Private and Financial Interests

1. Can I serve on a hiring panel if one of the applicants is a casual friend who once worked for me at my former job?
   
   Answer: Generally, yes. A former supervisory relationship or a casual friendship does not automatically require you to disqualify yourself serving on a hiring panel or from taking part in other City actions. In some cases, a former supervisory relationship can help the City better evaluate a potential employee.
   
   You should disclose the relationship to your fellow panelists and disqualify yourself from the panel if a reasonable person would think you cannot make a fair and impartial judgment.
   
   
2. My housemate owns a plumbing business and my City job is to inspect work done by plumbing companies. Can I inspect the work done by my housemate's business?
   
   Answer: No. Employees may not take part in City actions where they or an immediate family member have a financial or private interest. Since you stand to benefit from the financial status of someone in your household, you must disqualify yourself from participating in official actions regarding your housemate's business.
   
   
3. Can City employees serve on the boards of non-profit organizations that receive City funding?
   
   Answer: Generally, yes. However, a paid or unpaid leadership position with a non-profit, such as being on the board of directors, is considered having a "private interest" in the organization for purposes of the Ethics Code. City employees must disqualify themselves from City business or decisions that involve non-profit organizations on which they, or a close family member, hold a leadership position.

For the Ethics Code regulations about private interests and
impaired judgment, see SMC 4.16.070(1) or contact the SEEC for advice.