Know the Code: Common Conflicts of Interest
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Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics. The mission of the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is to assist in fulfilling the County’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics and compliance.
By the Office of Ethics and Compliance
Conflicts of interest can have a profound effect on how an employee performs at work, including how they make decisions, and can—both directly and indirectly—impact the County and its success.
The County Code of Ethics, Section 6 addresses conflicts of interest and outlines the types of prohibited or incompatible activities employees should avoid. Most conflicts of interest are due to competing business interests, pressures from personal relationships, desire for influence and status, or inadvertent access and disclosures related to grants/awards/contracts.
Reporting these and other potential conflicts having to do with relatives working in the same department or relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors must be disclosed so they do not compromise the County employee’s objectivity, accountability or judgment.
If It’s Disclosed, It Can be Managed!
Be Proactive – ask before acting.
Maybe you’re thinking starting a business or doing some consulting because you’re an expert, or
Maybe you have been invited to join a professional association or board of directors that may ask you to participate in fundraising for the organization, or
Maybe you’re a newly assigned COR and you recognize a friend’s name in the list of vendors whose contracts you’ll be managing.
Ask before acting to make sure these activities and changes in circumstances do not create a conflict between your personal interests and professional responsibilities. Remember if it’s disclosed, then it can be managed properly to avoid the conflict.
Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics amd Compliance program events, training, and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos such as this month’s video for conflict of interest.
If you have questions about ethics and compliance training or how to access the training and other Ethics & Compliance resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-531-5174. HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Agency Compliance team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-338-2807.