Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 340 - Department of Human Services
Chapter 2 - Administrative Components
Subchapter 1 - Human Resources Management Division
Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 340:2-1-8 - Employee ethics duties, conduct and secondary employment
Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024
(a) Employee duties and conduct, secondary employment, prohibition against use of position for personal gain, impartiality, and avoidance of conflicts of interest. All Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) employees are subject to appropriate corrective or disciplinary action if the employee fails to comply with this provision, the Ethics Rules, per Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or any other statute or regulation regarding employee ethics, duties, and conduct, including but not limited to Section 840-2.8 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes (74 O.S. § 840-2.8), Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 260:25-11-91, and OAC 260:130-19-50.
(b) Work hours. During work hours, every employee devotes full time and attention to OKDHS business. An employee may not use:
(c) Conflicts of interest and impartiality. An OKDHS employee avoids actual and perceived conflicts of interest. An OKDHS employee must inform his or her supervisors about, and be recused from, participation in any matter that would reasonably bring the employee's impartiality into question. Employees, specifically including local administrators or higher, and other decision makers, are strongly encouraged to consult with Legal Services for advice on determining any potential conflict of interest or impartiality concern. OKDHS has the sole authority to make conflicts of interest and impartiality determinations, and there is not a right to appeal or further contest such determinations.
(d) Secondary employment. An employee may accept other employment outside of his or her OKDHS regular work hours, provided such employment is approved in advance and does not create a conflict of interest, whether actual or perceived, regarding work for OKDHS.
(e) Related employees. Placement in a position that results in relatives, members of the same household, or comparably situated persons occupying positions within the same division must be approved in writing by the OKDHS Director. OKDHS may make placements and work assignments of personnel as necessary to eliminate or prevent situations of this nature.
Relative is defined as spouse, child, parent, stepparent, parent-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, brother, sister, stepchild, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin, or foster relationship. OKDHS policy prohibits, unless waived by the OKDHS Director or designee, the employment of any person in a position that results in:
(f) Processing applications for OKDHS benefits or services for an employee's relatives, persons living in the employee's home, or any other person with whom the employee has a personal relationship. Employees perform their duties in a manner that maintains impartiality, per subsection (c) of this Section.
(g) Client relationships. OKDHS employees assist clients in developing independence and self-sufficiency while recognizing their rights. A client is defined as a program applicant, recipient, patient, and any other person receiving or making application for OKDHS services. Clients' rights include, but are not limited to:
Added at 22 Ok Reg 1173, eff 6-1-05; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1292, eff 6-1-08; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1224, eff 7-1-12