As a Federal employee, you may not use your position for your own private gain, nor for the private gain of others. But being a Federal employee also does not infringe on your Constitutional right of free speech. Therefore, it is important to understand when it is appropriate to use your NIH title and affiliation and when it is not. The following information will help you determine when an official recommendation may be appropriate and when you could recommend only in a personal capacity. If you have specific questions, please contact your IC's Ethics Officials (see links below).
- Letters in Support of Visa Actions: Description of two (2) NIH policy memos, from 2005 and 2007. One section of the 2005 memo is superseded by the 2007 memo.
- Letters of Recommendation: Use of Official Title or Stationery
- Misuse of Federal Position to Help Another Person Get a Job. OGE DAEOgram DO-07-023 dated August 1, 2007, explaining the facts an employee must consider prior to writing a letter or helping a person obtain private sector employment. (OGE website)
Revised: 12/8/11
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