Internal Agency Policies
On this page:
Policies for OGE Employees
Executive Order 13160 Rehabilitation Act, Section 504 and 508 Procedures
The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is a Federal agency. As part of its function, OGE provides ethics training to Federal employees in the executive branch. Executive Order 13160 mandates equal opportunity in all Federally conducted education and training programs. Under the Executive Order, discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation and status as a parent is prohibited in Federally conducted training programs and activities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act states that no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that either receives Federal financial assistance or is conducted by any Executive agency. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. The Office of Government Ethics fully subscribes to these policies.
In support of these authorities, OGE is providing information about the proper procedures for filing a complaint that alleges that OGE has violated Executive Order 13160, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, or Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Anyone wishing to file a complaint that alleges a violation of Executive Order 13160, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act may use the procedures described below.(1)
Complaint Procedures Under Executive Order 13160, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Filing a Formal Complaint
Anyone wishing to file a complaint may submit a written complaint in any form to OGE's EEO Officer at U.S. Office of Government Ethics, 250 E Street, SW., Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20024-3249. In order to be accepted by the Agency, the complaint must be "complete." A "complete" complaint includes the complainant's name, address, and phone number and provides sufficient detail to inform the Agency of the issue. Additionally, the complaint must be signed by the complainant or by someone authorized to sign on the complainant's behalf.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
In some instances, the Agency may determine that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is appropriate. If the complainant agrees, the Agency may provide a mediator at the election of the Agency. The mediator may be an employee of another Federal agency.
Decision
If the complaint cannot be resolved informally, the Deputy Director for Administration and Information Management will issue a decision in writing, determining whether remedial or corrective action is warranted. The complainant will receive a copy of the decision.
Request for Reconsideration
Additional information concerning the mandate of Executive Order 13160 may be found in guidance implementing the Executive Order that was published by the Department of Justice. 66 Fed. Reg. 5408 (January 18, 2001). Additional information concerning Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act are available at Department of Justice.
No Fear Act Notice On May 15, 2002, Congress enacted the “Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002,” which is now known as the No FEAR Act. One purpose of the Act is to “require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection. OGE also makes available Equal Employment Opportunity Data pursuant to the No Fear Act.
Notice To Agency Employees and Check Writers
When you provide a check as a payment, you authorize us either to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic funds transfer from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction. When we use information from your check to make an electronic funds transfer, funds may be withdrawn from your account as early as the day we receive your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution.
OGE places the health and safety of its employees at the very forefront while navigating the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the most recent and reliable data and guidance, the Workforce Safety Plan is designed to help ensure the health and safety of OGE employees while they are in OGE’s physical workplace carrying out the agency’s vital mission. The Plan will be continually revised to incorporate any updates to relevant data and/or guidance.
OGE is committed to providing a work environment that is free from harassment and to taking steps to prevent harassment in the workplace as early as possible.
OGE is committed to providing equal opportunity for its employees and applicants for employment and to prohibit discrimination in its employment programs and in all aspects of the agency's employment policies, practices and activities because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, or status as a parent. OGE also supports a working environment that is free from sexual harassment.
Policy Regarding Performance and Conduct for Senior Executives and Senior Level Employees.
This document sets forth OGE’s plan for shutting down operations in the event of a lapse of appropriations.
OGE is committed to ensuring that all employees with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation for their known physical and mental limitations unless such accommodation would impose an undue hardship on agency operations. Note: OGE's Personal Assistance Services policy is imbedded in the reasonable accommodation policy and procedure at section IX.
Federal employees have the right to be free from prohibited personnel practices, including retaliation for whistleblowing. OGE is committed to providing a work environment free from whistleblower retaliation and ensuring that all employees are aware of their rights as well as the safeguards that are in place to protect them.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is an independent investigative and prosecutorial agency whose primary mission is to safeguard the merit system by protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, including reprisal for whistleblowing.
It is the goal of OGE to promote a healthy and safe work environment for all employees. OGE is committed to treating domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking seriously. OGE is committed to providing services and resources to victims to ensure the workplace remains safe. This policy constitutes OGE's statement of procedures for handling incidents of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking with regard to OGE employees.
IT Policies
This document, which refers to a federal law that requires federal agencies to ensure that information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible to people with disabilities, sets forth OGE's policy for achieving and maintaining compliance.
This document, which applies to Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), sets forth OGE's policy related to the Agency's IPv6 deployment and implementation.
This document, which applies to Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), sets forth OGE's implementation plan for IPv6.
This document, which applies to Vulnerability Disclosure, sets forth OGE's Vulnerability Disclosure Policy.
Website Policies
The communications on OGE's website are published, produced or disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense.
Accessibility Statement
OGE is committed to providing access to the content on our websites for individuals with disabilities, both members of the public and Federal employees. In 1998, President Clinton signed the Workforce Investment Act into law. This Act amended Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to include accessibility requirements for electronic and information technology.
Section 508 requires us to ensure that Federal employees with disabilities, and members of the public with disabilities seeking information or services from us, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees, or members of the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on us. We will make every effort to comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 794), and the accessibility standards for implementing Section 508 issued by the U.S. Access Board.
If you use assistive technology and have trouble accessing information on OGE websites, please contact us with the nature of the problem, the URL (web address) of the information you tried to access, and your contact information. We will contact you as soon as possible, and do what we can to provide you with the information you need. To learn more about accessibility requirements for electronic and information technology, see the Access Board's Section 508 standards.
Questions about the Access Board’s standards for electronic and information technology issued under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act may be directed to 508@access-board.gov
OGE is not responsible for the accessibility of other websites linking to or from OGE websites.
You can contact us by e-mail at ContactOGE@oge.gov.
Accessing Documents in Various File Formats
The documents on www.oge.gov are in various file formats. In addition to regular HTML or XML, documents may also appear in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF), or Microsoft's Excel, Word or PowerPoint formats. OGE has made every effort to provide documents in open, industry standard formats to allow access to this information through the use of a web browser. However, there may be instances in which the effective presentation of the information can only be achieved through the use of other formats requiring plug-ins. Below please find a list of plug-ins for these documents.
Adobe Plug-ins
These plug-ins are for "viewers" only and can be used to access PDF files and Flash video without having the programs installed on the computer. However, documents cannot be created with these viewers. Note: Some PDF documents may be able to be edited and saved provided that they are "rights-enabled" PDF files.
- Adobe Reader for PDF Files: Open and interact with all PDF documents. View, search, and print PDF files.
- Adobe Flash Player: Cross-platform, browser-based application. View applications, content and videos across screens and different browsers.
Microsoft Office Plug-ins
These plug-ins are for "viewers" only and can be used to access MS Office documents without having the programs installed on the computer. However, documents cannot be created, edited or saved with these viewers.
Changes to Site Terms
OGE reserves the right to change any of the terms and conditions contained in the Site Terms or any policy or guideline of the Site, at any time and in its sole discretion. When we make changes, we will revise the "last updated" date at the top of the Site Terms. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on the Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes will constitute your acceptance of such changes. We encourage you to review the Site Terms whenever you visit one of our websites.
Copyright Status & Citation
Information generated by the Office of Government Ethics is in the public domain and may be reproduced, published or otherwise used without the OGE's permission. Citation to the Office of Government Ethics as the source of the information is appreciated, as appropriate. This copyright notice only pertains to the Office of Government Ethics web site.
Disclaimer of Liability or Endorsement
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to the contents of this Web site or its links to other Internet resources. The information appearing on this Web site is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or ethics-related advice to any individual or entity. We urge you to consult with your own legal or ethics advisor before taking any action based on information appearing on this site or any site to which it may be linked. OGE may be legally required, for example, by the Freedom of Information Act or a court order, to post documents generated by third parties that may contain offensive, defamatory, or misleading or otherwise inappropriate content. The OGE disclaims responsibility for the content of these documents. Reference in this site to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Department of Justice. OGE does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of information contained on a linked website; does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites; does not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer; cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked websites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked website. OGE is not responsible for transmissions users receive from linked websites and does not guarantee that outside websites comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act. We strongly recommend that you review the policies of any outside websites you visit from this site, since you will be subject to the privacy, security, and accessibility policies of those other sites, once you leave OGE.gov.
Linking Policy
Links to OGE Site
Links to the Office of Government Ethics website are permitted. The use of the OGE logo, and other images from the OGE website, are subject to the terms and restrictions listed below. The fact that a website links to the Office of Government Ethics site does not indicate that the OGE has any responsibility for the content of that site, nor does it constitute an endorsement of that site by the OGE.
Links from the OGE Site
OGE.gov links to other websites that provide additional information to assist ethics professionals or other visitors seeking ethics information. We primarily link to other government sites, but also may link to non-government sites for information not available elsewhere within government. OGE.gov may also incorporate content from social media websites such as YouTube videos or Twitter feeds. These tools are always used in accordance with OMB Memorandum 10-23, Guidance for Agency Use of Third-Party Websites and Applications (PDF), June 2010. If you click a link to an outside website you will leave the OGE.gov site and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners of the outside website. If you have concerns about how these other websites handle privacy and security issues, we strongly recommend that you review the policies of any external sites you visit.
Privacy Policy
The Office of Government Ethics is committed to protecting your privacy. The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) will collect no personal information when you visit our website unless you choose to provide that information. If you do choose to provide personal information to us, it is only used to fulfill your request for information. We do collect some technical information on the OGE website. There is an explanation below on how we collect and handle this technical information.
If You Send Us Personal Information
If you choose to provide us with personal information, such as by sending an email or by filling out and submitting a form through our website, we will use that information to respond to your message or to fulfill the stated purpose of the communication. Remember that email is not necessarily secure against interception. If your communication is sensitive or includes personal information, you may prefer to send it by postal mail instead.
We may share the information you give us with another government agency if your inquiry relates to that agency. In other limited circumstances, such as responses to requests from Congress and private individuals, we may be required by law to disclose information you submit. Before you submit personal information, such as on an online form, you may be given more specific guidance as to how your personal information may be used.
OGE never collects information or creates individual profiles for marketing purposes.
While you must provide an email address for a response to any incoming questions or comments to OGE.gov, we recommend that you not include any other personal information, especially Social Security numbers. Electronically submitted information is maintained and destroyed in compliance with the Federal Records Act, as implemented under the regulations of the National Archives and Records Administration. This information may also be covered by the Privacy Act and subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
Information sent to ContactOGE@oge.gov is being collected and maintained for the purpose of reviewing and responding to contacts from the public through OGE’s “Contact OGE” program. Providing your name and contact information is purely voluntary and there are no consequences for declining to provide the information.
OGE has the authority to collect and maintain this information based on its organic authority to provide the executive branch with information on and promote understanding of ethical standards. See 5 U.S.C. 13122 (b)(14).
While the information requested is intended to be used primarily for OGE’s internal purposes, in certain circumstances it may be necessary to disclose this information externally as described in the routine uses set forth in OGE/INT-7, see 87 FR 24166 (April 22, 2022).
Technical Information Collected and Stored Automatically
If you do nothing during your visit but browse through the website, read pages, or download information, we will gather and store certain information about your visit automatically. This information does not identify you personally. We automatically collect and store some or all of the following information about your visit: the Internet IP address from which you accessed our website, the date and time, the Internet IP address of the website from which you linked to our website, the name of the file or words you searched for, items clicked on a page, and the browser and operating system used.
We use this information to help us make our website more useful to visitors and to learn about the number of visitors to our site and the types of technology our visitors use. We do not track or record information about individuals and their visits.
Cookies
When you visit some websites, their web servers generate pieces of information known as cookies. These cookies can be used either for the duration of a single Web session (session cookies) or they can be used to permanently store data on your computer’s hard drive enabling recognition of your computer in the future (persistent cookies.)
The OGE website uses single-session cookies to serve technical purposes, like providing seamless navigation through OGE.gov website. These cookies do not permanently record data and they are not stored on your computer's hard drive. OGE.gov’s session cookies are only available during an active browser session. When you close your browser, the session cookie disappears.
OGE.gov uses multi-session cookies to help us understand how people use the site and to give us information on how we can make the site. We use Google Analytics web analytics software, and while we do not collect any personally-identifiable information (PII), Google Analytics uses IP addresses to track what sites and search queries refer visitors to OGE.gov. Traffic statistics are collected anonymously and aggregated, and no information is traceable to any specific individual.
Cookies—Tier 1 (single session) and Tier 2 (multi-session without PII), are used on OGE.gov in compliance with OMB Memorandum 10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization (PDF) dated June 25, 2010. OGE.gov does not use Tier 2 (multi-session without PII) or Tier 3 (multi-session with PII) cookies.
You can remove or block the use of web measurement and customization technologies by changing the setting of your browser to block cookies as described on USA.gov’s Web Measurement and Customization Opt-out page.
Site Security Notification
You are entering an Official United States Government System, which may be used only for authorized purposes. The Government may employ commercial software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. All persons are hereby notified that the use of this system constitutes consent to such monitoring and auditing. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this website are strictly prohibited and are subject to criminal prosecution under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act and Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001 and 1030. Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. Raw data logs are used for no other purposes and are scheduled for regular destruction in accordance with National Archives and Records Administration guidelines.
Use of Images
Images on this site are provided through a license from Getty Images, Inc. These images are not for public use. Individuals are prohibited from downloading the licensed images for purposes other than personal use. Republication, re-transmission, reproduction, or other use of the licensed images is prohibited.
The Office of Government Ethics Logo ("logo") is available for download and use for educational purposes. You may download and reprint the logo, but you may not use the image for commercial purposes. The Office of Government Ethics reserves the right to restrict the use of the logo. The fact that an entity uses the OGE logo does not constitute an endorsement of that entity by the OGE.
Web Content Publication Schedule
Section (f)(2) of the E-Government Act of 2002 requires federal agencies to develop an inventory of information to be published on their websites, establish a schedule for publishing information, make those schedules available for public comment, and post the schedules and priorities on the website. OGE's web publication policy is to put all publicly available information on its website. As new information becomes available at OGE that is important to the public, we make every effort to put it on our website as quickly as possible. If you have suggestions for additional information you think we should have on OGE's website, please let us know. For more information about the content inventory and the E-Gov Act, please visit Section of the E-Gov Act.
Categories of Information Disseminated by OGE
- Column 1 lists the categories of information OGE disseminates.
- Column 2 indicates the priority OGE assigns to publication of each category.
- Priority 1: Required by law, regulation, Presidential directive or other directive.
- Priority 2: Time-sensitive information.
- Priority 3: Information of interest to a broad spectrum of audiences.
- Priority 4: Other Information.
- Column 3 indicates the publication schedule for the category.
OGE's Web Content Publication Schedule
| Category |
Priority |
Publication Date |
| General agency information, such as mission and function statements, staff directory, vacancies, and FOIA. |
4 |
As available, unless otherwise required by law |
| Archive of ethics related laws, regulation and legal guidance provided to assist agencies and other interested parties in understanding the requirements of an executive branch ethics program. |
4 |
As available, unless otherwise required by law |
| Ethics training related information, such as notices of upcoming ethics conferences, training workshops and seminars, available training materials including computer and web-based resources and videos. |
2 |
As available, unless otherwise required by law |
| Ethics forms, publications and other ethics program administration documents, including disclosure forms, model trust documents. |
3 |
As available, unless otherwise required by law |
| Programmatic and administrative information and guidance, including agency best practices, tips and guidelines on preparing for and conducting an ethics program review. |
3 |
As available, unless otherwise required by law |
| Reports to Congress and OMB as required by statute or memoranda, including budget and performance information. |
4 |
As available, unless otherwise required by law |
| International activity information intended as a resource for persons interested in learning more about certain ethics and anticorruption topics |
4 |
As available, unless otherwise required by law |
| Ethics advisory memoranda aimed at agency ethics officials |
2 |
As available, unless otherwise required by law |
Social Media Policies
OGE maintains official social media accounts on third-party websites ("third-party accounts") to promote transparency and raise the visibility of the executive branch ethics program and OGE. Raising the visibility of the executive branch ethics program and OGE are critical steps towards building awareness of the systems in place to detect and resolve potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, OGE uses third-party accounts to provide cost-effective online training for ethics officials. This training provides ethics officials with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out the duties of their positions.
Third-Party Website Security and Privacy Policies
User activity on third-party websites is governed by the security and privacy policies of the third-party website. Users of third-party websites often share information with the general public, user community, and/or the third-party operating the third-party website. These actors may use this information in a variety of ways. Consequently, users should review the privacy policies of the third-party website before using it and ensure that they understand how this information may be used. Users should also adjust privacy settings on their accounts on any third-party website to match their preferences. Information about each third-party website that OGE uses, including a link to the third-party website privacy policy, is provided below:
Twitter
is a social networking website and its privacy policy can be found here. YouTube
is a video sharing website and users do not have to register with YouTube to view videos posted by OGE. For users registered with YouTube, please note that YouTube is a third-party site governed by a separate privacy policy that can be found here. Google+
is an online social networking website through which users can share information, pictures, and videos. Google+ also has a live video chatting feature called Google Hangouts that also allows a user to share documents, scratchpads, images, and?videos with other users and includes a feature for broadcasting live video conversations that are accessible to anyone with a web browser. The privacy policy for Google+ can be found here.LinkedIn
is an online social networking website for professionals through which users can share their professional identities and experience, make business connections, post, and seek jobs. The privacy policy for LinkedIn can be found here.
The information posted on or directed at OGE through OGE's third-party accounts is generally available to any users who are able to view OGE's profile page. To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, do not include your full name, date of birth, social security number, address, phone numbers, email addresses, case numbers, or any other sensitive personal information in your comments or responses. This information may be archived independently on, and retention of such information is governed by, the third-party website.
OGE Privacy Policy (Social Media)
OGE will not use its third-party accounts to: 1) actively seek personal information, 2) search for or by personal information, or 3) "follow," "friend," subscribe to, or take similar action to connect its account to other user accounts, except for U.S. government entities. To the extent a user posts or sends personal information to OGE through its third-party accounts, OGE will use the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish a purpose authorized by statute, executive order, or regulation. OGE does not request, collect, maintain, or record personally identifiable information (PII) that users submit or publish when engaging with OGE through a third-party website.
OGE Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technology
OGE does use multi-session web measurement and customization technology to monitor traffic directed to its website through OGE's third-party accounts; engagement activities with OGE third-party pages, such as the number of views, clicks on posted links, "likes" and "retweets;" and the number of "followers," "friends," "subscribers," or similar connections to OGE's third-party accounts. OGE uses this information to learn about the reach of its external communications by analyzing the number of users who visit OGE's official website through links OGE posts on it third-party sites and to make its website and third-party accounts more useful to its external audiences. This technical data is retained for purposes of conducting an annual review of OGE's effectiveness in meeting its goals to promote transparency of executive branch decision making processes by raising visibility of the executive branch ethics program and to advance a strong uniform executive branch ethics program through ethics education. No PII is provided to OGE through this measurement technology and OGE is unable to identify an individual or track information about a user or a user's account as a result of OGE's use of the measurement technology. Users may choose to visit OGE's official website (www.oge.gov) directly to access the information provided by OGE through its third-party account or choose to disable the cookie feature on their browser to block the transfer of this technical data.
Privacy Impact Assessment
The OGE privacy impact assessment for OGE's use of social media accounts on third-party websites can be viewed on the Privacy Impact Assesments page.