UNIFORM NEPOTISM POLICY

SECTION 1: Story Title.

This policy shall be known and may be cited as the "Benton County Employees Uniform Nepotism Policy"

SECTION 2: Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires

(1) "Governmental entity" means Benton County or any agency, authority, board, commission, department, or office of Benton County or an office of an elected county official; and

(2) "Relative" means a parent, foster parent, parent-in-law, child, spouse, brother, foster brother, sister, foster sister, grandparent, grandchild, son-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, or other family member who resides in the same household; and

(3) "County employee" means any person who is employed by a governmental entity.

SECTION 3: Direct supervision of relatives prohibited.

Within each governmental entity, no county employees who are relatives shall be placed within the same direct line of supervision whereby one (1) relative is responsible for supervising the job performance or work activities of another relative; provided, that to the extent possible, the provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to prohibit two (2) or more such relatives from working within the same county governmental entity.

SECTION 4: Transfer of spouses.

When as a result of a marriage, county employees are in violation of the prohibition established by section 2; such violation shall be resolved by means of such transfer within the governmental entity, transfer to another governmental entity, or resignation as may be necessary to remove such violation. The appointing authority of such governmental entity shall advise the employees of each of the alternatives available to remove such violation. Such employees shall be given the opportunity to select among such available alternatives. If such employees are unable to agree upon any such alternative within sixty (60) days, then the appointing authority shall take appropriate action to remove such violation.

SECTION 5: Prospective application of policy.

The prohibition established by Section 3 shall not be applied retroactively, but shall be adhered to by each employer in all appointing, hiring and employee transactions subsequent to this being approved y the Benton County Commission.

SECTION 6: Conflicting nepotism policies prohibited.

The provisions of this act shall be applied uniformly and shall constitute the nepotism policy of each governmental entity. No such governmental entity shall adopt a nepotism policy which conflicts with the provisions of this policy.