Code of Federal Regulations Title 5. Administrative Personnel § 5.630.1011 Prohibition of coercion

(1) The term “employee” has the meaning given that term in 5 U.S.C. 6301(2), excluding an individual employed by the District of Columbia;  and

(2) The term “intimidate, threaten, or coerce” includes promising to confer or conferring any benefit (such as an appointment or promotion or compensation) or effecting or threatening to effect any reprisal (such as deprivation of appointment, promotion, or compensation).