Commandant
2100 Second Street, S.W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, D.C. 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-WPC-1
Phone: 202-267-1711
COMDTINST 12310.3A
FEB 10 1999
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 12310.3A
Subj: RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES
1.
PURPOSE. This Instruction provides information and guidance concerning the restrictions on
employment of relatives by public officials.
2.
ACTION. Area and district commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics
commands, commanding officers of Headquarters units, assistant commandants for
directorates, Chief Counsel, and special staff offices at Headquarters shall ensure compliance
with the provisions of this directive.
3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. Restrictions on Employment of Relatives, COMDTINST
12310.3, is canceled.
4.
BACKGROUND.
a.
Section 3110, Title 5, U. S. Code (U.S.C.), restricts the employment of relatives of a
public official in the official's agency or in one over which the public official exercises
any jurisdiction or control. The restrictions apply to positions whose pay is derived from
nonappropriated as well as appropriated funds.
b.
The restrictions on employment of relatives apply to appointment, employment,
promotion, or advancement in the competitive service and the excepted service.
c.
Federal regulations governing the restrictions on employment of relatives are contained in
5 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 310.
5.
DISCUSSION. The employment of relatives in the same organization tends to have a number
of undesirable results. It sometimes leads to requests to employing offices which are difficult
to refuse without deterioration in delicate relationships. The appearance of favoritism in the
consideration of applicants and employees is given. The burden of day-to-day supervision is
complicated and increased. Decision-making in connection with the assignment and
separation of personnel is complicated. Finally, the employment of relatives in the same
organization breeds misunderstanding and resentment on the part of the general public that the
Coast Guard may not be safekeeping the taxpayers' interests in a strictly impartial and
objective manner.
1
Previous Page
