Many statutes and administrative rules govern the conduct of public employees. These regulations are discussed in detail in the UCF Booklet "Guidelines, Policies and Procedures on Conflict of Interest and Outside Activities". Following is a brief summary of this material.

Ethics laws generally consist of two types of provisions, those prohibiting certain actions or conduct and those requiring that certain disclosures be made.

1. Prohibited Actions or Conduct.
   1. Solicitation and Acceptance of Gifts. Public employees may not solicit or accept anything of value, such as a gift, loan, promise of future employment, favor or service, that is based on an understanding that their vote, official action, or judgment will be influenced by such gift.
   2. Unauthorized Compensation. Public employees, their spouses and minor children may not accept any compensation, payment, or thing of value when they know, or should know, that it is given to influence a vote or other official action.
   3. Misuse of Public Position. Public employees may not use or attempt to use their official position to obtain special privilege for themselves or others.
   4. Disclosure or Use of Information. Public employees may not disclose or use information not available to the public and obtained by the reason of their position for their personal benefit.
   5. Doing Business with One's Agency. Public employees are prohibited from purchasing, renting or leasing any realty, goods or services for their agency from a business entity in which the employees or their spouses and children own more than a 5% interest.
   6. Conflicting Employment or Contractual Relationship. Public employees may not work for or contract with a business entity or agency regulated by or doing business with their agency. Public employees also may not work for or have a contractual arrangement, which will impede the full and faithful discharge of public duties.
   7. Contractual Services: Prohibited Employment. Public employees who participate in the decision-making process involving a purchase request, who influence the content of any specification or procurement standard, or who render advice, investigation, or auditing regarding their agency's contract for services, may not be employed by a person holding such a contract with their agency.
2. Disclosures. All outside employment, compensated activity, and continuing business activity must be reported and approved. Uncompensated activities and financial interests (including financial interests of an employee's spouse and children) may also need to be reported if they fall within any of the categories listed below. The following outside activities and financial interests must be reported and approved prior to engaging in the activity:
   1. Outside activities in which there is more than an incidental use of university facilities, equipment and/or services. The term "incidental use" means use that is insignificant and for non-UCF purposes.
   2. Outside activities in which a university student or other university employee is supervised by a faculty or staff member if the faculty or staff member also supervises or evaluates the student or other employee in any capacity at UCF.
   3. Management, employment, consulting, and contractual activities with, or ownership interests in, a business entity that does business with UCF, including companies that sponsor research of a faculty member. In the case of material financial and managerial interests, the required information extends to the spouse and children of the employee.
   4. Candidacy for public office.
   5. Required use of books, supplies, equipment or other instructional resources at UCF when they are created or published by an employee or by any entity in which an employee has a financial interest.
   6. Professional compensated activities including teaching at another university.
   7. Business activities, including service on the board of directors or other management interests or position, with regard to a business entity in the same discipline or field in which the faculty or staff member is employed.
   8. Any employment, contractual relationship or financial interest of the employee that may create a conflict between the employee's interests and the performance of the employee's public responsibilities and obligations, including time commitments and any activity in which the employee is required to waive rights to intellectual property.

If you have questions or concerns about a particular prohibition or disclosure, discuss it with your immediate supervisor.