Conflict of interest?

[ymf117]

Hi all,

Hoping someone could advise, I'm currently a PTA member at my daughters school and help out a lot with events and in school. I am due to start a new job in Sept at another school. My working hours will be school hours, but will I create a conflict of interest if I continue to volunteer as a parent at my daughters school outside of these hours? I won't be asking for time off, but I'd still like to help at events such as the school disco and Christmas bazaar etc, is this too much?

Of course I wouldn't be there to discuss each school and I'd like to help in the school I'll be working at too, there are plenty of fundraising opportunities for both and both schools of children should benefit, but I am just thinking ahead to safeguard myself against any future criticism because I can't think of any immediate issues from the off, I wouldn't be asking for time off and my employer will come first and above.

Any help or opinion would be greatly appreciated x

I can't imagine that this would be problematic - plenty of employees volunteer for a variety of causes outside work and most employers encourage it rather than seeking to put up barriers. But if you want to be really sure why not ask your new line manager and/or HR at the new school whether there are any policies on conflict of interest, volunteering etc. you can read and whether there is some kind of voluntary register you ought to sign ( I doubt it personally but it can't hurt to ask)?

A conflict of interest tends to arise if there’s a financial interest involved, or you’re party to confidential information which may cause you to alter your behaviour. What you’re doing is fine, and I’m sure your volunteering is appreciated.

I can't imagine you'd be the first teacher / TA to work at one school and volunteer at their child's (different school). Albeit many never want to see other children / teachers in their spare time 😂

If you're bidding for funds in one role which would be to the detriment of the other, or similar, then perhaps declare the interest.

That will be fine, don’t worry, but if you’re worried, just check with whoever is managing you at your new job.

Thank you for the replies,

I will be working in the office and although not working with financial information directly, I will probably see some of it. However, I don't see anything Joe public couldn't see at my daughters school and I don't see the financial info of the school at all. The Head is aware that I do volunteer at daughters school, but this wouldn't create any conflict of interest now as my contract hasn't started there yet.

Just feeling like I want to be prepared for the conversation should it be an issue come September and not look like I don't know enough about it which is totally true