#03 - Personnel Policy Update - Laserfiche WebLink

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CELLULAR PHONE USE #256 This policy is intended to define acceptable and unacceptable uses of city-issued cellular telephones. Its application is to ensure cellular phone usage is consistent with the best interests of the city without unnecessary restrictions of employees in the conduct of their duties. This policy will be implemented to prevent the improper use or abuse of cellular phones and to ensure that city employees exercise the highest standards of propriety in their use. Cellular telephones are intended for the use of city employees in the conduct of their work for the city. Supervisors are responsible for the cellular telephones assigned to their employees and will exercise discretion in their use. Nothing in this policy will limit supervisor discretion to allow reasonable and prudent personal use of such telephones or equipment provided: • Its use in no way limits the conduct of work of the employee or other employees. • No personal profit is gained, or outside employment is served. • All employees are expected to follow applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding the use of cellphones at all times. Employees whose job responsibilities include regular or occasional driving and who are issued a cellphone for business use are expected to refrain from using their phone while driving. Safety must come before all other concerns. Regardless of the circumstances and in accordance with Minnesota law, employees are required to use hands-free operations or pull off into a parking lot and safely stop the vehicle before placing or accepting a call. • Employees are encouraged to refrain from discussion of complicated or emotional matters and to keep their eyes on the road while driving at all times. Special care should be taken in situations where there is traffic or inclement weather, or the employee is driving in an unfamiliar area. Hands-free equipment will be provided with city-issued phones to facilitate the provisions of this policy. • Reading/sending text messages, making or receiving phone calls, emailing, video calling, scrolling/typing, accessing a webpage, or using non-navigation applications while driving is strictly prohibited. • In accordance with State law, there is an exception to hands free cell phone operations to obtain emergency assistance to report a traffic accident, medical emergency or serious traffic hazard or prevent a crime from being committed. There is also a state law exception for authorized emergency vehicles while in the performance of official duties. • Employees who are charged with traffic violations resulting from the use of their phone while driving will be solely responsible for all liabilities that result from such actions. See above “City Driving Policy” for more information on reporting driver’s license restrictions”. Regardless of who pays the bill, cell phone records about city business are subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. What this means is that if a request were received, the city would be under the obligation to determine what information is public data and what information is private data and would need access to the employee’s phone records and possibly the phone itself in order to provide the data that is being requested. Therefore, the best practice is to limit usage of personal cell phones for city business to that which is truly necessary or be prepared to produce your cell phone and the associated records if needed. An employee will not be reimbursed for business-related calls without prior authorization from his/her supervisor. Supervisors may also prohibit employees from carrying their own personal cell phones during