TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: New Board Policy 209: Nepotism
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of Board Policy 209: Nepotism.
Body
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of this policy.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Nepotism in the workplace is the practice of showing favoritism toward relatives or other closely associated individuals, especially through preferential hiring, promotion and other employment activities, solely based on relationship status and without regard to merit.
The District strives to ensure that equitable hiring and employment actions are applied at all times. To strengthen this commitment to equitable employment practices, staff is recommending the adoption of a new policy that prohibits nepotism.
The General Manager's Administrative Regulation (AR) No. 281 (now 209A), "Nepotism" was established February 1988. The AR was updated in February 2010 to expand the types of relationships at issue, the types of personnel actions covered by the regulation and to clarify management's role in the process.
Given the importance of ensuring fair employment, and to avoid favoritism or the perception of favoritism in the workplace, staff has developed a new Nepotism Policy. The new policy broadens the definition of the types of relationships, the types of personnel actions and the reporting relationships relevant to the policy. Staff plans to amend AR 209A to include procedures on how to resolve conflicts of interest that occur through hiring or personnel actions that may arise through familial or dating relationships.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Replacing the current AR with a new policy strengthens the District's commitment to addressing and preventing nepotism, or the perception of nepotism, at the District. A further advantage is that the policy updates and expands on the existing AR. There are no disadvantages to adopti...
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