EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES Update Delete



It is the university’s policy to assure that all employees, including students, are hired, promoted and supervised on the basis of individual merit. The university is concerned about the adverse effects of nepotism, which is the showing of favoritism toward a relative or related person.

Employees are prohibited from having a supervisory relationship or a position of influence in the same area as an employee or student who is his/her relative. *The hiring of two relatives, e.g. parents and students, to be supervised by the same departmental director/manager, is also prohibited. For the purposes of this policy, a “relative” means a father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, cousin, in-laws, and step-relatives. The university reserves the right to make the final determination regarding whether an employee is “related” to another employee or applicant.

If a working relationship contrary to this policy is created due to promotion, transfer, marriage or other circumstances, the affected individuals will be provided a reasonable time period in the discretion of the university to voluntarily comply with this policy. The university cannot guarantee that transfer or reassignment requests would be approved. Transfers will be based on the university’s needs and available positions. If the situation is not resolved voluntarily by the employees, Human Resources will take appropriate action to achieve compliance with this policy.

Exceptions to this policy would require approval of the Human Resources Committee and appeals to this exception should be presented to Administrative Council.

Process for obtaining an exception to policy for student employment:

  • The job (vacant position) should be made available to all potential student applicants and must be posted for a minimum of three (3) weekdays on the Student Job Board. Resumes/applications will be collected by the Human Resources department.
  • In order to provide equity to all applicants, the Human Resources Committee will perform a blind/redacted review of resumes/applications to determine the most qualified student, taking into account experience, academics, field of study, and references. Preference may be given to those students whose academic majors are in the field/department where the job is located or if the position related to their study will advance their academic or professional career.

*The hiring of two related students to be supervised by the same departmental director/manager is permissible.