On Monday, the same day that news broke that a bunch of city employees were allegedly taking home both a pay check and unemployment benefits, Mayor Vince Gray told all District government workers that they have to sign an ethics pledge. And yes, since you’re wondering, a spokesman for the mayor says signing the pledge is mandatory.

Here it is:

D.C. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE ETHICS PLEDGE

As an employee of the Government of the District of Columbia, I understand that I am a public servant and, thereby, am entrusted with working for the common good of our city and its residents.

As a public servant, I have been given access to governmental power and resources for one purpose: To serve the government of the District of Columbia and the people whom that government represents.

Therefore, I solemnly pledge to honor the public trust and responsibility with which I have been entrusted by:

1. Refraining from misuse of my position or office for personal financial benefit or for the financial benefit of my
relatives, friends or organizations with which I am affiliated;

2. Avoiding financial conflicts of interest by declining to participate in government actions that could affect my
own financial interests or those of my relatives, friends or organizations with which I am affiliated;

3. Avoiding representational conflicts of interest by declining to represent a non-governmental party in a matter
before the government or involving the government;

4. Avoiding gifts and payments from interested parties by refraining from soliciting or accepting anything of value
from those who are regulated by or are doing business with the government;

5. Avoiding outside payment for government work by refraining from soliciting or accepting anything of value from
outside sources for doing government work;

6. Acting impartially by avoiding giving preferential treatment to anyone;

7. Safeguarding government resources by declining to use government letterhead, personnel, equipment, supplies,
or other resources for a non-government purpose or engaging in personal or private activities during times when I
am required to perform work for the government;

8. Safeguarding confidential non-public information by not revealing or using confidential non-public
information for a non-government purpose;

9. Disclosing waste or illegal conduct by government officials to the appropriate authorities when I witness it
taking place;

10. Abiding by revolving-door restrictions by following all rules and regulations restricting former government.

Photo by Matt Dunn