HICKORY, N.C. — The city of Hickory has adopted a new policy that could keep employees from getting married. The anti-nepotism policy also prevents brothers from working as police officers or firefighters.
If two city employees marry, one would have to resign within 60 days as part of the city's anti-nepotism policy, and if that doesn't happen, both employees will lose their jobs.
"You can't really help who you fall in love with or who you're related to, or what your passion is,” resident Raven Yount said. “So, therefore, I think you should be able to work where you want to."
The policy prevents brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins and even grandparents from working for the city of Hickory at the same time.
"I think it's not right, and I think it's wrong,” resident Norma Anderson said. “People have the right to associate with other people in different departments."
It is not just in the same department or building. Two brothers can't work in different areas, like for the Hickory fire and police departments, for example.
"If you're passionate about being a police officer or firefighter, or anything that deals with the city, then you also can't help that you are related," resident Jordan Mull said.
There are more than two dozen current employees who would potentially lose their jobs if they were hired after July 5. A grandfather clause prevents that from happening.
The policy states the reason behind the policy is "in order to avoid charges of favoritism, conflicts of interest and other conflicts in the organization."
Henry Chapman, who has worked with his twin brother for more than 50 years, believes the policy goes too far.
"Listen, I'm 73 years old and we still work together, still work together," Chapman said.
The policy does not cover city council members, one of whom does have a husband working for the city.
The councilwoman is not a city employee, so she does not fall under the policy.
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