| Outside Employment | The University of Memphis encourages its faculty and staff to undertake consulting and similar external employment for which they are qualified and that does not interfere with University responsibilities. However, faculty and staff should not provide consulting services to an external organization when those services would conflict or be in competition with services offered by the University itself.
Prior to undertaking any outside employment, faculty and staff will notify their department head of the nature of the employment and the expected commitment of time. The following outside activities are not considered to be covered by the provisions in this policy: (1) normal short-term professional activities, such as participation in symposia, accreditation visits, speaking engagements, exhibitions, or recitals, even though honoraria may be received or (2) activities carried on outside the employment contract period or while on leave from the University.
Outside Employment by Faculty and Administrative/Professionals:
- Formal approval from the appropriate dean or director must be obtained when the aggregate amount of outside employment or consulting exceeds eight hours in the calendar month. However, prior notice of outside employment or consulting that will amount to less than eight hours in a calendar month shall be expected.
- Before faculty members and administrative/professional staff begin outside employment, they must obtain the written approval of the department head and dean or director on a Request for Outside Employment/Consulting for Faculty and Administrative/Professionals form found under Records at http://bf.memphis.edu/forms/hr.htm. If the department head does not approve the proposed employment, the employee may seek approval from the dean of the college or the appropriate vice president. In the unlikely event a dispute develops regarding approval, faculty may contact the Faculty Ombudsperson, and administrative/professionals may contact the Manager of Employee Relations in Human Resources for assistance in resolving the conflict.
- When seeking approval, submit separate forms for each type of service requiring a major commitment of time. A similar service rendered to several clients may be shown on a single form if each client requires only a minor commitment of time, as in many instances of professional consulting, private lessons, tax preparation, etc.
- University property and facilities, e.g., offices, equipment, telephones, computers services, etc., may not be used in outside employment unless the use has been approved in advance. If such arrangements are approved, compensation to the University may be required at rates established by the University. University titles, offices, addresses, and telephone numbers may not be used in city directories for the purpose of publicizing non-University interests.
- Consultants must make clear to any employer that the work to be performed has no official connections with the University. The University cannot assume any responsibility for private consulting services provided by members of its faculty or staff.
- Outside employment that involves other agencies of Tennessee state government, including institutions of higher education, is subject to prior approval by both the president of The University of Memphis, or a designee, and the appropriate representative of the other agency. The two institutions will execute a Dual Services Agreement (see procedure above).
- Outside employment must not result in any conflict of interest and must not interfere with any University teaching, research, service assignments, or administrative/professional duties. If outside employment conflicts with a faculty member's teaching schedule, specific arrangements for the classes must be approved by the department chair. Teaching, research, or service assignments should not be made principally for the convenience of faculty members wishing to engage in outside employment.
- Administrative officers, including department chairs, may not employ through outside consulting or business activities, or be employed by, a faculty or staff member over whom they have direct supervision.
Outside Employment by Clerical/Support Staff:
Occasionally Clerical/Support staff have second jobs or engage in temporary work. Staff may engage in outside employment so long as doing so does not create a conflict of interest or interfere with their commitment to their job at The University of Memphis, which is considered to be the primary employer of full-time employees.
- Formal approval to work a second job on a permanent or temporary basis is not required, but staff are expected to notify their supervisors in the form of a written memo that identifies the outside employer by name and describes the type of work and schedule requirements of the outside job.
- Outside employment must not result in any conflict of interest with the UofM image or mission.
- Outside employment must not interfere with the employee's ability to perform UofM job duties or meet work schedules.
- University property and facilities, e.g., offices, equipment, telephones, computers, etc., may not be used in the course of outside employment.
- If staff perform any work for another TBR institution or a Tennessee state agency, a Dual Services Agreement between the UofM and the other party is required.
- Staff may not engage in outside employment with another staff member with whom there is a reporting relationship at the UofM. Example: A secretary may not perform outside employment as a bookkeeper at a consulting firm owned by her UofM supervisor.
- Staff may not represent themselves in outside employment as having any official connection to the UofM.
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