Yesterday’s Ethics Question of the Day Answer

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Thank you for participating in yesterday’s ethics question as we focus this week on CELEBRATING Our ETHICAL CULTURE.  Listed below is the answer to yesterday’s ethics question.

Yesterday’s question concerned the USG’s Conflicts of Interest, Conflict of Commitment and Outside Activities policy.

Q:      Which of the following statements are true regarding USG employees seeking to engage in side jobs, outside consulting and other outside employment?

  1. Prior written approval is needed for compensated, outside employment that relates to the employee’s responsibilities as a USG employee.
  2. Employees who work less than 30 hours per week do not need prior written approval to engage in outside employment so long as the outside activity does not create a conflict of interest or otherwise violate Board policy.
  3. USG institution employees are generally prohibited from consulting with or otherwise receiving compensation from a current vendor of, or an entity seeking a vendor relationship with, the USG institution where the employee works.
  4. All of the above.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.  The Board of Regents policy on Conflicts of Interest, Conflict of Commitment and Outside Activities encourages employees to participate in professional activity that do not interfere with the regular and punctual discharge of official duties. This policy also requires USG employee with a work commitment of 30 or more hours per week and faculty members on contracts of nine months or more to obtain written approval prior to engaging in compensated outside activities that relate to the employee’s expertise or responsibilities as a USG employee.

Additionally, USG employees are generally prohibited from consulting with or otherwise receiving compensation from a current vendor of, or an entity seeking a vendor relationship with, the USG institution where the employee works.  Also, non-faculty employees may not receive Honoraria for activities during the employee’s work hours.  For more information, please reference the Board of Regents policy on Conflicts of Interest, Conflict of Commitment and Outside Activities or the USG Web Resource Page on conflicts of interest, conflicts of commitment and outside activities.

You are welcome to reach out to Human Resources with any questions you might have.