604 Outside Employment

Outside employment may be restricted to prevent interference with efficient County service.

The work of the County shall have precedence over other occupational interests of employees.  Permission to engage in gainful outside employment or self-employment must be requested in writing by the employee and approved by the employee's department head.  The purpose of this approval procedure is to determine that the secondary employment does not have an adverse effect upon County work and does not create a conflict of interest.  The request shall be granted, unless it appears that the outside employment or self-employment creates a conflict of interest or is likely to prevent the employee from efficiently discharging his duties to the County.  Failure to request and obtain permission shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including dismissal.  Outside employment or self-employment, whether approved or not, which creates a conflict of interest or prevents the employee from efficiently discharging his duties to the County shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including dismissal.

Any employee who has received permission for employment outside Wake County Government and subsequently becomes unable to come to work at the County due to sickness or injury must reapply in writing for permission to continue other employment during the time he is unable to come to work at the County.  Failure to follow this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Additional Provisions for Employees Engaged in Regulatory Enforcement or Inspection Work

In addition to the requirements outlined above, a regulatory inspector or enforcement agent must obtain written approval from his department head prior to engaging in any project work inside the geographic boundaries of Wake County that involves his labor, materials, or financial interest.  The request must be submitted in writing to the department head for each project and be of sufficient detail such that a determination can be made that the outside activity will not create a conflict of interest, abuse of authority, or prevent an efficient discharge of County functions.

Failure to request and obtain prior permission or to fully and accurately describe the nature and extent of the activity shall be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.  Permission will not be granted for any project, whether compensated or uncompensated, that creates an actual or apparent conflict of interest or a substantial opportunity for abuse of the employee's official authority.

Revised 07/16/02