[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 45, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 45CFR73.735-401]

[Page 159-160]
 
                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE
 
                           AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 73--STANDARDS OF CONDUCT--Table of Contents
 
                    Subpart D--Financial Obligations
 
Sec. 73.735-401  General provisions.


    (a) The Department considers the indebtedness of its employees to be 
a matter of their own concern. However, employees shall not by failure 
to meet their just financial obligations reflect adversely on the 
Government as their employer. Employees are expected to pay each just 
financial obligation in a proper and timely manner. A ``just financial 
obligation'' is one acknowledged by the employee or reduced to judgment 
by a court, or one imposed by law such as Federal, State, or local

[[Page 160]]

taxes. ``In a proper and timely manner'' is a manner which the 
Department determines does not, under the circumstances, reflect 
adversely on the part of an employee in meeting his or her financial 
obligations, particularly those that relate to support of the employee's 
family, to payment of Federal, State, or local taxes, or to payments to 
tax-supported institutions such as a city or State hospital, or 
educational institution. If for some reason an employee is unable to pay 
these obligations promptly, he or she is expected to make satisfactory 
arrangements for payment and abide by these arrangements.
    (b) Disciplinary action may be considered when an employee has 
handled his or her financial affairs in such a way that:
    (1) Action on complaints received from creditors requires the use of 
a considerable amount of official time, or
    (2) It appears that financial difficulties are impairing the 
employee's efficiency on the job, or
    (3) Because of the employee's financial irresponsibility, the 
attitude of the general public toward the Department may be adversely 
affected; and the employee after counseling does not make arrangements 
to meet his or her financial obligations.