Regulations and procedure for secondary occupations

Responsible unit: Human Resources Office

Contact: Claes Strandlund

1 Introduction

As a government authority, Stockholm University operates on behalf of society. Its activities must therefore be conducted objectively, impartially and without the risk of conflicts of interest. Employees of the University, like other employees in public administration, have a particular responsibility to uphold these requirements in the performance of their duties.

The rules on secondary occupations, set out in the Public Employment Act, other statutes and collective agreements, are intended to prevent situations that may harm the reputation of the University or give rise to, for example, suspicions of conflicts of interest, corruption or undue influence.

A secondary occupation refers, in principle, to any activity or assignment that an employee has alongside their employment at Stockholm University. Most secondary occupations are permitted, but an employee may not have secondary occupations that undermine confidence, prevent the performance of duties or are competing.

A secondary occupation undermines confidence if it may affect confidence in the employee’s or another employee’s impartiality or damage the reputation of the University. A secondary occupation prevents the performance of duties if it affects the employee’s ability to perform their duties at the University. A secondary occupation is competing if it is conducted within an area in which the University conducts contract activities.

An employee who is uncertain whether a secondary occupation is permitted should consult their immediate manager. (In this governing document, “manager” refers to Head of Department, Director reporting directly to a dean, Head of Office, Dean, Deputy Vice President, Vice President or President.)

Teachers at universities and higher education institutions have a special position with regard to secondary occupations. Under the Higher Education Act, teachers are permitted to have so-called research and development (R&D) secondary occupations, i.e. secondary occupations within research and development work that are connected to the subject area of the employment. The purpose is to make use of teachers’ specialised competence, strengthen collaboration with the surrounding society and contribute to knowledge development and innovation.

At the same time, this possibility entails particular requirements. In order to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence, specific obligations regarding information and reporting apply to teachers in relation to secondary occupations.

2 What is a secondary occupation?

A secondary occupation refers, in principle, to any activity or assignment that an employee has alongside their employment at Stockholm University and that does not belong to private life. Secondary occupations may, for example, consist of employment, assignments or engagements with another employer, an organisation, a private company or within one’s own business activities.

A secondary occupation may be temporary or ongoing. It is irrelevant how extensive it is or whether it entails financial compensation. Engagement in companies that are currently inactive (dormant) is also considered a secondary occupation.

Activities that typically belong to private life are not considered secondary occupations. These include, for example, hobbies, membership in non-profit associations, ordinary leisure activities, involvement in one’s children’s leisure activities, as well as the management of personal property and private family matters.

Certain activities or assignments are considered to form part of employment at Stockholm University and are therefore not secondary occupations, even if they involve financial compensation. These include, for example, academic assignments such as acting as an external examiner or expert, serving as a member of an examining committee, less extensive assignments for scientific journals, participation in academic debate in the media, and lectures, seminars or presentations of research and research results at another higher education institution.

Assignments carried out as a representative of the University, for example on an external board, foundation or industry organisation, are also not considered secondary occupations if they are undertaken following a decision by the University.

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