U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board

Zoom for Government (ZfG) Rules of Behavior

for External Participants

(as of April 30, 2020)

APPLICABILITY:

These Rules of Behavior (RoB) apply to external1 participants in any MSPB

ZfG meeting, defined as meetings, conferences, and hearings. These RoB

are important to ensure the security of the system, the privacy of individual

participants, and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of

information, which includes personally identifiable information (PII) and

other sensitive information.

The purpose of these ZfG RoB is to inform external participants of their

responsibilities and to provide notice that they are accountable for their

actions while participating in an MSPB-hosted ZfG meeting. By

participating in an MSPB-hosted ZfG meeting, you agree to abide by these

RoB.

These RoB are consistent with the privacy and security requirements and

recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Department of

Justice (DOJ) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Zoom

Communications, Inc. They are also consistent with the Privacy Act of

1974, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the Federal Records Act.

These RoB apply to external participants who participate in an MSPB ZfG

meeting from any location, including their primary workplace, their home,

an alternative workplace, while traveling, etc.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: To participate in a meeting conducted via ZfG,

each participant needs a stable internet connection and a functioning

camera and microphone. Participation via ZfG through a tablet or mobile

 1 External participants include agency counsel, appellants and their 

representatives, authorized witnesses, court reporters, non-MSPB employees, 

mediators, and other meeting participants.
MSPB ZfG RoB for External Participants (continued)

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device is discouraged due to functional limitations. Depending on the

circumstances, participation by telephone is also available.

If at all possible, do not use the Zoom app for iPhone, Android, or other

mobile device to participate in an MSPB-hosted meeting. Mobile devices

and Zoom apps have functional limitations.

ACCESS & CONDITIONS:

Only use https://www.zoomgov.com to participate in an MSPB-hosted ZfG

meeting. Do not use the free or commercial version of Zoom. It is further

recommended that all participants connect to ZfG via a web browser

through the official meeting link, connection, or web address provided by

MSPB. Google Chrome is the preferred web browser. Information for

meetings, including the Meeting ID and password, will be provided to the

parties via a ZfG Notice that will be issued to the parties in advance of the

scheduled meeting date.

Do not share or disseminate any MSPB-provided Meeting ID

publically (e.g., on social media or websites) or with unauthorized

persons, i.e., anyone outside of those specifically approved in

advance by the Administrative Judge or other MSPB employee

hosting the meeting. If a meeting is compromised by such

unauthorized sharing, at the discretion of MSPB, the meeting may be

adjourned or participation may be otherwise limited. For hearings,

the responsible party may be sanctioned by the Administrative Judge. 

Do not use the free or commercial version of Zoom (https://zoom.us) to

participate in an MSPB-hosted ZfG meeting. The authorized web address

for joining the meeting is https://www.zoomgov.com.

Do not sign-in to ZfG with a Google or Facebook account.

Do not attempt to alter or bypass access control measures, including any

global administrative settings in ZfG.

Participants must sign in to an MSPB-hosted ZfG meeting using their 

full names, e.g., as used in documents submitted to MSPB.
MSPB ZfG RoB for External Participants (continued)

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Please participate from a private space with a neutral background

(i.e., that does not contain any personally identifiable items), free of

distractions, and away from any unauthorized individuals (so they do

not overhear, view, or record the content of the MSPB-hosted ZfG 

meeting).

Participants will be placed in the Waiting Room upon joining an 

MSPB-hosted meeting until they are admitted in to the meeting by 

the MSPB host, e.g., the Administrative Judge or another MSPB 

employee. Only participants invited by or authorized by the MSPB

host will be admitted.

MSPB-hosted ZfG meetings will be locked by the host once all

participants are admitted to the meeting. No one else will be

admitted to the meeting absent approval from the Administrative

Judge or MSPB host.

Once admitted to the meeting, participants will have their audio 

muted by default and must unmute their audio by clicking on the 

unmute button (or microphone icon) to be heard by other 

participants. Participants will have the option of muting their 

microphones and turning off their web cameras during an MSPBhosted ZfG meeting; however, they must do so only when directed or 

approved by the Administrative Judge or the MSPB employee hosting 

the meeting.

DECORUM: Participants agree to proper decorum when attending an

MSPB-hosted ZfG meeting.

RECORDING PROHIBITED: Participants in MSPB-hosted ZfG meetings are

strictly prohibited from recording the meeting, its content, or images in

any way (e.g., video, photo, or audio).

2 This includes recording, saving, or

 2 Only court reporters are authorized to record audio for MSPB ZfG meetings. MSPB

meetings will be recorded by a court reporter on separate equipment, and the recording

will be made a part of the record in the appeal.
MSPB ZfG RoB for External Participants (continued)

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otherwise copying the screen. Recording includes, but is not limited to,

using a personal device such as a mobile phone camera, a handheld

recording device, or a “screengrab” to record a meeting. Once the parties

go on the record in a meeting, the audio only will be recorded by the

authorized court reporter.

When participating in an MSPB-hosted ZfG meeting, all participants

acknowledge that the ZfG meeting is strictly for official Government use

and as such is an official record.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT: If you have any questions about how to use 

ZfG, please review the “Getting Started” and “Zoom Support” links at 

https://www.zoomgov.com/.

Zoom for Government Privacy Act Statement

AUTHORITY: This collection is authorized by 5 U.S.C. §§ 1201 and 1204. 

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): This information is being collected for the primary 

purposes of facilitating video and audio conferencing. The Merit Systems 

Protection Board (MSPB) uses the Zoom for Government (ZfG) platform to 

enhance internal collaboration, engage in training and outreach events, and 

conduct conferences and hearings in the course of the adjudication of 

appeals and other matters within MSPB’s authority. Through the use of 

ZfG, MSPB collects information about users including, but not limited to, 

user names, email addresses, and phone numbers (if provided); technical 

information about users’ devices, network, and internet connection; users’ 

approximate location; information about how users access ZfG (e.g., 

whether they are using a mobile application, web interface, or desktop 

client); settings and preferences chosen by the user; and other metadata. 

This information is generally collected to facilitate the administration of the 

ZfG session, including to transmit invitation links and to provide technical 

support. For more information on ZfG’s privacy policy, please visit: 

https://zoomgov.com/privacy.

ROUTINE USE(S): The information collected may be shared outside of 

MSPB as generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b) of the Privacy Act of 
MSPB ZfG RoB for External Participants (continued)

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1974, as amended. This includes sharing the information as necessary and 

authorized by routine uses published in MSPB/GOVT – 1 Appeals and Case 

Records, 77 Fed. Reg. 65206 (Oct. 25, 2012), and upon written request, by 

agreement, or as required by law. Some information may be available to 

the public under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 

U.S.C. § 552. Additionally, the information may be shared as outlined in 

ZfG’s privacy policy, available at https://zoomgov.com/privacy.

DISCLOSURE: The disclosure of information for this collection is voluntary; 

however, failure to provide the information requested may delay or 

prevent your access to MSPB web conferencing capabilities and could result 

in delay of your appeal or matter, if applicable.