PURPOSE/AUTHORITY:

To outline University procedure on the hiring of relatives and provide a definition of relatives as provided by the West Virginia Board of Trustees, Classified Employee Handbook, section 2.3.

WHO IS COVERED:

All faculty, FE/AP, classified, and non-classified employees are covered under this policy.

HIRING OF RELATIVES:

The employment of relatives in the same lines of authority may cause serious conflicts and problems with favoritism and employee morale. In addition to claims of partiality in treatment at work, personal conflicts from outside the work environment can be carried into the daily working relationship.

Relatives of persons currently employed by the University may be hired only if they will not be working directly for or supervising a relative or will not occupy a position in the same line of authority where decisions involving a direct benefit to the relative may occur. Such decisions include but are not limited to initial appointment, retention, promotion, salary, and leave of absence.

RELATIVES DEFINED:

For the purpose of this policy relatives are defined as follows:

Relationships by Blood: Parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, first cousin.

Relationship by Marriage: Husband, wife, step-parent, stepchild, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, half-brother, half-sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece.

EXCEPTION:

Student employment on a part-time basis, workstudy, or payment to students in the form of scholarships will not be interpreted as employment for these purposes.

PROCESS ITEM:

Prior to the employment offer, the immediate supervisor must complete a signed statement certifying that he/she is not hiring a relative. This form must accompany the signed referral forms that are submitted to the Employment Unit before the job offer is made. Failure to submit the certification statement will result in the delay of the job offer until the statement is submitted.

New hire actions include internal transfer/promotions of existing employees.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP CHANGES:

Deans/Directors are responsible for monitoring changes in employee reporting relations after initial hire into the College/Department to ensure compliance with this policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Additional information or questions regarding hiring of relatives for staff positions can be obtained by contacting the Employee Relations Unit in the Division of Human Resources at 293-5700 x5. Questions regarding hiring of relatives as it pertains to faculty should be directed to the Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development at 293-2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 1, 1999

WVU POLICY REFERENCE: http://www.wvu.edu/~adminfin/policies/hr_policies/WVU-HR-18.html