What is a Conflict of Interest?
A conflict of interest is any situation in which a Staff member:- Obtains or may obtain a personal benefit.
- Acts in a partial or biased manner.
- Has a relationship that may influence their judgment.
- Compromises the objectivity of a decision.
General Principles
- Staff must always act impartially, regardless of friendships or personal relationships with users or other Staff members.
- Transparency is mandatory.
- In case of doubt, the situation must be reported and escalated to the Head of Staff or Administration.
- Concealing a conflict is considered a serious infraction.
Situations Considered as Conflicts of Interest
The following are considered conflicts of interest, among others:- Moderating, sanctioning, or handling cases involving:
- Close friends.
- Partners.
- Family members.
- Individuals with whom there is a direct personal relationship.
- Directly or indirectly benefiting known users.
- Making decisions that may favor one’s own position, rank, or image.
- Participating in evaluations, sanctions, or promotions where a personal relationship exists.
- Using internal information for personal or third-party benefit.
Prohibited Situations
Favoritism
Applying lighter sanctions, accelerating processes, or ignoring infractions due to personal affinity.
Concealment
Hiding infractions committed by close individuals or other Staff members.
Self-Benefit
Using one’s rank to gain personal advantages or avoid sanctions.
Internal Pressure
Influencing decisions of other Staff members to serve personal interests.
Procedure in Case of a Conflict of Interest
When a Staff member detects or believes that a conflict of interest may exist, they must:- Refrain from intervening in the case.
- Report the situation to a higher rank.
- Provide the necessary information privately.
- Follow the instructions received.
Acting without reporting a conflict will be considered a serious infraction and you will be considered complicit.
Conflicts Between Staff Members
- Personal conflicts between Staff members must not affect server management.
- Any disagreement must be handled privately and with a superior.
- Using one’s rank to harm another Staff member is strictly prohibited.
Sanctions for Conflicts of Interest
Failure to comply with this policy may result in:- One or more Strikes.
- Temporary removal of the rank.
- Permanent removal from the Staff in serious or repeated cases.
Individual Responsibility
Every Staff member is responsible for:- Identifying potential conflicts.
- Acting with honesty and transparency.
- Always prioritizing the interests of the server.
- Consulting before acting when in doubt.