The purpose of this instruction is to inform, distribute, and provide guidance to agencies on the use of the newly developed D.C. Standard Form (DCSF) No. 36, Previous Employment Relationships Disclosure (Form 36) developed by D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR). The Form 36 has been developed as the official form for newly hired employees to utilize when disclosing all previous employment relationships, and information on any previous employment relationships, as may be directed by the agency head.

For convenience, District government employees may access the Form 36 and instructions on DCHR's internet and intranet sites.

Chapter 18 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Employee Conduct, provides that, as a means of assisting District government agencies to evaluate real or potential conflicts of interests in areas of contract and procurement, newly hired employees are required to report their prior employment relationships to their supervisor, or another individual designated by the agency head. The prior employment relationships must be provided within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the new appointment. (DPM §§ 1805.1, 1805.3).

Employment relationships refer to a former employer:

1. For whom the employee (within one (1) year from the effective date of his or her employment with the District government) has served as an officer, director, trustee, general partner, agent, attorney, consultant, contractor, or employee; and
2. From whom the employee enjoys ongoing economic benefits such as a pension, annuity, stock option, bonus, cash or in-kind distributing in satisfaction of equitable interest, payment of all or a portion of the premiums on a life or health insurance policy, or any other comparable benefit.

D.C. Department of Human Resources Responsibilities

Inform newly hired employees (during the New Employee Orientation (NEO)) of the requirements to complete the Form 36.

Agency Head (or his or her Designee) Responsibilities

1. Inform a newly hired employee of the requirement to complete and submit the Form 36, within thirty (30) days of the effective date of his or her appointment;
2. Inform each new employee of the information that must be disclosed and advise the employee in writing of the applicable restrictions as provided in section 1805.4 of Chapter 18 (and referenced above in the General Policy section);
3. Notify the employee in writing that for one (1) year after the date of initial employment with the District government, he or she will be restricted from participating in the District government's decision to enter into, extend, modify, or renew a contract or consultancy engagement with the employee's former employer (DPM § 1805.4(a));
4. Inform the employee in writing that the restriction referenced in section 2c (above) will be extended for the duration of time in which the employee receives the ongoing economic benefit from his or her former employer (DPM § 1805.4(b));
5. In form 36 the employee that he or she is to submit his or her signed Form 36 to the Agency Head or his or her designee for placement in a confidential file. These confidential files should be kept in the same place as Confidential Financial Disclosure Statements filed by employees; and
6. Inform the employee that if a conflict of interest arises from the employee's previous employment relationships under D.C. Official Code § 1-1162.23(a) (Financial Conflicts of Interest) during or after the filing of the Form 36, the employee may seek a waiver of the conflict of interest by:
   1. Advising his or her supervisor and the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA), of the nature and circumstances of the particular matter,
   2. Making a full disclosure of financial interest; and
   3. Receiving, in advance, a written determination made by both the employee's supervisor and BEGA that:
      1. The interest is not so substantial as to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the services that the government may expect from the employee; or
      2. Another legally cognizable basis exists for waiving any potential conflicts.

Employee's Responsibilities

1. An employee must inform his or her employing agency, via his or her immediate supervisor and a person designated by the Agency Head, of any previous employment relationships in the public or private sectors, and any additional related information as the employing agency may direct, and
2. Provide to his or her immediate supervisor a completed Form 36, within thirty (30) days of the effective date of his or her appointment with the District government.

Authority

D.C. Official Code §§ 1-618.01, 1-608.02, 1-1162.23(a) & (b); and Chapter 18 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Employee Conduct; and;

Applicability

The provisions of the E-DPM instruction are applicable to all District government employees.

"Conflict of Interest" means that no employee shall use his or her official position or title, or personally and substantially participate, through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise, in a judicial or other proceeding, application, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, controversy, charge, accusation, arrest, or other particular matter, or attempt to influence the outcome of a particular matter, in a manner that the employee knows is likely to have a direct and predictable effect on the employee's financial interests or the financial interests of a person closely affiliated with the employee. D.C. Official Code § 1-1162.23(a).

"Days" means calendar days, unless otherwise specified.

"Former employer" means a person or organization which (1) the employee has served as an officer, director, trustee, general partner, agent, attorney, consultant, contractor, or employee within one (1) year preceding his or her employment with the District government; or (2) the employee receives an ongoing economic benefit.

"Ongoing economic benefit" means a pension, annuity, stock option, bonus, cash, or in-kind distribution in satisfaction of equitable interest, payment of all or a portion of the premiums on a life or health insurance policy, or any other comparable benefit.

Section 1805, Financial Interests and Disclosures, of Chapter 18 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Employee Conduct.

Inquiries concerning the provisions of the DPM instruction can be directed to the Policy and Compliance Administration, DCHR, by calling (202) 442-9700 or via email at dchr.policy@dc.gov. Additional guidance can also be provided by the employee's agency Human Resources Advisor.

Inquiries concerning waivers of conflict of interest and any other ethical issues can be directed to the Director's Board of Ethics and Government Accountability at bega@dc.gov.