Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 12:58     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This interview is for another federal position with a different agency, and I wanted to confirm whether it is appropriate to use my agency-issued laptop and work time for the interview, or if it would be preferable to use my personal device and conduct the interview on my own time.

Use the laptop but take leave for the time of the interview.

+1
I can't believe an employee has to ask if they should take time off for an interview. Are you doing the job you are paid for at that time? No? There's your answer.


In many salaried positions you would not take PTO for an interview, just as you would not get overtime if you work late. The government is the exception, except that you still will not get overtime.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 12:51     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Sounds like this falls under the personal use of a laptop. It's of no additional cost to your employer, so it's okay.

Make sure you take leave or use your unpaid lunch time.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 12:48     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This interview is for another federal position with a different agency, and I wanted to confirm whether it is appropriate to use my agency-issued laptop and work time for the interview, or if it would be preferable to use my personal device and conduct the interview on my own time.

Use the laptop but take leave for the time of the interview.

+1
I can't believe an employee has to ask if they should take time off for an interview. Are you doing the job you are paid for at that time? No? There's your answer.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 11:35     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:This interview is for another federal position with a different agency, and I wanted to confirm whether it is appropriate to use my agency-issued laptop and work time for the interview, or if it would be preferable to use my personal device and conduct the interview on my own time.

Use the laptop but take leave for the time of the interview.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 10:23     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:That’s personal business. I myself would use my personal laptop and not do it during time I’m supposed to be working. So I’d put in for leave hours for the time of the interview or else do it on my lunch break.


The DOI policy, which is not an outlier, is "Employees may use Government computers and the internet for personal use on their personal time (before and after work; during lunch and other breaks) provided there is no additional cost to the Government."


+1. I would definitely classify an interview with another government agency as incidental personal use of the laptop.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:53     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:That’s personal business. I myself would use my personal laptop and not do it during time I’m supposed to be working. So I’d put in for leave hours for the time of the interview or else do it on my lunch break.


The DOI policy, which is not an outlier, is "Employees may use Government computers and the internet for personal use on their personal time (before and after work; during lunch and other breaks) provided there is no additional cost to the Government."
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:48     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
That’s personal business. I myself would use my personal laptop and not do it during time I’m supposed to be working. So I’d put in for leave hours for the time of the interview or else do it on my lunch break.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:48     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think you can use the laptop but should use your own time for the interview. I mean, if you were interviewing in person I assume you would take leave for that right? Same thing here but if it is a quick Zoom interview you can use your lunch break for it.


Thank you. It’s unlikely the interview could take place during my lunch break, as they would also be on lunch break at that time.


People still take lunch breaks?
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:46     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think you can use the laptop but should use your own time for the interview. I mean, if you were interviewing in person I assume you would take leave for that right? Same thing here but if it is a quick Zoom interview you can use your lunch break for it.


Thank you. It’s unlikely the interview could take place during my lunch break, as they would also be on lunch break at that time.


Lunch can be from 1-2 for you and their lunch can be 12-1.



+1. Your supervisor might also allow you to come in early / work later to make up the time.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:45     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
No I would not. And I would also take time off and do the interview at home. The interviewers could think poorly of you otherwise.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:44     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think you can use the laptop but should use your own time for the interview. I mean, if you were interviewing in person I assume you would take leave for that right? Same thing here but if it is a quick Zoom interview you can use your lunch break for it.


Thank you. It’s unlikely the interview could take place during my lunch break, as they would also be on lunch break at that time.


Lunch can be from 1-2 for you and their lunch can be 12-1.

Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:43     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
Anonymous wrote:I think you can use the laptop but should use your own time for the interview. I mean, if you were interviewing in person I assume you would take leave for that right? Same thing here but if it is a quick Zoom interview you can use your lunch break for it.


Thank you. It’s unlikely the interview could take place during my lunch break, as they would also be on lunch break at that time.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:35     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
I think you can use the laptop but should use your own time for the interview. I mean, if you were interviewing in person I assume you would take leave for that right? Same thing here but if it is a quick Zoom interview you can use your lunch break for it.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:19     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
I would not even think twice about this. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 09:18     Subject: Fed: Can I do interview on agency-issued laptop?
This interview is for another federal position with a different agency, and I wanted to confirm whether it is appropriate to use my agency-issued laptop and work time for the interview, or if it would be preferable to use my personal device and conduct the interview on my own time.