If you see or suspect unethical or illegal behavior in violation of the Alabama Ethics Law, report your concerns to your department chair, Dean’s office, or anonymously through the UAB Hotline opens a new website.
If the University becomes aware of a violation of the Alabama Ethics Law, it must report the matter to the State Ethics Commission opens a new website.
Alabama Code, Section 41-1-5 opens a new website, prohibits an employee of UAB from hiring or entering into a personal service contract with any person related to them within the fourth degree to any job with UAB. If this rule is violated, the appointment is deemed void and the person can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $500 and imprisoned for up to one year.
UAB policy provides that individuals who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, or who reside in the same household are permitted to work in the same department provided no nepotistic conduct occurs and a nepotism management plan is created. For more information on what constitutes nepotistic conduct, review Nepotism – HR Policy 123 opens a new website and Nepotism at UAB opens a new website.
Additional information on Conflicts of Interest is available in University of Alabama System Board Rule 106 opens a new website and UAB Enterprise Conflict of Interest Conflict of Commitment Policy opens a new website.
According to University of Alabama Board Rule 304 opens a new website, all UAB employees and faculty are prohibited from the use, or appearance of the use, of the UAB name or resources in support of a political campaign or organization. This rule recognizes the civil and political rights and responsibilities of UAB personnel and encourages them to fulfill their responsibilities as private citizens. It prohibits, however, the use or appearance of use of UAB resources, time, or property for or on behalf of any political candidate, campaign, or organization or for any contribution or solicitation of any contribution to a political campaign or organization.
No UAB employee shall lend or appear to lend the support of UAB in connection with any contribution or solicitation of any contribution to a political campaign or organization. When an employee is involved in political activity, it is incumbent upon them to make clear that they are acting in a private and individual capacity and that their activities have neither UAB sponsorship nor support.
UAB employees may not seek or hold public office and remain employed at UAB if such activities could or would result in a conflict of interest or interfere with the employee carrying out his University responsibilities. Employees who intend to seek election to public office must first obtain written consent from the University of Alabama Chancellor through appropriate reporting channels.
Intellectual property generated during the course of your employment may also be owned by UAB. Become familiar with the following patent, copyright, and intellectual property policies:
- UAB Enterprise Conflict of Interest Conflict of Commitment Policy opens a new website
- Patent Policy opens a new website – Board Rule 509
- Copyright Policy opens a new website
- Expectations for Research Sponsors – IRB Policy 005 opens a new website
- 3.9 Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights (Patent Policy) opens a new website – Faculty Handbook
- 3.10 Copyright opens a new website– Faculty Handbook
Please note that UAB policies require disclosure of intellectual property opens a new website developed using UAB funds or resources.
As a state-funded entity, employees are prohibited from throwing away or discarding UAB property. When items are no longer useful to a department, they may be sent to the Surplus Warehouse opens a new website and then sold to the public. The only way an item that was purchased with state funds can be sold is to offer it to the general public through a public auction. For more information, review UAB’s policies on: