Does this smack of Nepotism?

[FAB1]

The way where you work may be organized differently but here we have several main operational "branches" (each branch is assigned different functions). Anyway the title of the head of a branch is Branch Chief and that person would have under them an Asst. Branch Chief and varioius Section Chiefs (sounds kinda like the Navy?) and then supervisors of the individual work Units.

That background info I provided so you would have a better idea how to make a determination and here is the scenario...

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.

 

[burrocrat]

aren't we all just one big family?

 

[FAB1]

aren't we all just one big family?

Thanks a lot burro.

Now for the first intellegent response...

 

[pmcint01]

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!

 

[jpcavin]

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.

View attachment 10800

 

[FAB1]

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.

 

[FAB1]

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??

 

[Frixxxx]

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.

 

[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?

 

[FAB1]

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!!!!

 

[FAB1]

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.

 

[jpcavin]

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.

 

[jpcavin]

FAB, are you trying to be the Top Poster today? Trying to beat me? Good luck. I have a mission and a vision. 500

 

[alevin]

It would create a difficult situation for both the branch chief and unit supervisor, but its not nepotism.

If the couple decides to make life difficult for the unit supervisor, they can make it miserable. seen it happen. doesn't mean unit supervisor loses job, but may want to go find a different job to reduce stress levels.

the couple would have a hard time making life miserable for branch chief other than indirectly through unit supervisor's misery. The secretary would be wise not to try to influence branch chief, might get themselves reassigned to make branch chief's life easier.

powerplay from below against supervisor isn't nepotism, either way. nepotism is power from above favoring someone related to the power-over person.

 

[FAB1]

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.

Okay, so if I read you correctly you are saying the unit employee might be able to influence the branch office/management against the lower level supervisors -- using clout via the spouse that is Secretary to pull strings and control?

I can see that, BUT that is something that just MIGHT happen if they were assigned to the same branch as the branch Secretary.

Its not a given.

And should the Branch chief try to block the assignment, because of some "fear" or desire themself to control something that they feel MIGHT be a problem or threat??

I think its reaching when you micro-manage to this extent. Allow the assignment and deal with problems, IF THEY OCCUR.

Anything else to me is overt control and stepping on employee rights because if a REGULATION isnt being violated then the branch chief hasnt got the right to interfere.

 

[jpcavin]

Okay, this is getting too complicated. I thought you said it was the same chain of command. I belief management has every right to squash anything that may be perceived improper and potentialy lead to conflict of interest. Not saying I am right....Just saying what I belief. I dind't learn anything in HR.

 

[FAB1]

Okay, this is getting too complicated. I thought you said it was the same chain of command. I belief management has every right to squash anything that may be perceived improper and potentialy lead to conflict of interest. Not saying I am right....Just saying what I belief. I dind't learn anything in HR.

Oh you have a right to believe what you believe, I wanted some feedback, yours is appreciated.

Too often though I have seen managers take liberties outside the regs.

I am a stickler for the rules - show me the reg, thats what I say.

If manager can do as they please, when they please based on fear or emotions the rules are worth spit.

Besides, in THIS situation it is the Branch Chief that would be the key person to ALLOW or NOT allow any favoritism to the Secretarys spouse out in the work unit.

So it is the B-Chief's integrity or lack of it, that would determine if things are fair or not.

It would be other employees that might not like the assignment and so the Chief might base a decision to prevent the assignment to "keep the masses" happy??

Then again if manager can do as they please, and they often do - the worried employees can go pound sand as long as no rules of nepotism are violated.

 

[Buster]

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?

NO!..it's luck they both have a job and can car pool together, with no conflicts of interests.

I've seen husband/wife deals all the time in the FAA..in AF and ATC...even on same shifts.

 

[jpcavin]

NO!..it's luck they both have a job and can car pool together, with no conflicts of interests.

I've seen husband/wife deals all the time in the FAA..in AF and ATC...even on same shifts.

I like the car pool thing but it wouldn't work. Eventually the woman will be late because she can't decide what to wear or the make-up looks all wrong..and, well, you know. The husband flies off the handle and tells the woman to get her own ride!:laugh: