1. Internet and E-mail Use
Use of the Internet, electronic mail, and online services has great potential to enhance the productivity of the employees of the City of New Carlisle. This policy will serve as the framework for the effective use of the rapidly expanding electronic resources available to employees. Employees must be held accountable for the use and misuse of government resources, of which access to the Internet, electronic mail systems, and online services are but three examples. This policy addresses some, but not necessarily all, of the uses subject to abuse.
A) Use of Internet, e-mail, and online services.
1. Employees must use the Internet and online services only for business purposes. Uses that interfere with normal business activities, involve solicitation, are associated with any for-profit business activities, or could potentially embarrass the City, are forbidden. Employees must never access news groups and/or Internet relay chat groups unless they involve approved work related topics.
2. There is no expectation of privacy on City owned/provided computer resources including servers, personal computers, workstations, connections, Internet, electronic mail, and online services. The City, without notice to employees, reserves the right to routinely and randomly monitor, access, disclose, and use the contents of materials on or utilizing City owned/provided computer resources.
3. Employees must not use the Internet, electronic City mail, or online services to access, distribute, or solicit sexually oriented messages or images, except those required in the performance of their job.
4. Employees must not use the Internet, electronic City mail, or online services for operating a business for personal gain, sending chain letters, or soliciting money for religious and political causes.
5. Employees must never use the Internet, electronic City mail, or online services to disseminate offensive, harassing, vulgar, obscene, or threatening statements, including disparagement of others based on their race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religious or political beliefs.
6. Employees must not use the Internet, electronic City mail, or online services to access, download, distribute, or print materials (including articles and software) in violation of copyright or trademark laws.
7. Employees must view the use of electronic City mail no differently than the use of other City equipment, e.g., telephone, fax, or copier.
8. Employees must not use the Internet, electronic City mail, and online services to provide unauthorized access to and/or disclosure of confidential information.
9. Employees must not use the Internet, electronic City mail, or online services to provide access to public information without following the existing rules and procedures of the City.
10. Employees must not use an Internet, electronic City mail, or online services account or signature line other than their own.
11. Employees must take all reasonable precautions to prevent the inadvertent distribution of anyone else's information via the Internet, electronic mail, or online services.
12. Employees violating this policy are subject to discipline, up to and including termination. Violations of these policies may also result in criminal prosecution.
2. Computer systems
A) The City of New Carlisle has a variety of computer systems that facilitate normal day-to-day operations.
B) Any computer system, P.C. system, portable device, or any other information holding device used for management of City of New Carlisle information issued by the City to a user, is the property of the City and is subject to inspection, maintenance, and removal at any time.
C) All passwords must be set and changed through the Finance Director.
D) Authorization must be obtained from the Finance Director when any changes are made to any City owned device in regard to settings; passwords, software, hardware, or any other change.
E) Employees are forbidden to access or modify any information systems or files to which they have no official permission or authority to enter.
This policy applies to all employees (full or part-time) and others who are provided access to the City's technology systems. The use of the City's technology systems shall constitute agreement that the user is aware of this policy and consents to the terms outlined above. Contractors, volunteers, and other outside parties should only be provided access to the City's technology systems when it is necessary for business purposes of the City, and only if such access is approved by the appropriate Department or Division head, who shall be responsible to enforce this policy for all technology users.
(Ord. 07-17. Passed 5-21-07; Ord. 2020-08. Passed 2-18-20; Ord. 2020-30. Passed 9-21-20; Ord. 2020-47. Passed 1-4-21; Ord. 2021-20. Passed 7-6-21.)