participate in an official capacity in certain matters without first obtaining specific authorization if, in his
judgment, persons with knowledge of the relevant facts would question his impartiality in those matters.
This is commonly referred to as the "appearance of impropriety principle."
MATTERS COVERED. These include a particular matter involving specific parties if the employee
knows either (1) that it is likely to affect the financial interest of a member of his household or (2) that
one of the following persons is a party or represents a party in the matter:
A person with whom the employee has or seeks a business or other financial relationship;
A member of the employee's household or relative with whom the employee has a close
relationship;
A person the employee's spouse, parent or child serves or seeks to serve in an official or business
capacity;
A person the employee has, in the past year, served in an official of business capacity; or
An organization, other than a political party, in which the employee is an active participant.
DISQUALIFICATION. Disqualification can be accomplished in the same manner as when required
under subpart D for disqualifying financial interests.
AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE.
Notwithstanding the employee's determination that his
impartiality would be questioned, the agency designee can authorize the employee to participate in the
matter based on a determination that the Government's interest in the employee's participation
outweighs the concern that a reasonable person would question the integrity of agency programs and
operations.
7. Seeking other Employment (Synopsis of Subpart F)
DISQUALIFICATION WHILE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT. An employee is prohibited from participating
in an official capacity in any particular matter that, to his knowledge, has a direct and predictable effect
on the financial interests of a person with whom he is seeking employment.
DEFINITION OF SEEKING EMPLOYMENT. The term "seeking employment" includes bilateral
negotiations with another, mutually conducted with a view to reaching an agreement regarding possible
employment. It also includes conduct short of negotiations, such as sending an unsolicited resume or
other employment proposal. It can include employment contacts by or through an agent or
intermediary. However, it does not include simply:
Rejecting an unsolicited employment overture;
MP1022
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