Hatch Act Violations can cost you your job!

From:  Fredericksen, Deborah
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 12:30 PM
Subject: Union Message: HATCH ACT - URGENT!
Importance: High

As many of you may know, SSA has recently become aware of possible Hatch Act violations that occurred via the Agency E-mail system.

SSA does not have the authority to investigate and/or determine what is and is not a "Hatch Act" violation. This responsibility belongs to the Office of Special Council. (www.osc.gov) The Office of Special Council (OSC) will conduct an investigation based on information provided by SSA. If the OSC determines a "Hatch Act" violation occurs, they will decide which course of action to take. There are only two penalties that can be considered by the OSC -

1) a 30 day suspension or
2) REMOVAL

If an SSA or OSC official requests to talk to you about an alleged Hatch Act violation, DO NOT THINK TWICE, REQUEST UNION REPRESENTATION!

What are Hatch Act violations?

Federal employees are limited to what they can and cannot do while participating in political activities. The office of OSC website provides all the information and/or rules regarding the Hatch ACT.

Simplified, Federal employees may-

• be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections
• register and vote as they choose
• assist in voter registration drives
• express opinions about candidates and issues
• contribute money to political organizations
• attend political fundraising functions
• attend and be active at political rallies and meetings
• join and be an active member of a political party or club
• sign nominating petitions
• campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
• campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
• make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections
• distribute campaign literature in partisan elections
• hold office in political clubs or parties

Federal employees may not-

• use official authority or influence to interfere with an election
• solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency
• solicit or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations)
• be candidates for public office in partisan elections
• engage in political activity while:
  • on duty
  • in a government office or on federal property
  • wearing an official uniform
  • using a government vehicle
• wear partisan political buttons on duty
  

Engaging in political activity while on duty may also include-

• Forwarding political endorsements of any candidate
• Soliciting contributions
• Sharing political jokes or images
• Sharing political web site links in any way
• Using government property, equipment or time to engage in political activity

What you can do to protect yourself
If you have any concerns about what you can and can not do or what you may have done, you should contact your AFGE Local President as soon as possible. If you do not know who your AFGE Local President is, you may reply to this e-mail click here for assistance.

AFGE has attorneys who specialize in issues of Hatch Act and will be very helpful in defending employees who may be accused of violating the Hatch Act.