Personal and Family Relationships Policy

Introduction

This policy provides information, advice and guidance to managers and employees regarding acceptable professional and personal boundaries between individual employees and patients as well as relationships between individuals who work together.

The Trust is a major employer and therefore it is reasonable that it may employ staff who are members of the same family or who are in a personal relationship. The Trust does not wish to discourage this, or to act in any way which may be inconsistent with fairness at work, or which may directly or indirectly discriminate against any member of staff or candidate for a post.

What must be avoided, however, is any conflict of interest. No member of staff or potential member of staff must be placed at an advantageous or disadvantageous position as a result of a personal/family relationship at work. This applies to those in a personal relationship as well as those affected by the relationships of others.

It is also recognised that whilst employees must establish a rapport with patients, their relatives and carers, they are also responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries between themselves and those who use our services. It is essential that all interactions between patients and employees are viewed and maintained in terms of a professional relationship.

Policy Details

See also:

• Recruitment and Selection Policy
• Information Security Policy
• Temporary Staffing Policy
• Career Break Policy
• Flexible Working Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Disciplinary Policy
• Dignity at Work Policy