COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON

EASTON, PA Employee Policies Manual

Code: Section:

1 of 2

3.113 Employment

Nepotism
Policy Statement Members of the same family or household may not be selected for County positions if selection would create a supervisor/subordinate relationship between family and household members; would have the potential for creating an adverse impact on work performance; or would create either an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. Applicability This Policy applies to all County employees except where collective bargaining agreements, Pennsylvania State regulations, and/or State Civil Service regulations conflict. When this type of conflict occurs, whether or not the conflict provides a greater or lesser benefit to the employee, the collective bargaining agreements, Pennsylvania State regulations, and/or State Civil Service regulations shall prevail over this policy. Effective Date This policy is effective July 1, 2007 unless otherwise stated herein. This policy shall revise, amend, and replace all prior policies and practices. This policy shall be reviewed by the Director of Human Resources at a minimum of every two (2) years to determine if updates or revisions are necessary. Policy No family or household member shall have hiring authority over another family or household member nor shall vote, make recommendations or in any other way participate in the decision of any matter that may directly affect the appointment, promotion, demotion, salary or other status or interest of a family or household member. Employees are expected to voluntarily disclose their relationship and absent themselves from participation in personnel decisions in which a family or household member is involved. County employees are prohibited from supervising, or exercising authority with regard to personnel actions over a family member or household member. A Family Member or Household Member is defined as an individuals spouse or the individuals or spouses parent, domestic partner or Common Law Spouse, child, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, grandparent, grandchild, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, stepparent, stepchild, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother or half sister, whether the relative is related to the individuals or the individuals spouse by blood, marriage or adoption. Dating and Consensual Relationships. The policy concerning spouses who work in the same agency is also applicable to non-related individuals who share the same household with the same financial interdependence that may create a conflict in spousal situations. In the case of individuals involved in a dating relationship, in situations where the County employee
Effective: 07/01/07

COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON
EASTON, PA Employee Policies Manual
Code: Section:

2 of 2

3.113 Employment

Nepotism
had official involvement in a matter affecting the individual with whom he/she had a dating relationship is prohibited. The County realizes that there may be existing employment relationships that run counter to this policy. It is the purpose of this policy to avoid creating any new situations where relatives are employed in "sphere of influence" relationships. In these existing situations, supervisors and employees will be expected to fulfill the spirit of this policy by excluding themselves from participation in personnel decisions in which a relative is involved and exploring the possibility of transfers or assigning job duties so as to minimize problems of supervision, security, or morale. Correction of Errors Corrections of errors may occur when discovered and shall be retroactive. Neither the County nor the employee may benefit by errors in application or interpretation of County policies, practices, or procedures. Exceptions Exceptions to this policy may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Such written exceptions must be submitted to the Director of Human Resources and approved by the County Executive and shall be considered a one-time, non-precedential, exception and not the establishment of a past practice. Exceptions made without written approval as described above shall be invalid. References to other policies Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest

Approved by:

__Signature on file in Human Resources_ John Stoffa, County Executive

_June 26, 2007 Date

Effective: 07/01/07