Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

31170.4.7 Conduct of Employees with Family or Personal Relationships with Competitors

• To avoid the appearance of improper influence, employees with a family or personal relationship to any competitor shall not participate in any phase of the examination process, including but not limited to:

  • Planning.

  • Application review of minimum qualifications.

  • Question development.

  • Written examination proctor.

  • Organizational review committee (ORCOrganizational Review Committee).

  • Qualifications Appraisal (QAPQualification Appraisal)

  • Serve as a rating or reviewing supervisor of the competitor.

  • Participate in discussions or ratings of the competitor.

• If an employee serving on an ORCOrganizational Review Committee, QAPQualification Appraisal, or participating in the discussion or rating of competitors finds one of the competitors is one with whom they have a family or close relationship, the employee shall not participate in the interview, observation, discussion, or rating of the competitor by leaving the room.

• If serving in any capacity in the examination or hiring process an employee discovers a competitor with whom they have a family or close relationship, the employee shall contact PES for direction.

• Employees selected to participate in the state civil service examination process shall maintain the competitive and confidential nature of the examination process. Any appearance of improper influence could jeopardize the integrity of the examination resulting in examination appeals from the candidate group and, ultimately, grounds to void an examination.

• Violation of the provisions of this section:

  • May result in criminal prosecution.

  • Shall be cause for adverse action.