Post-Service Employment Restrictions
The San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code establishes post-service employment restrictions to ensure integrity and prevent conflicts of interest. These rules apply to former City officers and employees who seek to engage in certain activities after their City service.
When seeking future employment, remember that City officers or employees are prohibited from making, participating in, or attempting to influence any governmental decision that directly impacts a person or entity with whom they are discussing or negotiating an agreement for future employment.
Prohibition on Employment with City Contractors
Current or former officers or employees may not be employed by or receive compensation from a person or entity that:
- Entered into a contract with the City within the past 12 months, and
- the officer or employee personally and substantially participated in the award of their contract with the City.
One-Year Ban on Department Communications
Former officers or employees may not communicate with their former department, or any other unit of government under the direction or control of their former department, for:
- One year after leaving City service and
- For the purpose of influence a government decision on behalf of any other person.
Note: “Department” for former Mayors, members of the Board of Supervisors, and their former senior staff includes all entities, officers, employees, appointees and representatives of the City.
Permanent Ban on Representation
Former City officers or employees may not communicate before any court or public agency regarding:
- Matters where the City is a party or has a direct and substantial interest,
- Issues in which the former officer or employee participated personally and substantially as a City official, and
- Matters involving specific parties at the time of their participation.
Waivers
The Ethics Commission may grant waivers for these restrictions under specific circumstances:
- The prohibition against Employment with City Contractors may only be waived if the restriction would cause extreme hardship for the City officer or employee.
- The permanent ban and the one-year ban on communications may only be waived:
- If granting the waiver does not create the potential for undue influence or unfair advantage or
- For City board or commission members who, by law, are required to represent a particular profession, trade, business, union, or association.