A. Personal Use of Town Resources (Funds, Property, Labor, Services and Equipment). Employees may not use Town resources, such as funds, property, labor, services, tools, and equipment, for their own personal use or for the private advantage of any other person, unless:
1. The use of resources is available to the public on the same terms;
2. The use is an acceptable de minimis or incidental use as outlined below; or,
3. The use is specifically allowed under specific sections of this code or Town policy manual such as employee wellness benefit, incidental use of computer and electronic systems, or incidental use of Town vehicles.
B. Acceptable De Minimus or Incidental Use. There are limited circumstances where de minimis and incidental use of some Town property, tools, or equipment during the course of a work day may occur and may be reasonable. “Incidental use” is intended to mean that the use is so infrequent and incurs so little cost that tracking it would be unreasonable. For example, an employee may use a Town telephone to make a local phone call, an employee may make a personal note on a piece of paper or use tape to hang up a family photo, or the employee may stop at a store to purchase a drink or deposit a check in a Town vehicle while on break. Such de minimis or incidental use is generally acceptable provided that the use:
1. Complies with other sections of this manual and other policies and procedures;
2. Does not disrupt, distract, or interfere with Town business activities;
3. Does not involve solicitation;
4. Does not support, operate, manage, or promote a for-profit business endeavor. Any Town employee with a second job or private business must conduct it on their own time, using their own equipment and supplies, and away from the workplace;
5. Does not involve illegal activity; and
6. Does not have the potential to harm, bring discredit to, or be adversarial to the Town or public confidence in our responsible use of Town resources.