The Conflict of Interest and Confidential Information policy is applicable to all faculty and staff members (employees) employed by PLU.
- Conflict of Interest
Employees must avoid any potential or actual conflict of interest between their duties and responsibilities for PLU and their own personal interests. A potential or actual conflict of interest occurs whenever an employee is in a position to influence a decision that may result in a personal gain for the employee or a family member or friend as a result of PLU’s business dealings.
Employees may not use their positions with PLU, or confidential information gained from their employment, for their personal benefit. Employees also may not intentionally use their employment with PLU to create any favorable treatment or personal advantage for any business, organization, or other individual.
Employees also may not accept employment with or serve in a position of authority for any organization if such employment or service would be a material conflict with the employee’s duties on behalf of PLU. An employee contemplating a second employment position or service with an organization that might present a conflict of interest must disclose that possible position to their supervisor and may not accept such position without prior written approval.
- Confidential Information
During employment, employees may be given access to Pacific Lutheran University confidential, proprietary, and/or trade secret information (collectively “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information may include, but is not limited to, information regarding PLU’s finances, financial and accounting records, financial aid strategy, strategic plans, student records and information, marketing plans, business strategies, and any other non-public information pertaining to PLU’s business operations. Employees are expected to respect the confidentiality of this information and not disclose this information to any individual or entity outside of PLU either during employment or after employment separation.
Notice of Immunity pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made: 1) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; 2) in confidence to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or 3) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Furthermore, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual: 1) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and 2) does not disclose the trade secret except pursuant to court order.