Managing Nepotism and Background Checks

In the last year, Human Resources published an update to the Contingent I contract. The template document, once two pages, now includes a third page and additional questions that the hiring manager needs to complete. Primarily, the new sections generally address nepotism and introduce a control on background checks.

Now, each contract must identify any family also working for UMBC. “Family members” include spouses, children, stepchildren, parents, in-laws, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, as well as sons-in-law and daughters-in-law. The key consideration in the contract demands that we define whether candidates will have a working relationship with a family member.

Although not new in principle, the contract features three questions on the second page that address background checks. Background checks must be requested for job candidates who will have financial responsibilities, interact with youth or minors, or any other responsibility that would require a background check. Financial responsibility includes cash handling, P-card access, Payroll, budgeting, and fund handling.

There is a section on the revised contract for additional terms. While most contracts do not include additional terms, this section allows for specific contractual terms that fall outside normal business operations. Normal business operations are defined in the Terms and Conditions found on the third page.

Generally, contingent I employees work “if and when needed” for one year or less under twenty hours per week or if they are temporary employees working more than twenty hours per week and the term is for six months or less. In the latter case, the contingent I contract may be renewed one time by executing a new contract for six months or less.

The revised agreement is available on UMBC HR’s Employment Forms page

(https://hr.umbc.edu/forms/employment-forms/) as well as a request for an emergency extension, and an application form for Contingent I positions only.