5 C.F.R. 2635.702:
An employee shall not use his public office for his own private gain, for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity, including nonprofit organizations of which the employee is an officer or member, and persons with whom the employee has or seeks employment or business relations.
(a)Inducement or coercion of benefits.An employee shall not use or permit the use of his Government position or title or any authority associated with his public office in a manner that is intended to coerce or induce another person, including a subordinate, to provide any benefit, financial or otherwise, to himself or to friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity.
(b)Appearance of governmental sanction.Except as otherwise provided in this part, an employee shall not use or permit the use of his Government position or title or any authority associated with his public office in a manner that could reasonably be construed to imply that his agency or the Government sanctions or endorses his personal activities or those of another.
(c)Endorsements.An employee shall not use or permit the use of his Government position or title or any authority associated with his public office to endorse any product, service or enterprise except(1) In furtherance of statutory authority to promote products, services or enterprises; or(2) As a result of documentation of compliance with agency requirements or standards or as the result of recognition for achievement given under an agency program of recognition for accomplishment in support of the agency's mission.
The anti-lobbying statute (18 U.S.Code§ 1913)prohibits lobbying using appropriated funds, official Government time or Government resources for activities that are directly or indirectly intended or designed to lobby or influence in any manner a Member of Congress, a jurisdiction, or an official of any government, to favor, adopt, or oppose, by vote or otherwise, any legislation, law, ratification, policy, or appropriation.
This means employees may not use Government time or resources to lobby Federal, State or local legislators, except through official channels.
Employees have the ability (and right) to contact their elected representatives in their personal capacities and as a constituents, but employees need to make it clear they are contacting them in r personal capacity. Employees must use personal e-mail accounts (i.e., not their USGSe-mail addressesor universitye-mail addressesprovidedto them due to their USGS-based adjunct or affiliate status).
4) May USGS employees wear items with the USGS logowhen attending marches?
No, wearing USGS logo items would imply USGS endorsement ofmarches.
5) May USGS employees post flyers inUSGS buildings (or use USGS e-mail to distribute information) regardingmarches, petitions, pledges, etc. ?
No, flyers regardingmarches, petitions, pledges, etc.may not be posted in USGS buildings, and USGS e-mail may not be used to distribute information regarding the event since this would imply USGS endorsement ofsuchevents and activities.
Additionally, since there are often prominent "donate" buttons onwebsites providing information on marches, petitions, pledges, etc., posting flyers or sending information that includes website addresses could constitute fundraising in the Federal workplace. According to theStandards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,5 C.F.R. 2635.808 fundraising in the Federal workplace is only authorized through the Combined Federal Campaign.
6) May USGS facilities (such as parking lots) be used as rally or rendezvous points for employees participating in marches?
No, USGS facilities may not be used as rally or rendezvous pointsfor employees participating in marches in their personal capacitiessince this could imply USGS endorsement of the events.
UPDATED April 3, 2017
7) May a USGS employee respond to a reporter if askedquestionswhile they are participating in a march?
Yes, as private citizens, employees may express their personal opinions to reporters covering events, but may not use their affiliation as a USGS employee to bolster their opinions in any way.Employees should not volunteer information about where they work. However, if asked, an employee may say they work for the USGS, but they must explainthat:a)they are participating in the march as a private individual;b) they are not participating in an official capacity; and c) their opinions do not represent those of the USGS or the Federal government.
If a reporter contacts an employee via the employee’s USGS email address to discuss participation in a march, the employee shouldcontact the Public Affairs officefor advice on the best way to respond.
April 3, 2017