Who should you discuss potential outside payment and royalty opportunities with to protect yourself from penalties?

Discussing potential outside payment and royalty opportunities with an agency ethics official is essential for ensuring compliance with both ethical standards and federal regulations. Agency ethics officials are trained to provide guidance on the rules and restrictions that govern outside employment, financial interests, and potential conflicts of interest for employees. Engaging with an agency ethics official helps to clarify what is permissible and what might lead to penalties or violations.

The role of the ethics official is to protect both the individual and the institution by ensuring that all financial activities align with applicable laws and organizational policies. This proactive approach allows for the identification of any potential conflicts before they become problematic, thus safeguarding one’s professional integrity and compliance with guidelines.

While other advisors like personal lawyers or legal counsel from the paying company may provide legal advice, they do not have the specific knowledge of the ethical frameworks and policies that govern agency activities. A banker, on the other hand, may offer financial guidance but lacks expertise in ethical compliance related to outside payments or royalties. Therefore, consulting with an agency ethics official is the most appropriate and safe course of action in these situations.