It depends. The Merit System Protection Board defines nepotism as “patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship.” It is prohibited by both criminal and administrative laws, and employees may not be involved in the hiring of their relatives. A relative includes: a “father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother or half-sister.” If you are a federal employee whose relative is applying for a position or are applying for a position where a relative works, make sure that the employed relative does not exercise improper influence in the selection process.