D. Employee Relations

9.1   Holding elected or appointed public office.

9.1.1   Partisan Politics

• Strongly discourage Extension employees from engaging in "partisan politics", (i.e., candidate for public office in a partisan election), and also minimize the risk or perception that Extension is associated with or endorses the "platform" of a particular political party.

9.1.2   Non-Partisan Politics

• Require the advance approval of the Director or his/her designee.

• Insure that the time required to carry out the public office assignment is done on the employee's personal time (approved absence or leave without pay).

• Insure that all time, facilities, and materials required to conduct an election campaign are separate and apart from the employee's job.

9.2   Providing expert witness testimony in courts, etc. Due to expertise and position of Extension employees, they are frequently sought after in courts of law to provide expert opinions that may assist in resolving various claims, cases, suits, etc. Expert witness testimony usually benefits one party and is detrimental to the other. It is important that UNH Cooperative Extension not violate its public trust in that it maintains impartiality during any dispute, especially when the dispute involves litigation.

9.2.1   Expert Testimony. Expert testimony usually involves supporting one or the other of the litigants with a professional opinion. While partiality may not be intended, it easily can be construed. For this reason, Extension staff, acting in their official capacities must refuse any request to provide expert testimony. This would include requests to estimate damages for insurance claims. However, employees should suggest other institutions or individuals which could provide the same information whenever possible. Extension staff, acting in their personal capacity and on their own time, may provide expert witness services. In such cases, Extension staff must make clear they are not representing, or acting on behalf of, Cooperative Extension.

9.2.2   Witness to the Fact. A witness to the fact will testify to factual matters within personal knowledge and observation. A factual witness may be compelled to testify by subpoena. If an Extension employee is subpoenaed, the employee should indicate that due to his/her position in Extension, it is important to maintain public trust and to remain impartial. If an employee is subpoenaed to be a witness in his or her official capacity, he/she should notify the Director of Cooperative Extension who will consult with the General Counsel for the University System of New Hampshire and render advice on how to proceed. When testifying in an official capacity, an employee is eligible for full pay for the time he/she is required to be in court; thus, the employee is not penalized for good citizenship. In such cases, witness fees and expense reimbursement received by the employee are the property of, and must be paid to, Cooperative Extension.

9.3   Review (Appeal) Process. In the event an Extension employee disagrees with Extension Administration decision, the employee may request the decision be reviewed by a board of peers which should include Extension employees who are similarly affected by these guidelines.