New 07/09

The use of privileged or official information for personal financial gain is a type of conflict of interest and is prohibited. Privileged or official information is information that is known to an individual because of his or her connection with the Laboratory but is not available to the public. In this connection, the term "privileged information" includes but is not limited to:

1. Unpublished Information Relating to Technological and Scientific Developments
   

   The Report Coordination Office and Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Management review all technical and scientific papers and related materials for oral or other presentation before publication. See RPM §5.02 (Policy for Scientific and Technical Publications), §5.03 (Patents).

2. Medical, Personnel, Patent, Salary, or Security Clearance Records of Individuals
   

   Individual employees have a right to access their own records except as limited by law. See RPM §2.17 (Employee Records), §5.03 (Patents). Access to the records of other employees is normally limited to legitimate need-to-know situations except as specifically noted in the RPM sections cited and in applicable laws.

3. Anticipated Materials Requirements or Pricing Actions; Knowledge of Selected Contractors or Subcontractors Before Official Announcements
   
   In certain situations, an employee, by virtue of his or her position, may have access to information concerning anticipated materials requirements or pricing actions. Examples include Laboratory construction projects and system acquisitions. Improper dissemination of such information could produce unfair competitive advantage for vendors as well as constitute a conflict of interest for the employee


4. Possible New Sites for University of California or DOE Program Operations
   

   The prohibitions surrounding this area are the same as those concerning "Anticipated Materials Requirements or Pricing Actions; Knowledge of Selected Contractors or Subcontractors Before Official Announcements," above.

   An employee who misuses privileged or official information may be subject to discipline by the Laboratory and prosecution under state and federal law. Laboratory employees are required to notify the Laboratory whenever they are notified that they are the target of an investigation by a federal or state agency that has as its subject the improper use of information obtained or actions taken for personal use by the employee in the course of his or her employment.

   
   

Printed . The official or current version is located in the online LBNL Requirements and Policies Manual.
Printed or electronically transmitted copies are not official. Users are responsible for working with the latest approved revision.