376 Personnel Policy Amendment-Internet Use Policy~~
CITY OF YELM
RESOLUTION NO. 376
PERSONNEL POLICY AMENDMENT -INTERNET USF POLICY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AMENDING CITY
PERSONNEL POLICIES TO ADD TO CHAPTER 8, EMPLOYEE
RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT, A NEW SECTION TITLED "8.13
INTERNET USE POLICY."
WHEREAS, Resolution 376 adopting City of Yelm Personnel Policies
defines an "Internet Use" policy to ensure that use of the Internet among employees of
the City of Yelm is consistent with City policies, all applicable laws; and the individual
user's job responsibilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YELM
DOES RESOLVE THAT THE YELM PERSONNEL POLICIES SHALL BE AMENDED
AS FOLLOWS:
Yelm Personnel Policies, Chapter 8, is hereby amended by the addition of
Section 8.13, text shown below:
8.13 INTERNET USE POLICY.
(a) POLICY INTRODUCTION
It is the policy of the City of Yelm to encourage effective and efficient use of all
City equipment for completion of city business. This includes use of the Internet
for City employees: to provide information to City residents, businesses and
other governmental agencies; to search for information; and, for information
exchange.
With the widespread use of the Internet as an information exchange medium,
employees are able to access data that exists on the World Wide Web. Along
with this access to the Web comes the potential for abuse. The intention of this
policy is to outline issues regarding access, and to set out the rules to be
followed for Internet access.
(b) ACCESSES TO THE INTERNET
Authorized employees will have immediate access to the Internet. They may
designate someone else, in special circumstances, to have access for business
purposes only. A critical concern is that nothing is transported from the World
Wide Web which might contaminate and compromise the city computer systems.
CITY OF YELM
RESOLUTION NO: 376
All workstations with Internet access will be provided with an internal virus
scanning mechanism.
Internet access is primarily for business purposes, although limited personal use
during breaks or before/after work hours is acceptable within reason.
By using the Internet access provided, every employee agrees that he or she is
aware of the policy and that the Internet records may be read or monitored by
authorized individuals.
(c) DOWNLOADING/UPLOADING FILES
Files are not to be downloaded from the Internet without express consent by the
employee's Department Head. The possibility of downloading a file with a
computer virus is great and care must be taken not to contaminate any
computers in the City. Files downloaded from the Internet, or any other outside
service, must be scanned by a virus checking software prior to being used on a
City computer. Department Heads can contact Information Services for options
available for virus checking of downloaded files. Files are not to be uploaded to
the Internet without express consent by the ,employee's Department Head. Files
uploaded to the Internet have the possibility of being intercepted by others and
used against the City's interest.
(d) PROHIBITED USES OF THE INTERNET - Inappropriate use includes, but is
not limited to:
Commercial use -any form of commercial use of the Internet is prohibited;
Copyright violations -any use of the Internet that violates copyright laws is
prohibited;
Harassment -the use of the Internet to harass employees, vendors, customers,
and others is prohibited;
Political -the use of the Internet for political purposes is prohibited;
Aliases -the use of aliases while using the Internet is prohibited. Anonymous
messages are not to be sent. Also, the misrepresentation of an employee's job
title, job description, or position in the City is prohibited;
Misinformation/Confidential Information -the release of untrue, distorted, or
confidential information regarding City business is prohibited;
Non-Business Related Information -any illegal or unethical activity or any activity
which could adversely affect the City is prohibited. This includes, but is not
limited to, entertainment sites or pornographic sites.
(e) LEGAL ISSUES
(1) Copyrights -most of the information available on the Internet is
CITY OF YELM
RESOLUTION NO. 376
copyrighted. It is illegal to reproduce or distribute copyrighted information
regardless of its source. It is the Department Head's responsibility to
ensure that copyrighted information is not misused by the employees.
Violation of copyright laws endangers the City and legal remedies include
large fines.
(2) Discrimination -harassing messages, derogatory comments, or other
forms of discrimination based upon race, sex, religion, or creed is against
the law. It is the Department Head's responsibility to ensure that
employees do not engage in discriminatory behavior while accessing the
Internet. Violation of discrimination laws include fines and jail time.
(3) Privacy - an employee's rights while accessing the Internet by use of City
property does not include the right to privacy. The City reserves the
express right to monitor, in any way, the activities of the employee while
accessing the Internet. Violation of City policy regarding Internet use may
result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Court cases
have upheld a business' right to monitor and discipline employees based
upon electronic activities which are prohibited by a company's policy.
ADOPTED this 28 day of October 1998.
. ~.
a ryn M. Wolf, ayor
Authenticated:
Agn s P. Bennick, City Clerk
CITY OF YELM
RESOLUTION NO. 376