Fed DRP + DC Gov't = unethical dual employment?

[Anonymous]

If someone took the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP/Fork 2.0), and almost immediately started a job in the DC Government, is that ethical? I mean at this point it's like ethics are out the window but I was surprised to hear my previous supervisor at the Department of Labor took the DRP and started a job with the DC Government. I would have thought this was unethical, especially since in some sense the DC government is under the federal government? I mean a totally different sector, like the private sector, would make sense to me as long as no conflicting interests. But this case... What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If someone took the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP/Fork 2.0), and almost immediately started a job in the DC Government, is that ethical? I mean at this point it's like ethics are out the window but I was surprised to hear my previous supervisor at the Department of Labor took the DRP and started a job with the DC Government. I would have thought this was unethical, especially since in some sense the DC government is under the federal government? I mean a totally different sector, like the private sector, would make sense to me as long as no conflicting interests. But this case... What do you think?

We were told you are allowed to find another job while on DRP. That point was made repeatedly. Not sure if it's ethical or not from ethics standpoint but it is allowed.

[Anonymous]

I think I'm going to go with my agency's ethics lawyers and not you on this, OP.

[Anonymous]

Does not violate the conflicts laws or the Standers of Conduct. There may be a few restrictions on actions the employee can take with respect to the federal government. Although, DC may be excepted. Even so, the employee would just recuse themselves. The one thing an employee cannot do is take a contractor job on a federal contract that would require communication with the federal government. There are some narrow ways to do it. But, it would be super risky. So most ethics officers will just tell people on DRP not to try.

[Anonymous]

Of course it is fine

[Anonymous]

They literally told people to double dip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does not violate the conflicts laws or the Standers of Conduct. There may be a few restrictions on actions the employee can take with respect to the federal government. Although, DC may be excepted. Even so, the employee would just recuse themselves. The one thing an employee cannot do is take a contractor job on a federal contract that would require communication with the federal government. There are some narrow ways to do it. But, it would be super risky. So most ethics officers will just tell people on DRP not to try.

OP here: thanks for this explanation. maybe my understanding was wrong. I do know someone who wanted to take the DRP to start a contractor job, and they actually cleared it with the ethics office before accepting that position and participating in the DRP. So maybe this situation is similar.

[Anonymous]

It may be up to DC as to whether they allow it. when we hired a DC employee they rushed his off boarding to make sure he was completely off their books before his fed start date. It may also depend on the nature of the work.

One of my colleagues took a job in with another local government and both our federal ethics person and her new employer said she needed to resign to take the new job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They literally told people to double dip

+1

Also if RIF’d you keep collecting severance even if you get a new job (so long as not re-employed with the fed gov). The DRP/severance/early out incentives are for the benefit of the employee who is getting pushed out of their job. If they do not get a job before it runs out then they are worse off. If they do then they may come out ahead. But either way this is the cushion for the employee’s transition period and considering all the unethical crap this administration has pulled and the tax breaks going to billionaires, I have no problem with an employee getting this money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It may be up to DC as to whether they allow it. when we hired a DC employee they rushed his off boarding to make sure he was completely off their books before his fed start date. It may also depend on the nature of the work.

One of my colleagues took a job in with another local government and both our federal ethics person and her new employer said she needed to resign to take the new job.

I’m guessing there was some sort of conflict if the employee was switching to another employer in the same field.

[Anonymous]

If they got a job at the zoo and they were a prosecutor before, I'd say it would be fine. But if HUD grant officer at fed and DC housing grantee, I think it would be a conflict. But up to agency ethics attorney to approve.

[Anonymous]

There is no "you can't work in the same field" rule.