(a) The City is committed to maintain a work environment that encourages the use of computers and electronic information as essential tools to support the functions of the City. It is the responsibility of each employee to ensure that this or any future technology is used for proper and official City business.
(b) The Policy, which is attached to original Ordinance 35-2000, passed May 9, 2000, and adopted herein by reference, covers all employees of the City regardless of their position. This Policy also applies to other work-related settings such as business trips, seminars, conferences and other business-related social events.
(c) All equipment or other property used by the City for or in connection with internal or external communications is the City information technology and is covered by this Policy. Information technology includes, but is not limited to, computer hardware, computer files, software, on-line account administration, internet access E-mail and voice mail systems or message, and video and audio equipment and support services and documentation related to this technology. This Policy applies where any person uses the City information technology alone or in combination with other information technology. All electronic messages sent, received, created or stored by employees utilizing City equipment are owned exclusively by the City.
(d) Utilization of City equipment that requires personal privacy of any kind for any purposes is prohibited. Any employee using any City equipment for any purpose relating to communication, by using such equipment, understands and agrees that he or she is specifically waiving any expectation or right to privacy in communications, data, programs or other personal equipment. Further, all documents, files, etc., shall be considered public record unless otherwise determined by the Law Director, and are thus subject to the Ohio Public Records Law.
(e) Misuse and/or abuse of the technology information equipment and systems of the City will not be tolerated. Disciplinary action will follow a violation and will be reflective of the seriousness of the violation. If investigation establishes that an employee has not complied with the Technology Information Use Policy as distributed to the employees, then discipline, which can include removal, will be administered. Offenders will be disciplined without regard to their position or job performance.
(f) All employees of the City will be expected to comply with this Policy as a condition of continued employment.
(Ord. 35-2000. Passed 5-9-00)