(A) Accidents/Injuries. Anytime an employee is involved in an automobile accident with a City automobile or in a personal automobile while on City business, the employee shall notify
his or her Elected Official/Department head immediately with all pertinent information including whether personal injury is involved and whether any traffic citations were issued. All Elected Officials/Department Heads shall within twenty-four (24) hours notify the City Attorney's Office if any traffic citations were issued to a City employee and shall provide the City Attorney with a copy of the citations. An employee is obligated to cooperate with the City and any of the City's legal representatives regarding the accident and any citations that may have been issued. Anytime an employee is injured while working, he or she is required to notify his or her Elected Official/Department Head and insurance agent immediately.
(B) Appearance. Neatness and good taste in dress, as well as care toward personal hygiene, are expected of all employees. For safety and hygienic purposes, employees may be required to comply with any appropriate dress code that is set forth by the Elected Official/Department Head during the performance of their duties.
Employees may be requested to change inappropriate dress, and work lost while doing so will not be compensated by the department. Employees may be evaluated on their dress and appearance. The Elected Official/Department Head is the only individual of each department who may make exceptions to the dress code.
(C) Use of Department Property. All department property and equipment entrusted to any employee will be used in accordance with the property's prescribed function. All property damaged through recklessness, gross negligence, intentional act, deliberate misuse, or theft shall be replaced and paid for by the employee committing the violation. Such replacement of property by the employee shall not be considered the exclusive remedy against the employee, and the employee may still be subject to discipline up to and including termination. All department property, personal lockers, and personal offices are subject to inspection. All department property shall be inspected by the employee's immediate supervisor prior to issuance of the property.
No department property shall be used for personal or unauthorized purposes. All employees are required to return all department property or equipment in their possession upon separation, promotion, and/or transfer.
(D) Reserved.
(E) Correspondence and Communications. No employee shall use their official position or engage in official transactions or business to harass any individual or to secure a benefit for himself or other individuals. Courtesy should be given in all communications and correspondence, and all employees should refrain from unnecessarily criticizing any individuals or agencies concerning official transactions or business.
(F) Photo I.D.s. The City Council may issue a photo I.D. card for employees. All employees who are issued a shield badge and/or photo I.D. are required to be in possession of the badge and/or photo I.D. on and off duty. Employees will not use their shield or identification card for personal business or personal gain. If a shield or identification card is lost or stolen, it must be reported in writing to the director without delay.
(G) Speech and Dissemination of Information. Employees are encouraged to appear (with authorization) before civic organizations, fraternal organizations, or any other group in an official capacity. Employees must receive authorization from the Elected Official/Department Head prior to accepting such speaking engagements.
Employees are cautioned against making statements on behalf of the City or giving the impression that they are speaking on behalf of the City without prior expressed authority being granted. Normally, the Elected Official/Department Head has the sole right to adopt and interpret the policies of the organization. If in doubt, consult the Elected Official/Department Head before making any statements that might possibly be misinterpreted or misconstrued by the general public or press.
The Elected Official/Department Head will make all news releases concerning the department.
The City shall comply with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, and authorized employees are allowed to disseminate information pursuant to the Act. However, employees are not allowed to disclose any information that is exempted by Illinois Freedom of Information Act or prohibited from disclosure by any other state statutes or federal law.
(H) Relations with Creditors. The City will charge employees any authorized costs when making wage deduction pursuant to court order or State or Federal statutes.
(I) Possession of Firearms. Unless authorized by the Chief of Police, and unless authorized by the appropriate Elected Official/Department Head, no employee of any department has legal authority to carry weapons while in the performance of their official duties.
(J) Ethics. Employees will not recommend or promote the sale of any specific brand name product or equipment.
Many employees in the course of their work have access to confidential information about patients, clients, employees, or other individuals. This may be medical, legal or job-related information. Such information is not to be repeated or discussed outside the department or with other personnel unless such information is a necessary part of the employee's assigned duty.
Employees shall inform the Elected Official/Department Head of any possible conflict of interest situations they may have.
Employees are prohibited from accepting gifts, gratuities, or any item of value for work performed on behalf of the department.
(K) Other Employment. Employees are prohibited from having conflicting employment while having a full-time position. An employee may not be paid by another employer for the same forty (40) hour period employee is being paid by the department. If a full-time employee performs outside services or employment, such services or employment must be reported to the Elected Official/Department Head for prior approval, and advance notification must be given by the employee to the Personnel Department.
Fees earned by an employee for serving as an instructor for a class during other than normal working hours which is not sponsored by the department in another community agency, will be dealt with in the discretion of the City as follows:
(1) No overtime will be earned and the fee retained, or;
(2) Overtime will be earned and the fee surrendered to the City Clerk and recorded as miscellaneous income.
Employees who are injured while engaging in other employment must notify the Elected Official/Department Head and the City Clerk.
(L) Physical Examinations. Each applicant for employment may be required to successfully complete a post-offer physical examination by a doctor of the employer's choice. Employees who hold safety-sensitive positions may be required to complete drug and alcohol testing upon the request of the City. When job-related and consistent with business necessity, employees may be required to submit to a physical examination. As a condition of their employment, the employees of the department must authorize the release of medical testing information including drug and alcohol screens to the City for departmental use only.
Each employee authorized to carry and use a gun while at work for the City, and all employees who operate heavy machinery or equipment as their principal form of job activity for the City may be required to submit to an annual physical exam and/or drug screens by a doctor of the employer's choice.
Employees who hold safety-sensitive positions, including but not limited to the following positions: police officers, firefighters, EMT's, those who operate commercial motor vehicles or heavy machinery, or equipment are subject to random drug testing, as well as testing based on reasonable suspicion. For purposes of this Section, reasonable suspicion may include situations where the employee is involved in an auto or other accident during work resulting in injury which requires immediate medical attention or medical attention away from the scene. Testing shall be administered, and testing results shall be conducted and interpreted in accordance with Department of Transportation standards. Any employee refusing to submit to testing, or who shall take any substance to defeat the drug or alcohol test, shall be subject to discipline, up to and including termination. (Ord. No. 1538; 06-14-10)
(M) Prescription Drug Use. Any employee who performs safety- sensitive functions and is taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs or medication which may impact on his or her ability to perform the essential functions of his position or which may pose a direct threat shall report the use of the drugs or medications to the immediate supervisor.
(N) Drug Free Workplace. All employees, as a condition of employment, will comply with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy, attached to this Code as Appendix A.