Use of Employees or Laboratory Personnel as Research Subjects

1. Overview

The Human Subjects Panels request that researchers address these important issues when preparing protocol applications involving participation by employees or laboratory personnel:

1. Whenever employees or laboratory personnel participate as subjects in a formally approved research project, they should render the same informed consent process as any other participant in the study.
2. Protocol directors should understand that, by virtue of their dependent positions, employees or laboratory personnel represent a vulnerable population with regard to acting as research participants. The directors should be sensitive to the need to avoid even subtle coercion and to ensure that all personnel who participate in even minimal risk research activities do so entirely voluntarily.
3. In general, studies involving any type of intervention (e.g. the ingestion or injection of a substance, or venipuncture, solely for the sake of the study) should be considered research, subject to the need for written and signed informed consent. The Protocol Director should contact the Human Subjects Office (650-724-7141) for additional guidance.
4. In principle, the Panel feels that if compensation is allowed, it should go to all participants; however, compensation of individuals who are full-time members of the academic staff or regular exempt staff may not be allowed.
5. As mentioned above (see #3), if doubt exists as to the appropriateness of having employees or laboratory personnel participate in even minimal risk activities, the Protocol Director is urged to contact the Human Subjects Office (650-724-7141) for guidance.