As we discussed previously, the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty or while in a government office. During this election cycle, it is important that you remain aware as to when, where, and how you access your personal email account. For example, while accessing your personal email account (e.g., Gmail, hotmail, yahoo) from a government computer you MAY NOT forward an email from the McCain Senate campaign to your friends, family or co-workers, because to do so would be to engage in political activity while in a government office. Likewise, while you are tele-working/commuting from home, you MAY NOT forward a YouTube video of a Barbara Boxer interview to your friends, family or co-workers, because to do so would be to engage in political activity while on duty.
REMEMBER, THE DEFAULT PENALTY FOR A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE WHO VIOLATES THE HATCH ACT IS REMOVAL!
For more information, contact the Jeffrey Law Group, PLLC, The Federal Employee’s Law Firm®, at 202.312.7100.