A. Definition of Nepotism. Nepotism, for purposes of this chapter, is defined as the practice of giving preferential treatment in areas of employment including, but not limited to, selection, benefit, pay, promotion, and discipline to an employee's near relatives. Near relatives are defined as the employee's spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, first cousins, and all like relations of the employee's spouse, and any former spouse(s), or to unrelated persons sharing a spousal relationship. This definition is to cover any person related to the employee by birth, adoption, or marriage.
B. Prohibited Practices.
1. The practice or appearance of nepotism is prohibited. Near relatives shall not work in the same department when there is a supervisory relationship between them. Employees cannot fill or be promoted into a position which requires supervision by a near relative.
2. No elected official or city employee shall give employment as clerk, deputy, or assistant, or other class of department employee to any near relative when that person's compensation is six hundred dollars or more per year in accordance with NMSA 1978, § 10-1-10. Any exceptions to this rule must be approved by the city commission.
3. No department head shall hire near relatives under any circumstances. (Ord. 435 § 6.3,2001)