Thread: Does this smack of Nepotism?

aren't we all just one big family?

Originally Posted by burrocrat

aren't we all just one big family?

Thanks a lot burro.

Now for the first intellegent response...

I know that you can't supervise someone you are related to. So if the spouse is in a management position above the secretary that is a problem. We don't have thet here, but we do have management giving all the promotions to their buddies or people who are "popular" rather than based on merit. Even have one manager getting his fiance set up with a 13 posistion before they get married. She only been here 2 years.
That kind of bs politics really gets me steamed up!

It may or may not be. I see it all the time but hard to prove. What if the spouse was the most qualified for the position out of all the applicants? And I doubt the secretary would be in the spouses chain of command. They may report to the same person but they wouldn't report to each other.. There you go..that's my best answer for now.

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OK the two employees concerned here if it wasnt clear are: Secretary (of branch chief) and employee whos duty station is in the same Branch working under a unit supervisor.

My understanding is that you cant have a NEAR RELATIVE /SPOUSE above you in the chain of command. The Secretary is a non-managerial, and non bargining unit position and reports directly to the Branch chief.

Now since you mentioned favoritism, and that is RAMPANT all over government - could a conflict of interest exist because the Secretary is close to the Branch Chief, could the spouse get preferitial treatment?

I'll let you think about that.

Technically, I dont see how this meets the definition of Nepotism.

The Secretary isnt in a position to write a personnel action that could benefit the spouse.

SO.

Answer me this.

If the branch chief still thought there was a conflict of interest, or they just didnt like the arrangement of the spouse working in close proximity to their Secretary - would the branch chief be WRONG to try and prevent the spouse from getting a position in that branch??

Originally Posted by FAB1

If an employee was the spouse of the branch chief secretary, with their duty station in the same branch (same chain of command as branch chief) do you feel that falls under nepotism?

I will respond to your discussions with how I see it.

To clarify what I think you're saying: An existing employee is now the spouse of a Branch Chief Secretary. This person works for the same branch the secretary works for?

If so, only if they got the position because of their status as a spouse and not their merit.

I am venturing a guess that you feel that they are there only because of who they know and not their merits?

The conflict of interest comes when a DIRECT relative or spouse is reporting in the chain.

I would have to agree with a conflict of interest. If the unit supervisor treats or does something that the spouse did not like.... The secretary could complain to the Chief and get the unit supervisor fired. Or, even if the spouse does not complain, the unit supervisor may not be able to fully exercise his authority. He may think that he has to treat the spouse "special" for fear of losing his job which could have an impact on the mission.

Better?

Originally Posted by Frixxxx

To clarify what I think you're saying: An existing employee is now the spouse of a Branch Chief Secretary. This person works for the same branch the secretary works for?

If so, only if they got the position because of their status as a spouse and not their merit.

I am venturing a guess that you feel that they are there only because of who they know and not their merits?

The conflict of interest comes when a DIRECT relative or spouse is reporting in the chain.

No please consider this as hypothetical

In fact I should have mentioned, NO promotion is involved. the spouse did not compete for a job.

They wanted to be reassigned in the same branch as the Secretary, the branch chief, however didnt approve of it.

So is their merit in such a disappoval, do you think it is inappropriate for the spouse to be assigned to that same branch as his wife?

Hope that helps!!!!

Originally Posted by jpcavin

I would have to agree with a conflict of interest. If the unit supervisor treats or does something that the spouse did not like.... The secretary could complain to the Chief and get the unit supervisor fired. Or, even if the spouse does not complain, the unit supervisor may not be able to fully exercise his authority. He may think that he has to treat the spouse "special" for fear of losing his job which could have an impact on the mission.

Better?

Ok, but read my last post, this isnt a competetive situation, just reassignment. you have a point, there.

Originally Posted by FAB1

Ok, but read my last post, this isnt a competetive situation, just reassignment. you have a point, there.

I read. It does not matter if it's competitive or not. The spouse could get preferential treatment over the unit supervisor depriving the supervisor of any authority.