(a) Village issued cellular telephones, pagers and desk telephones are intended for official business use. While occasional personal use is permitted, it must be responsible and it must be clearly incidental to business use. Employees must reimburse the Village for any long distance costs associated with personal use of Village issued telephones.
(b) Cellular telephones and pagers may be issued only to those employees with a demonstrated need for these types of communication. Only authorized personnel within Departments shall request cellular telephones and pagers. Employees who use a village issued cellular telephone or pager agree to the following rules of use.
(1) Employees must reimburse the Village for any costs associated with personal use. Personal use must be clearly incidental to business use. Personal use with associated charges must be reported to supervisors.
(2) Employees must safeguard any cellular telephone and pager equipment in their possession.
(3) The loss of any cellular telephone or pager equipment shall be reported to the employee’s supervisor immediately. If theft is suspected, the Police Department should also be notified immediately. Employee shall reimburse the Village for lost equipment.
(4) Employees shall exercise extreme caution talking on a cellular telephone while driving. Unless utilizing a “hands-free” speakerphone option, employees should move to a safe location, stop their vehicle as soon as safely possible, to use cellular phones.
(5) Employees shall limit all cellular calls to no more than five minutes, unless call is of an immediate emergency nature. Calls over the five-minute limit shall be documented and justification will be required.
(6) When an employee no longer has a demonstrated need for the cellular telephone or pager, or when the employee terminates employment with any Village Department, that employee shall return any cellular telephone and pager equipment to that Department.
(7) Any employee who exceeds their monthly-allotted minutes and/or package dollar amount, unless directed by a supervisor, shall be subject to an immediate audit for the previous twelve-month period. Costs that are associated with excessive use and/or personal costs that are not reimbursed by the employee at the time of the audit may be considered theft and will result in appropriate corrective action.
(8) After three instances of repeated non-compliance with this policy and failure to remain within allotted minutes, costs, etc. shall result in progressive discipline and may result in loss of use of cellular and/or paging equipment.
(Ord. 28-2004. Passed 11-1-04.)