Fact Check: NASA employees must attend protest off-duty to avoid repercussions.

Fact Check: "NASA employees must attend protest off-duty to avoid repercussions."

What We Know

The claim that "NASA employees must attend protest off-duty to avoid repercussions" suggests that there is an obligation for NASA employees to participate in protests during their personal time, or face negative consequences. However, the official guidelines from NASA's ethics program clarify that employees are prohibited from engaging in outside activities that conflict with their official duties. According to the NASA Ethics Program, employees must seek prior approval for outside employment or activities that could interfere with their responsibilities. This indicates that participation in protests could potentially fall under these regulations, especially if it is perceived as conflicting with their duties.

Furthermore, the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees state that public service is a public trust, and employees are expected to prioritize their loyalty to the Constitution and ethical principles above personal interests. This does not imply a requirement to attend protests, but rather emphasizes ethical conduct in all professional and personal activities.

Analysis

The sources reviewed provide a clear picture of NASA's stance on employee participation in outside activities, including protests. The NASA Ethics Program explicitly states that employees should not engage in outside activities that conflict with their official duties, and they must seek approval for such activities. This implies that while employees may attend protests, they are not mandated to do so, nor is there a threat of repercussions for not attending.

Additionally, a recent article from NASA Watch mentions that personnel attending protests should do so off-duty, indicating that participation is voluntary and should not interfere with their work obligations. This aligns with the ethical guidelines that discourage conflicts of interest and emphasize the importance of maintaining professional integrity.

The claim lacks credible support and misinterprets the ethical guidelines set forth by NASA. There is no evidence from the sources that suggests employees face repercussions for not attending protests, nor is there any directive that mandates participation.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that "NASA employees must attend protest off-duty to avoid repercussions" is false. NASA's ethical guidelines do not require employees to participate in protests, and there is no indication that failure to do so would lead to negative consequences. Instead, employees are encouraged to maintain a clear separation between their professional responsibilities and personal activities, including protests.

Fact Check: NASA employees must attend protest off-duty to avoid repercussions.