The general permitted limit to external commitments is one day per calendar week, never to conflict with the employee's scheduled classes or other duties and responsibilities. Includes spouse and dependent children. Children, for the purposes of this policy, include adopted, step, and foster children, as well as natural sons and daughters. A payment for speech, lecture, or services on which, by custom or agreement, a specific price may not be set. For the purposes of this policy, this definition includes any payment from an outside entity for services such as making a speech, teaching a class or workshop, or providing consulting services.
Individual laws prescribe the relationships covered in specific provisions.
An employee should assume that anyone having business with the university as a client, contractor, or vendor is likely to be seen as attempting to curry favor if that person provides any gift or benefit to the employee. More detailed directives related to conflict of interest may be found in Board of Regents Policy 49.08 and UH System Administrative Memorandum 02.A.09 . A university employee commits the criminal offense of bribery if the employee solicits, offers, or accepts any benefit in exchange for a decision, opinion, recommendation, vote, or other exercise of discretion by the employee. Similarly, no employee shall accept other employment or engage in any business or professional activity that foreseeably might require or induce the employee to disclose confidential information acquired through his or her position. Interaction between employees and external entities for reasonable periods of time and for personal remuneration may be desirable when the relationship benefits the university, enhances the professional skills of the employee, or constitutes a public service.