For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AVATAR. Computer user’s representation of himself or herself, or an alter ego
BLOG. A series of entries, written by either one person or a group of people, in an online journal, usually posted in chronological order, like a diary.
BLOGGING. To read, write, or edit a blog and also to comment or otherwise engage with other commenters on a blog.
COMMENTING. The act of creating and posting a response to a blog post, news article, social media entry, or other social networking post, and can also entail the act of posting an original composition to an unrelated post or article.
COMMENTS. Responses to a blog post, news article, social media entry, or other social networking post.
CRITICAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES. Those employees who are employees of any public safety department (i.e., employees of the Police Department and Fire Department), and those employees of departments that render services to the public, ensuring its safety, directly contribute to the city’s emergency operations designed to combat the specific emergency situation at hand, and/or ensure continued essential public service.
DISTRIBUTION. The passing out of any type of literature, advertising, handbills, circulars, forms, or any other memorabilia.
EXEMPT EMPLOYEE. Any employee classified as executive, administrative, or professional according to provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), plus any elected officer. These individuals are not subject to the overtime payment requirements of the FLSA. Due to the nature of their work, these employees are expected to have flexible working hours, which may exceed 40 hours per week. These individuals should not expect to receive overtime pay or formal compensatory time for such.
FORUM. An online discussion site.
HANDLE. An online pseudonym.
HOURLY EMPLOYEE. An employee paid an hourly rate weekly based upon a 35-hour workweek.
IDENTITY. An online identity, internet identity, or internet persona that a social networking user establishes.
INTERNET. A computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange.
IOSHA. The Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Act, being I.C. 22-8-1.1-1 et seq., as the same may be amended, repealed, or replaced from time to time.
MOBILE SOCIAL NETWORKING. Social networking using a mobile phone or other cellular-based device.
NON-CRITICAL SERVICE EMPLOYEE. Any employee of a department who renders services determined to be non-critical in case of emergency.
NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEE. Any employee of a department that does not meet the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), being 29 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq., exempt provision, such individuals will be eligible for overtime and or compensatory time off.
NON-WORK AREA. Any area on or off the city’s premises not designated as a work area.
NON-WORK TIME. Any time during an employee’s workday where the employee is completely relieved of work duties, such as break time and lunchtime.
OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, being 29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq., as the same may be amended, repealed, or replaced from time to time.
POST. An item submitted to a blog or an entry submitted for posting on any type of computerized platform or forum.
POSTING. The act of creating, uploading, editing, or adding content, whether photographs, videos, or writings, to any social medial outlet.
SALARIED EMPLOYEE. An employee paid a predetermined annual sum on a bi-weekly basis.
SOCIAL MEDIA. A variety of online sources that allow people to communicate, share information, share photographs, share videos, share audio, and exchange text messages and other multimedia files with others via some form of online or cellular network platform.
SOCIAL NETWORKING. The use of such internet or mobile formats as Facebook, Twitter, Usenet groups, online forums, message boards or bulletin boards, blogs, or other similar formats or forums, to communicate with others using the same group, while also networking with other users based upon similar interests, geographical location, skills, occupations, ideology, beliefs, and the like.
SOLICITATION means, but is not limited to, any act that requests, urges, or seeks to induce an employee to give or obligate him or her to pay money for any cause or for any reason, or to sign any document indicating membership in any obligation, association, or group, or indicating support for or a pledge to any such organization, association, or group.
SPAM. Unauthorized and/or unsolicited electronic mass mailings.
USER NAME. The name provided by the participant during the registration process associated with a website that will be displayed publicly on the site.
WEATHER/CIVIL EMERGENCY. A significant weather event, such as a blizzard, a flood, or a tornado that causes the Mayor, or other individual designated by local or state law, to declare a state of emergency.
WORK AREA. Areas, including, but not limited to, offices, work sites, locations, conference rooms, common areas, and corridors leading directly thereto, and other areas essential to the performance of an employee’s duties.
WORK TIME. Periods of time, including, but not limited to, periods of time when an employee’s duties require that he or she to be engaged in work tasks, but does not include the employee’s personal time such as meal periods, scheduled break periods, and time before or after a work shift.
WORLD WIDE WEB. A computer network consisting of a collection of internet sites that offer text, graphics, sound, and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol.