Regulations for sideline jobs and financial interests at UiO

1. Introduction

The purpose of these regulations is to prevent conflicts of interest and protect the university's reputation and confidence in the integrity of the employees, by facilitating transparency regarding employee's sideline jobs and financial interests, as well as potential conflicts of interest and how these are managed.

The regulations are founded on Section 39 a of the Civil Servants Act (lovdata.no) (Norwegian), Section 2-2 of the Universities and University Colleges Act (lovdata.no) (Norwegian), Clause 1.1.4 of the central provisions of the Basic Collective Agreement (regjeringen.no) (Norwegian), Section 9.7 of the Personnel Handbook for State Employees (regjeringen.no) (Norwegian) and the Ethical Guidelines for the Public Service (regjeringen.no) (Norwegian).

2. Definitions

¡°Sideline jobs¡± are defined as work performed and assignments and offices held in addition to the employee¡¯s ordinary university position, whether paid or unpaid. Work performed through an undertaking or company that is wholly or partially owned by the employee is also considered a sideline job.

¡°Financial interests¡± are defined as the employee directly or indirectly owning or managing a business, shares in business, securities, or other assets capable of generating income for the employee.?

3. What do the regulations govern?

The regulations set out the framework for employees' entitlement to hold sideline jobs and financial interests, the reporting obligation for certain job categories, and the public disclosure of these.

4. Who is subject to the regulations?

The regulations apply to all employees at UiO.?

The registration obligation, as set out in Section 6, applies only to the following categories of employees:

• all academic staff, including research leaders,
• other employees who have budget authority.

See the guide.

5. Principles for sideline jobs and financial interests

As a general rule, employees are entitled to undertake additional work for another employer, conduct private business activities or hold financial interests in their personal time. However, this entitlement is not unlimited.?

Employees who are considering additional work for another employer or conducting private business activities should consult with UiO in advance to determine whether there may be any obstacles.?

5.1 In accordance with Section 9.7.1 of the Personnel Handbook for State Employees (regjeringen.no) (Norwegian), an employee may not undertake additional work for another employer or conduct private business activities in their personal time that:

1. are prohibited by law or legal regulation,
2. are prohibited by regulation, collective agreement or other agreement,
3. impede or delay ordinary work, unless special order or permission is in place, cf. Clause 1.1.4 of the Basic Collective Agreement (regjeringen.no) (Norwegian),
4. entails that the employee engages in or contributes to disloyal competition with the state organisation in which they are employed,
5. disqualify the employee from handling their tasks more than just sporadically,
6. entails that the employee may easily face a conflict of loyalty with the organisation in which they are employed,
7. entails that the employee uses organisational information in a disloyal manner,
8. harms the employee's position or reputation of the organisation.?

Furthermore, employees may not hold financial interests that place them in such position as described in Section 9.7.1 of the Personnel Handbook for State Employees (regjeringen.no) (Norwegian) and herein.?

Employees who are uncertain whether a sideline job or financial interests falls within the prohibitions must submit the matter for approval in accordance with Section 9. The employee may not undertake such activities unless approval has been granted.?

See the guide.?

5.2 Sideline jobs as mentioned below are not permitted without UiOs approval and a written agreement with UiO:

1. Sideline jobs that entail use of UiO's resources beyond what can be deemed insignificant. Such an agreement shall govern the terms and conditions for use of the resources, including payment (see the guide).
2. Sideline jobs that are assumed to be carried out, in whole or in part, during normal working hours, beyond what can be deemed insignificant (see the guide).
3. Sideline jobs that may be in competetion with UiO's activities (see the guide).
4. Sideline jobs of a long-term or particularly extensive nature (see the guide).
5. Sideline jobs that may rise doubts about the employee's willingness or ability to perform their duties at UiO in the manner required by the position and UiOs objectives.

Sideline jobs and financial interests that require approval from UiO and a written agreement may, in accordance with Section 6, be subject to a registering obligation. See the guide.?

5.3 Section 4.2 of the Ethical Guidelines for the Public Service (regjeringen.no) (Norwegian) prohibit state employees to