As a public institution, UAB employees who meet certain criteria are required to file an annual Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) with the Alabama Ethics Commission. The SEI should be filed annually in addition to any other disclosures required by UAB policy. For more information, including filing criteria and ways to file, visit the UAB Human Resources Alabama Ethics Requirement opens a new website webpage.

Public employees who are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests opens a new website are also required to participate in an online educational review opens a new website of the Alabama Ethics Law within 90 days of their hire date.

Information on the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Amendments to the Ethics Act opens a new website contain rules regarding conflicts of interest, public contracts, lobbying activities, and restrictions on gifts to public employees.

Public employees may not solicit or receive anything for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action, regardless of whether or not the thing solicited or received is a thing of value. Family members of public employees may not receive anything given to them for the purpose of corruptly influencing official action. No public employee shall, other than in the ordinary course of business, solicit a thing of value from a subordinate or person or business with whom he or she directly inspects, regulates, or supervises in his or her official capacity. Excluded from the definition of “thing of value” are meals at educational functions/workshops/widely attended functions or items or services of de minimis value, or meals under $25 (maximum of $50 per year).

The Alabama Ethics Law opens a new website says state employees cannot receive personal gain for themselves or members of their families as a result of their state employment. Some actions that may have implications under this provision of the Alabama Ethics Law are:

• UAB employees selling instructor editions or complementary copies of textbooks provided by textbook publishing companies
• UAB employees selling faculty-staff athletics tickets for more than the employee paid for them or giving faculty-staff athletics tickets to anyone and receiving something of value in return
• Using UAB property or personnel for the purpose of compensation from sources external to UAB or for other private benefit
• Using or permitting the use of UAB’s name in a way that would suggest the activity is sponsored or endorsed by UAB
• Entering into a contact with a business associated with a UAB employee or a family member of a UAB employee that will be paid for using government funds, unless the contract has been awarded through the state’s competitive bidding process

It is a violation of the UAB Enterprise Code of Conduct opens a new website for a faculty or staff member to exploit students for their private advantage. A faculty or staff member should also acknowledge significant assistance from students, demonstrate respect for the student as an individual, and assure that evaluation of that student reflects their true merit. See 3.6 Standards of Behavior – Faculty Handbook opens a new website for additional information.

UAB computer and network devices may only be used for work related to the university or for other approved activities. All files and information composed, transmitted, accessed, received or stored in these systems are the property of UAB. Use of UAB equipment for personal commercial purposes or for personal financial or other gain is strictly prohibited. For additional information, review UAB’s policy on Acceptable Use of Computer and Network Resources opens a new website.

Employees are prohibited from engaging in inappropriate conduct regarding the use of state property. The following conduct and may be disciplined, up to and including dismissal:

• Dishonest acts
• Appropriating state or student equipment, time, or resources for personal use or gain
• Misusing or neglecting UAB property, funds, materials, equipment or supplies
• Stealing or possessing without authority any equipment, tools, materials or other UAB property or attempting to remove them from the premises without approval or permission from the appropriate authority. See the Equipment Accounting Policy opens a new website.

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:

• Transfer of Ownership of UAB Property opens a new website,
• Equipment Accounting Policy opens a new website, and
• Surplus Warehouse Policy and Procedure opens a new website.

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.

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.

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.

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.