SECONDARY EMPLOYMENT AND OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Question 0

PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES

Different approaches apply to different activities including activities:

Answer 0

• Which pose a direct conflict of interest are prohibited outright
• In high risk industries require consultation and agreement with specialist areas within Vic Pol to occur before assessment for approval
• Regarded as unrelated to Vic Pol roles, or those that pose no obvious conflict of interest, may be approved with or without conditions
• Involving certain sporting, social, community or occasional participation do not require approval

Question 1

PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES

As required by VPMP, employees must obtain approval to undertake:

Answer 1

• secondary employment
• reportable outside interests
  
  • leisure activities or unpaid work which poses an actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest

Question 2

PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES

The overarching considerations regarding approval of an application for secondary employment or a reportable outside interest are:

Answer 2

• Preservation of the integrity of Vic Pol and its employees
• Maintenance of operational capabilities
• Identification and management of any real or perceived conflicts of interest between the proposed activity and police duties or responsibilities

Question 3

ACTIVITY CATEGORIES

Activities requiring approval before being undertaken include:

Answer 3

• Applying for or holding a licence or permit to conduct any trade, business or profession
• Undertaking any external employment with remuneration in cash, in kind or by other benefit
• Accepting a directorship in, or being a board member of, a trading company
• Owning a business/company including as a silent partner
• Undertaking unpaid work or other activities in organisations where:
  
  • the employee’s responsibilities in that organisation
  • the organisation’s purpose, aim or activities
    present an actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest

Question 4

ACTIVITY CATEGORIES

Activities not requiring approval include:

Answer 4

• Any activity where remuneration is generated by passive means, eg:
  
  • investments
  • capital gain
  • non-trading family trusts
• Directorships in flat service companies
• Occasional, personal selling of private items through classified ads, online or similar
• Unpaid work or other activity in a charitable organisation, other community service or membership of a club, provided:
  
  • the employee’s responsibilities in the organisation
  • the organisation’s purpose, aim or activities
• Playing, coaching or umpiring any sport without remuneration or other benefit excluding reimbursement of expenses

Question 5

ACTIVITY CATEGORIES

Prohibited activities as they have a greater potential to cause conflict of interest include industries involved in:

Answer 5

• Road transport industry
• Learner driver/ rider instructor; taxi/ tow truck; road vehicle for hire
• Firearm/weapons industry
• Licensed premises
• Gaming premises
• Racing industry
• Security/ investigative industry
• Sex industry
• Company directorships
• Overseas work

Question 6

APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Initial application:

Answer 6

• secondary employment or outside interest must be approved prior to commencement of any secondary employment or reportable outside activity

Question 7

APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Renewal or subsequent application triggers:
Employees are required to submit a Form 1046 for approval to continue undertaking an approved activity:

Answer 7

• Annually, and before the anniversary of 12 months from previous approval
• When there is a change in the employee’s Vic Pol duties
• When a member permanently re-locates, or is assigned for a period of 3 months or more, to a new work location, including when they carry on the same duties
• When the circumstances of the employee’s approved activity changes
• When the employee commences extended leave for a period of 3 months or more
• Where an employee is suspended
• Where the employee becomes subject to interim action under Disciplinary Action or direction under Management of Misconduct
• Where undertaking the activity results in illness or injury to the employee and the Work Unit Manager determines this has impacted on the employee’s capacity to fulfil their responsibilities to Vic Pol
• Where the employee has an accepted WorkCover claim which prevents them from returning to work, or their full pre-injury duties

Question 8

REVOCATION OR LAPSE OF APPROVAL

Approval may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of the relevant Regional Commander or Department Head and they are to:

Answer 8

• Explain the reasons for the withdrawal of approval to the employee in writing
• Forward the report to the relevant HR practitioner who will record the withdrawal of approval on HR Assist, store the report in the employee’s personal file and advise the LPSC of the withdrawal of approval