Policies define relationship guidelines, visitation for family, friends in workplace

Avoiding perceived or real conflicts as a result of relationships between staff or between staff and students is the purpose of a human resource policy that went into effect over the summer. The policy also addresses the issue of visitors to the workplace.

The policy governing relationships in the workplace designates as inappropriate situations in which family members or one of the parties in a romantic or sexual relationship has influence or control over the other's condition of employment.

A family member is defined in the policy as spouse, domestic partner, daughter, son, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sister, brother, mother-in-law or father-in-law. The policy notes that conflicts of interest may arise involving other close relatives, such as aunts, uncles, cousins or relatives by marriage. The potential for any conflict should be disclosed in writing to the staff members' supervisors, the policy stipulates.

The policy also prohibits any sexual relationship between a student and a staff member who is in a position to exercise power or authority over the student, whether or not the relationship is consensual. Efforts by staff members to initiate such relationships are prohibited. The policy also states that consensual relationships between a student and a staff member who is not in a position to exercise direct power or authority over the student may also be inappropriate.

In cases in which an inappropriate situation exists because of a sexual or romantic relationship, the supervisor or staff member with control over the other's condition of employment is obligated to disclose the relationship to the department head or next level of administrator. The other staff member involved in the relationship is encouraged to disclose the relationship to the next level of administrator, the Office of Employee Relations or the Opportunity Development Center.

If a relationship is deemed to be inappropriate under the policy, appropriate action will be taken. Such action includes, but is not limited to, an agreed upon transfer, a change in shift, change in the reporting structure, employment improvement counseling or discharge. The action is to be taken by the department head or next administrative level in consultation with Employee Relations or the ODC.

The policy also addresses visits to the workplace by children, family members, associates or friends. Brief visits are welcome, according to the policy. However, children are not allowed to visit the workplace if their presence conflicts with department policy, federal or state law. Children may make visits to the workplace if approved by the employee's supervisor and if the visits do not interfere with a staff member's ability to perform his or her work functions or with the productivity of the work unit. Such visits should not be routine.