Business Ethics

WHAT

Employees are required to follow ethical standards established by TVA and the federal government in their business practices, actions, and transactions.

WHO

All employees

WHY

Ethical business practices increase TVA's efficiency and integrity by leading to sound business decisions and improved internal operations.

Ethical conduct also helps maintain the trust and support of the public TVA serves. TVA operates in the public eye, and employees must recognize their actions (both on and off duty) are subject to public scrutiny.

Many federal ethics laws and rules - including some laws with criminal penalties for violation - apply to TVA employees.

HOW

STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

TVA's InsideNet ethics pages explain the general principles and specific rules in detail. The following is a summary of key provisions:

Proper Use of TVA Resources

Employees must assure that TVA's resources, including money, materials, information, employee time, and the TVA name, are used efficiently and economically - and only for TVA business and not for private gain. In addition, public perceptions must be considered in the use of TVA resources.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Activities within TVA - Employees may not participate (by advice, recommendation, decision, or otherwise) in any TVA business in which they, their spouses or minor children, or any person or organization with which they are employed or negotiating for employment has a financial interest.

Activities outside of TVA - In pursuing any activities outside of TVA, including engaging in or seeking part-time jobs or other full-time employment, employees should avoid conflicts with TVA responsibilities. Employees must also avoid any situations that would require them to attempt to influence TVA or other federal agencies on behalf of third parties. Employees must seek prior TVA approval (form 15570) as required before accepting any outside employment.

GIFTS AND FAVORS

Employees may not:

Ask for gifts - including meals, favors, or anything of value - from contractors or other outside parties who seek TVA business or who have interests that would otherwise be affected by the employee's performance of his or her TVA duties.
Accept gifts valued at more than $20 - including meals, favors, or anything of value - from contractors or other outside parties who seek TVA business or who have interests that would otherwise be affected by the employee's performance of his or her TVA duties.
Ask for gifts from any source offering a gift because of the employee's official position.
Accept gifts valued at more than $20 from any source offering a gift because of the employee's official position.
Accept gifts in return for being influenced in the performance of their TVA job duties.
Give, or ask others to give, gifts to their supervisors, except as provided below.
Accept gifts from lower-paid TVA employees.

The following are exceptions to the guidelines listed above.

Employees may accept:

Unsolicited gifts (other than money) up to $20 in value per occasion from outside parties, not to exceed $50 total per calendar year from one source.
Gifts clearly based on family or personal relationship, even where the source of the gift is employed by a contractor or other entity seeking TVA action.
Attendance, with TVA approval, at seminars, conferences, or similar events.
Occasional gifts, such as birthday gifts, costing $10 or less (other than money) from other employees.
Refreshments shared in the workplace by other employees.
Hospitality provided by another employee at his or her home.
Gifts from other employees on special occasions, such as marriage.
Gifts from a nonsubordinate employee that are based on a personal relationship.

Public Perception

Maintaining public confidence in the integrity and efficiency of TVA and its employees is vital, and employees should at all times conduct themselves in a manner which reflects favorably on themselves and the agency. Employees must consider whether a reasonable member of the public, informed of relevant facts, will perceive their actions as lacking impartiality or as violating law or ethical standards. In questionable situations, employees should seek guidance from their management or the Designated Agency Ethics Official staff.

ROLES

Employees

Apply the guidelines outlined in this practice and in the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch , a synopsis of which has been provided to all TVA employees.
Seek guidance as appropriate from their manager or from the Designated Agency Ethics Official staff.

Managers

Support these practices within their organizations.
Advise employees regarding the guidelines outlined in this practice.
Coordinate with the Designated Agency Ethics Official staff as appropriate.

Designated Agency Ethics Official Staff in TVA's Office of the General Counsel

Advises individuals and organizations on applicable ethics laws and standards.

Office of the Inspector General

Investigates potential violations of these practices.

RESOURCES

Designated Agency Ethics Official staff, Office of the General Counsel
InsideNet ethics pages
The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch , a synopsis of which has been provided to all TVA employees, contain detailed guidelines issued by the United States Office of Government Ethics. Copies of the full text of these standards, including additional information on applicable laws, are available on InsideNet.

Last Revised 2/2004