Sarah Lawrence College does not discriminate on the basis of marital status or family relationship, however, in an effort to foster culture that promotes fairness and to avoid conflicts of interest, members of the same family may not be appointed to positions where one relative has direct or indirect supervision over another. In these circumstances, all parties, including supervisors, are open to charges of inequitable consideration in decisions concerning work assignments, performance evaluations, promotions, demotions, disciplinary actions, and discharge. In addition to claims of partiality in treatment at work, personal conflicts from outside the work environment can be carried into day-to-day working relationships. It is incumbent upon the supervisor to disclose any relationships that may develop during the course of their employment, between themselves and another employee over whom they have direct or indirect supervision within the department. Failure to disclose such relationships may result in disciplinary action. When two employees in a supervisory relationship become romantically involved, the one with the shorter length of service will be required to transfer, resign, or be terminated within 30 days unless the other does so voluntarily. An exception to this policy may be granted for up to one year to meet a significant College need.
Applications for employment from close relatives of employees will be considered on the basis of professional criteria and qualifications for specific positions and the employment of those in such relationships in the same department is permitted. If a department seeks to hire an individual who is related in any capacity to another staff member within the department, prior approval must be obtained from the Director of Human Resources who will evaluate and consider the specific circumstances. Each employee is responsible for disclosing relationships to both their immediate supervisor and to the Director of Human Resources at the point of hire or when a relationship develops
For the purpose of this policy, members of the same family include spouses, domestic partners, children, stepchildren, wards, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, in-laws, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.