Skip to main content
  • Duke@Work
  • About HR
  • Managers
Home

Human Resources

Search form

  • Careers
    • Search/Apply for Jobs
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Duke Temporary Service (DTS)
    • About Duke
    • Job Descriptions
    • Affirmative Action & Nondiscrimination
  • Benefits
    • Medical, Dental, & Vision Benefits
    • Reimbursement Accounts
    • Employee Discounts
    • Retirement Plans
    • Time Away From Duke
    • Educational Benefits
    • Family-Friendly Benefits
    • Financial Security Benefits
    • Benefits Unique to Duke
    • Employee Appreciation
    • Benefits Enrollment
    • Summary Plan Descriptions & Required Notices
  • Health & Wellness
    • Get Moving Challenge
    • LIVE FOR LIFE
    • Wellness Expo 2019
    • Health Assessments
    • Farmers Market
    • Mobile Farmers Market
    • Duke Fitness Club
    • Run/Walk Club
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Mental Health & Stress
    • Webinars
    • Personal Assistance Service (PAS)
    • Health Coaching Programs
    • Nutrition Programs
    • Tobacco Cessation
    • DukeWELL
    • Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW)
    • Workers' Compensation
  • Compensation
    • Pay Statements
    • Pay Schedules & Forms
    • Take Home Pay Calculator
    • Pay Ranges & Job Classifications
    • Overtime Changes
  • Training
    • Learning Management System
    • Course Offerings
    • Special Development Programs
    • Career Resource Center
    • Consulting & Organization Development
    • Location & Facilities
  • Policies
    • Recruitment, Hiring, & Transferring
    • Diversity & Institutional Equity
    • Workplace Expectations & Guidelines
    • Staff Development
    • Benefits
    • Pay Administration
    • Payroll
    • Time Away From Duke
    • Workplace Health & Safety
    • International
    • Definitions
  • Forms
    • Benefits Forms
    • Manager Forms

You are here

  • Home
  • Policies
  • Workplace Expectations & Guidelines
  • Conflict of Interest or Commitment

Conflict of Interest or Commitment Policy

Policy Information

Policy Number: 04.11
Issued Date: 07/01/2006

Related Links

  • Consensual Relationships
  • Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance

Policy Statement

Duke staff are required to ensure that no conflict of interest or a conflict of commitment interferes with their ability to perform their work for the benefit of the Duke community and its patients, students, and customers. It is the responsibility of every staff member to discuss with his or her supervisor or entity/department Human Resources representative and/or department head any activity that might result in a conflict of interest or conflict of commitment before participating in that activity.

Policy Details

Definitions

Duke defines "Conflict of Interest" and "Conflict of Commitment" as follows:

  • Conflict of Interest: A "Conflict of Interest" exists when a staff member has a relationship with an outside organization that can potentially bias the staff member in such a way that the staff member (or a member of the staff member’s immediate family) could potentially stand ultimately to benefit financially by his or her relationship to that outside organization.
  • Conflict of Commitment: A "Conflict of Commitment" exists when a staff member has a relationship that requires a commitment of time or effort to activities outside of work such that the staff member – either explicitly or implicitly – cannot meet expected work obligations at Duke. Any relationship with an outside organization that requires frequent and/or prolonged absence from Duke may represent a "Conflict of Commitment."

Staff with questions concerning either of these forms of conflict should first approach an immediate supervisor for guidance and then turn to Duke’s Internal Audit (613-7630) for further clarification of these issues.

Staff should not use their positions or knowledge gained from their positions in any way that could cause a material conflict to arise between the interests of Duke and that of the staff member. Any actual or threatened violation of this prohibition should be promptly disclosed.

Staff should not accept any material gifts, favors, or hospitality that might influence their decision-making processes or compromise their judgment in actions affecting Duke. Any actual or threatened violation of this prohibition should be promptly disclosed.

It is considered inappropriate for staff to make use of Duke property or other resources, including time, to advance personal interests or activities during the course of their employment at Duke.

Disclosure and Resolution

It is the responsibility of every staff member to discuss with his or her supervisor or entity/department Human Resources representative and/or department head any activity that might result in a conflict of interest or conflict of commitment before participating in that activity. The staff member will refrain from participation in the activity until it is determined that neither a conflict of interest nor commitment exists. Resolutions may include, for example, ceasing the activity, changing job duties, or changing hours or salary until the questionable activity is confirmed as non-compromising. All disclosures and their resolutions shall be documented and copies of the documentation will remain in the staff member’s department personnel file.

Policies

  • Recruitment, Hiring, & Transferring
    • Recruitment & Hiring
    • Transfers & Promotions
    • Eligibility for Rehire
    • Employment Status & Eligibility
    • Nepotism (Hiring of Relatives)
    • Trial Period
    • Orientation & Evaluation Period
    • Continuous Service Date
    • Reference & Background Checks
    • Retention of Search & Selection Records
    • Temporary Employment
    • Volunteer & Unpaid Intern Policy Guidelines
  • Diversity & Institutional Equity
    • Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action
    • Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Consensual Relationships
    • Harassment & Discrimination
  • Workplace Expectations & Guidelines
    • Standards of Conduct
    • Dispute Resolution Process
    • Leaving Duke: Voluntary and Involuntary
    • Reduction-in-Force
    • Workplace Attire
    • Severe Weather & Emergency Conditions
    • Personnel File Access
    • Duke Identification
    • Use of Computing & Electronic Resources
    • Conflict of Interest or Commitment
    • Confidentiality
    • Protected Health Information and Patient Privacy
    • Compliance
    • Non-Solicitation
    • Arrest or Conviction
    • Minors in Duke University Programs
    • Sexual Misconduct
  • Staff Development
    • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Benefits
    • Eligibility for Benefits
    • Enrolling & Making Changes in Benefits
    • Survivor's Benefits
    • Benefits in Retirement
  • Pay Administration
    • Pay Administration
    • University Pay Structure & Processes
    • Health System Pay Structure & Processes
    • Hours Worked
    • Zero Rate of Pay Employment Status
  • Payroll
    • Recording, Reporting & Payment of Work Time
    • Taxability of Awards & Gifts
  • Time Away From Duke
    • Maintenance of Time Off Records
    • Availability for Work
    • Corrective Action
    • Vacation for University Staff
    • Holidays for University Staff
    • Sick Leave for University Staff
    • Bereavement/Funeral Leave
    • Payout of Accrued Time (University)
    • DUHS: Paid Time Off
    • Payout of Accrued Time Upon Leaving DUHS
    • Transferring Between University & DUHS
    • Jury Duty
    • Voting
    • Kiel Memorial Voluntary Vacation/PTO Donation Program
    • Leaves of Absence
      • Family Medical Leave Policy
      • Military Leave Policy
      • Paid Parental Leave Policy
      • Personal Leave Policy
    • Leave for Parent Involvement in Schools
    • Paid Parental Leave
  • Workplace Health & Safety
    • Safety
    • Smoking
    • Substance Abuse
    • Disability and Impairment
    • Criminal Drug Conviction
    • Pre-placement Health Reviews
    • Periodic Health Review
    • Pre-placement Substance Abuse Screening
    • Work-Related Injury/Illness
    • Workers Compensation
    • Returning to Work from a Work-Related Injury/Illness
    • Workplace Violence Prevention and Response
    • Prohibited Weapons
    • Building & Facilities Access
  • International
    • Education Allowance
    • Vaccinations / Travel Health Review
    • Travel Documentation
  • Definitions

Human Resources

Duke Human Resources
705 Broad St. Box 90496
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 684-5600
Have questions?

Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
Duke University
  • Duke University
  • Working@Duke