[Adopted 12-17-1997 by Ord. No. 33-97]
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Maywood
carry out their responsibilities in an objective and nonpartisan manner
for the common good of the Borough. There must, therefore, be no interference
in the administration by partisan political influence or considerations.
This instruction establishes standards or political conduct as a condition
of employment and continued employment for all Borough personnel in
order to adhere to Borough policy.
[Amended 6-5-2008 by Ord. No. 15-08]
A.
No Borough employee shall take part in any partisan
political activities in the Borough of Maywood:
B.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, when
a Borough employee shall participate in partisan political activities
in the Borough of Maywood he/she shall not represent himself/herself
as a Borough employee.
C.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this policy,
no Borough employee shall participate in any activities, whether outside
employment, political activities or community or social affairs, which
prohibit or affect him/her in the performance of his/her duties as
a Borough employee.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The seeking or holding of any position, title or office which
is representative of a municipal, state or national political party
or any other party in furtherance of any fundraising or political
campaign of any such political party.
All activities directed toward the nomination or election
of a candidate in a general or special election for a municipal, state
or national office or for any other office for which there is a candidate
representing any political party.
This instruction covers all Borough employees,
including employees on leave of absence. Permanent and probationary
employees are subject to these political activity restrictions at
all times; temporary employees are subject to the restrictions for
the entire 24 hours of any day of actual employment.
[Amended 6-5-2008 by Ord. No. 15-08]
A.
This instruction is not intended to interfere with
the basic rights of Borough employees as citizens to:
(1)
Vote as they choose. Political activity restrictions
do not relieve an employee of his/her obligation as a citizen to inform
himself/herself of the issues and to register and vote.
(2)
Express their views on all political subjects and
candidates.
(3)
Petition Congress, the New Jersey Legislatures, or
any member thereof, provided that they do not represent themselves
as spokesperson for the Borough or use Borough stationery for this
purpose, and provided that the work and program of the Borough is
not involved in any such petition or issue. Employee organizations
may use their letterheads to write to legislators in reference to
legislation affecting their membership.
B.
Employees may also:
(1)
Join political clubs and attend political rallies.
(2)
Make a voluntary campaign contribution to any regularly
constituted political or campaign organization for its general expenditures.
(3)
Wear a political badge or button outside of their
normal working hours or display a political sticker on their private
automobiles.
(4)
Accept appointment as members of public agencies or
institutions, such as boards of education, school committees, boards
of public libraries and planning boards, provided that their department
head decides that the holding of these local offices will not conflict
or interfere with the discharge of their Borough duties.
(5)
Participate in a nonpartisan political campaign in
which party designation, nomination and sponsorship are completely
absent. They may be candidates for office in such election and may
hold office after election if clearance has been obtained as described
in the previous subsection.
(6)
Sign petitions, including nominating petitions.
(7)
Participate actively on public questions and issues,
such as constitutional amendments and referenda, so long as they do
not involve the work and programs of the Borough.
[Amended 6-5-2008 by Ord. No. 15-08]
A.
Make any political contribution in a building owned,
leased or operated by the Borough or to some other employee of the
Borough.
B.
Inquire regarding political opinions or affiliations
of any person as a test of fitness for Borough employment or promotion,
or in any situation involving the disciplining or dismissal of a Borough
employee; or appoint, dismiss or change official rank or pay of any
employee because of such political opinions or affiliation.
C.
Use or promise to use (directly or indirectly) any
official authority or influence (possessed or merely anticipated)
to secure any advantage in employment for any employee or preference
on behalf of a person or organization with whom the Borough transacts
business for the purpose of influencing the vote or political action
of that person or organization.
Employees are responsible for seeing that their
activities do not constitute violations of the policies expressed
in this instruction. The examples of permitted and prohibited political
activities are not intended to be exhaustive. If an employee wishes
to engage in an activity other than those which are specifically permitted
by this instruction, he/she should describe the circumstances in writing
to the department head, copies to the Mayor and Council, for consideration
before engaging in the activity.
