2255-2

Nepotism

Commissioner's Policy

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The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) seeks to employ the best qualified applicants for positions and to further the careers of current employees regardless of whether they have relatives already employed in the Department.

Applicability:

This policy applies to all employees, consultants and independent contractors.

Definition:

For the purpose of this policy, “relative” means any of the following:

• Spouse;
• Child/Grandchild (includes biological, adopted or foster child, stepchild, legal ward, or child for whom the employee stands in loco parentis);
• Sister/Brother (includes step/half relationships);
• Parent/Grandparent (includes step relationships);
• Aunt/Uncle;
• Niece/Nephew;
• First Cousin;
• Immediate in-law (i.e., mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law or son-in-law); or,
• Guardian (as defined by law).

Commissioner and Board Members:

In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 32-2-41(b)(1), the Commissioner may not employ any person who is related within the second degree of consanguinity to the Commissioner or any member of the Board. The term ‘second degree of consanguinity’ includes all elements of the definition in the above section except for immediate in-law and guardian. The employment prohibition shall not be applied so as to terminate the employment of any person employed before the election of a member of the Board or the appointment of the Commissioner.

Management:

Relatives shall not be employed or placed in positions or situations in which a supervisor – subordinate relationship will exist between the relatives. In addition, Office Heads/District Engineers shall make every effort to insure that employees who are closely related are not placed in assignments where they may be subjected to criticism because of the possibility of work-related conflicts or preferential treatment.

As an example, father and son, sisters or brothers should not be placed in the same work unit. In instances where management suspects that a conflict may arise as a result of the hiring, promotion or transfer process, such placement should be reviewed by the Office of Personnel which shall forward a recommendation for approval/denial to the Commissioner.

Employees:

No employee of the GDOT shall advocate for or cause the advancement, appointment, employment, promotion, or transfer of a relative to any position with the GDOT or any other agency of state government.

Reference:

Standards of Conduct, TOPPS 2255-1
Code of Ethics for Government Service, O.C.G.A. 45-10-1
Executive Order dated January 13, 2003

Document History:

• added to Manual of Guidance: 11/29/72
• added to TOPPS: 12/28/95
• revised: 04/04/05
• reviewed: 06/08/07

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