Acts of Founded Wrongdoing

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Reference Number:

2014-2015-002

Organization:

Public Services and Procurement Canada

File Identification Number:

SIID-2014/15-002 (PSDPA)

File Identification Date:

Mar 31, 2014

Findings and Conclusions:

A serious breach of a code of conduct established under section 5 or 6

Case Description:

Apparent and/or Real Conflict of Interest in Staffing and Human Resources Management Activities.

A protected disclosure was received under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA) alleging a wrongdoing pursuant to Subsection 8 (e) of the PSDPA, in that an employee was involved in the context of an alternation process involving a family member. Alternation is a switch between one employee affected by the workforce adjustment or career transition situation who wishes to remain in the Public Service and another unaffected employee who wishes to leave.

The departmental investigation process found that the employee placed himself/herself in a conflict of interest by remaining implicated in some administrative aspects of the process, contrary to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and Public Works and Government Services Canada's (PWGSC) Code of Conduct. It was determined that the employee had declared the relationship to management and colleagues, but had not completed a Conflict of Interest Declaration form for the Human Resources Branch for review and guidance as he/she should have. The employee's conduct, actions and omissions contravened the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and the PWGSC Code of Conduct.

Recommendations and Corrective Measures:

Corrective action has been taken.