[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Great
Neck Estates 9-8-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
General principles.
(1)
Use of the Internet on Village computers is a privilege;
exercise good judgment as you use it. Failure to adhere to these rules may
result in suspending or revoking the offender's privilege of Internet access
and subject the offender to disciplinary actions.
(2)
It is the responsibility of each Internet user to ensure
compliance with all Village computer policies.
(3)
Treat the Internet as a formal communications tool just
as you would the telephone, e-mail and written communications. You are responsible
and accountable for your communication.
(4)
Employees are encouraged to use all forms of electronic
communication as necessary to perform their jobs and/or enhance effectiveness.
(5)
The Internet is intended to facilitate Village-related
business communications and research and shall be used in a responsible, efficient,
ethical, and legal manner in accordance with the mission of the Village.
(6)
Internet access on Village computers will be logged.
If any supervisor suspects excessive or inappropriate use, logs can be reviewed
at any time.
(7)
Use of the Internet should not impact work performance
in any way.
(8)
When in doubt, use common sense or ask a supervisor before
proceeding.
B.
Security issues.
(1)
Downloading of software products from Internet sites
is not permitted without the prior approval of the Village Administrator.
Any software that is downloaded must comply with all licensing and copyright
laws. The Village Administrator will maintain and publish a list of approved
software for installation/downloading. Furthermore, Village employees should
not access, download, scan or install software unrelated to the employee'
s Village tasks.
(2)
Do not share your network passwords or otherwise breach
the security of the Internet/network accounts. Only the Village Administrator
or other person designated by the Village Administrator should have the passwords.
(3)
Computers or terminals shall not be left unattended in
an insecure state. This allows for inappropriate access to records of the
Village, allows unauthorized users access to the Internet, intranet and Village
network, and severely compromises security.
(4)
Village employees shall not tamper with anti-virus software
installed on any Village computer.
C.
Inappropriate use.
(1)
Messages transferred via the Internet are public information.
If you desire to transmit confidential communications or sensitive information,
do not use the Internet.
(2)
The use of racially or sexually derogatory or offensive
language in your communications is prohibited. This concept extents to e-mail
messages, jokes, screen savers, Web sites visited, and any information accessed
by the computer.
(3)
Using the network for personal use, personal business,
personal financial gain, or for any commercial or illegal activity is prohibited.
E-mail or electronic mail is an important communication tool for our
organization. The use of e-mail needs to be encouraged and controlled. Instant
messaging is a form of computer communications growing in popularity. All
the policies for e-mail apply to instant messaging.
A.
E-mail on Village machines, or on Village time, should
be limited to Village business.
B.
Personal use will be acceptable only under the following
circumstances: If you receive a personal e-mail you can briefly read the message
just as you might receive a personal phone call while on the job. A very brief
reply will also be acceptable. However, drafting lengthy replies, receiving
numerous personal messages, or drafting numerous personal messages must be
done on your own time. This means during your break time, lunchtime, or before
or after normal working hours as is acceptable with your supervisor. Excessive
forwarding of jokes, trivial messages, and chain messages is also prohibited.
C.
You may access and use the Village e-mail from home or
outside the office to the extent authorized by the Village Administrator.
However, use of the Village e-mail from home or outside the office is to be
done only in accordance with these policies.
E.
E-mail is not a private and confidential form of communication;
the Internet is not a secure medium of communication. Messages can be intercepted
by internal or external sources. If you desire to transmit confidential communications
or sensitive information, do not use the Internet or e-mail.
F.
Any information residing on a Village computer is subject
to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
G.
If you do not recognize the name of an e-mail sender
use caution; be suspicious of unsolicited messages. Call or e-mail the Village
Administrator or your supervisor if you have questions. If you do not know
the source of the e-mail:
The following are prohibited uses:
A.
Intentionally downloading, accessing, viewing, posting
or transmitting information that is abusive, offensive, harassing, threatens
violence, or that discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age or disability.
B.
Intentionally accessing, viewing, posting or transmitting
sexually explicit material from the Internet. Sexually explicit material includes
any description of or any picture, photograph, drawing, motion-picture film,
digital image or similar visual representation depicting nudity, sexual excitement,
or sexual conduct of any kind.
C.
Operating a business, soliciting money, product advertising,
or conducting transactions for personal gain or profit, or gambling.
D.
Arranging for the sale or purchase of illegal drugs,
alcohol or firearms.
E.
Communication with elected representatives or public
or political organizations to express opinions on political issues outside
of work-related communications. This can be misinterpreted as an official
Village opinion on such issues.
F.
Solicitation for non-Village-sponsored organizations
or functions.
G.
Violation of copyright laws.
H.
Confidential information such as criminal records, juvenile
records, personnel records, etc.
I.
Intentionally creating a computer virus.
J.
Unauthorized hacking or fraudulent activities.
A.
In the event of violations of Village policy, the possible
disciplinary actions are:
B.
In most cases, the appropriate disciplinary action will
be determined by the Village, as provided by law, based upon the circumstances
of the particular matter. However, in some matters, such as sexually explicit
material violations, or crime related to or committed with Village computer
equipment, the initial disciplinary action may be termination of employment.