Public Commons

In May 2011, City management stated that siblings should not work at the same park. E.g. If one employee works at Dufferin Grove, that person's sibling should work at MacGregor or another park.

So, we revisited the conflict of interest policy, and, after an initial suggestion that an “appearance of conflict” might apply, we concluded it does not. The key issue is the same as in our initial analysis of conflict when it was raised in 2009.

And, our response is the same. The essential focus of the policy pertains “to employees who are in a position to make or influence decisions of the organization."

In this case, as an experienced staff person at Dufferin pointed out, none of the siblings have any key supervisory powers - they don't enter pay, discipline, sign hiring forms, or schedule.

Here are the excerpts from the policy that apply to the issue of siblings: Conflict Of Interest Policy

Conflict of Interest

Approved by City Council (Clause 20, Report No.16 Administration Committee)

Date Approved August 4, 2000

Policy Statement

Employees of the City of Toronto are expected to conduct themselves with personal integrity, ethics, honesty and diligence in performing their duties for the organization. Employees are required to support and advance the interests of the organization and avoid placing themselves in situations where their personal interests actually or potentially conflict with the interests of the City.

Application

This policy applies to all City of Toronto employees. The standards outlined in this policy are particularly relevant to employees who are in a position to make or influence decisions of the organization.

Definition

A conflict of interest refers to a situation in which private interests or personal considerations may affect an employee's judgement in acting in the best interest of the City of Toronto. It includes using an employee's position, confidential information or corporate time, material or facilities for private gain or advancement or the expectation of private gain or advancement. A conflict may occur when an interest benefits any member of the employee's family, friends or business associates.

Conditions

The rules and examples that follow do not exhaust the possibilities for conflict of interest, but they identify obvious situations covered by the policy.

Special Treatment Employees are not allowed to use their positions to give anyone special treatment that would advance their own interests or that of any member of the employee's family, their friends or business associates.