[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 45, Volume 1]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 45CFR73.735-401]



[Page 172-173]

 

                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE

 

                    SUBTITLE A--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                           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 

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



[[Page 173]]



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.