2255-7

Outside Employment

Commissioner's Policy

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The provision of mobility for the citizens of the State of Georgia is a difficult responsibility which requires the services of dedicated, full-time employees. Due to the nature of operations, it is frequently necessary for Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) employees to report for or remain at duty at work hours other than those observed by many other state employees. Accordingly, outside employment by GDOT personnel is not encouraged. The department does, however, recognize that employees may be compelled to seek additional, outside employment as a means to support their individual and/or family needs.

Employees should exercise extraordinary care to ensure that they do not engage in outside work which is, or is likely to cause, a conflict of interest between their duties and responsibilities as a GDOT employee and their responsibility to their client or other employers.

Notification:

To assist employees in exercising the appropriate care, it is the policy of the GDOT that all employees who are engaged in employment outside the GDOT notify the appropriate Office Head/District Engineer. The notification must be in writing and shall include:

1. The type of employment;
2. The name and owner of the firm which has engaged the employee;
3. The place of employment; and,
4. The work schedule of the employment.

GDOT Responsibilities:

While it is not GDOT policy that outside employment be prohibited, employees may not engage in outside employment which consists of performing work which is the responsibility of the Department.

For example, a GDOT employee may not repair a driveway for a private citizen along the right-of-way when such work is actually the state's responsibility and should be performed by the Department's maintenance work force. Nor shall an employee accept employment from an individual citizen or firm to review or prepare plans required for commercial driveways or other encroachment permits.

Prohibitions:

The policy is not intended to harass or impose undue hardships on employees of the GDOT, but rather to protect employees from even the appearance of possible conflict of interest, to ensure the property rights and integrity of the GDOT and to protect the interests of the taxpayers of the State of Georgia.

The following prohibitions regarding outside employment shall be strictly adhered to and any violation may result in adverse actions which may include dismissal:

1. Use of any state-owned equipment, supplies or state time is expressly prohibited for other than official business. This includes but is not limited to buildings, telephones, drafting tables and instruments, duplicating/copying equipment, supplies, vehicles, survey instruments or equipment, computers, etc.
2. Outside employment shall not interfere with an employee's normal duties as a GDOT employee, nor with required official travel as an employee of the Department.
3. No leave of absence shall be granted so that an employee may engage in outside employment.
4. No employee shall engage in outside employment while on any type of paid leave or while utilizing accrued compensatory time without the express permission of the Office Head/District Engineer.
5. GDOT employees shall not use their positions with the Department as an unfair advantage in securing work which would normally be done by other private firms or individuals.

Supervisor Responsibilities: Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all employees under their supervision are fully aware of all provisions of these policies and that those employees are in full compliance.

Reference:

Standards of Conduct, TOPPS 2255-1
Code of Ethics for Government Service, O.C.G.A. 45-10-1
Conflicts of Interest, O.C.G.A. 45-10-20 et.seq.
Executive Order dated January 13, 2003

Document History:

• added to Manual of Guidance: 06/22/76
• added to TOPPS: 12/29/95
• revised: 04/04/05
• reviewed: 06/08/07

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