In order to conduct an orderly and efficient operation of the
County government, it is necessary that certain work rules be established.
Work rules covering standards of conduct as well as standard operating
procedures are necessary to protect the health and safety of all employees,
maintain uninterrupted service, and protect the County's good will
and property. The following work rules shall be applicable to all
County employees. These rules are not intended to be all inclusive.
A.
Employees may be subject to discipline for other actions not specifically
addressed by the work rules but which adversely affect the quality
of County service or the integrity of local government.
B.
Employees must be at their designated work area at the time appointed
by the employer and ready to work. Employees shall remain at their
work area, at work, until the scheduled quitting time unless permission
to leave is granted by their supervisor.
C.
Where operations are continuous, an employee shall not leave his
or her post until replaced by the next shift employee or until he
or she is relieved by his supervisor.
D.
Employees shall not gather on County premises to conduct any business
of a private or personal nature without authorization from the County
Administrator.
E.
Employees shall follow all safety regulations, to include the wearing
of safety articles and the use of protective equipment. Employees
shall immediately report accidents or injury to their supervisor.
F.
Employees shall report for and remain at work only in a fit physical
condition.
G.
Employees who are unable to work shall immediately contact their
supervisor and indicate the reason.
H.
Employees shall be responsible for and shall not misuse the property
of a fellow employee or employees, County property, records, or other
materials in their care, custody, and control. County property, records,
or other material shall not be removed from the premises without written
permission from the department head. The County reserves the right
to search its own property or premises, including but not limited
to an employee's desk, locker, file cabinet.
I.
Employees shall be appropriately attired for the workplace. Office
staff are to avoid wearing jeans at work. Nonuniformed outdoor staff
are to wear clothing suited to job duties.
J.
Employees are required to report to the department head other employment.
Employees shall not wear County uniforms to work at other job sites.
The department head has the right to reject any request for other
employment if it conflicts with the employee's work or the best interest
of the County.
K.
Employees shall avoid littering work areas.
L.
Employees shall deal with the public and other employees in a courteous
and professional manner.
M.
Employees shall immediately report the loss of their badges or identification
cards to their supervisor. Employees shall not allow other persons
to use their badges or identification cards at any time.
N.
Employees shall not park on County premises in prohibited areas.
O.
Employees shall notify their supervisors and the Director of Personnel
whenever there is a change in personnel information, including but
not limited to address, telephone number, marital status, and beneficiaries.
P.
Employees shall not restrict or interrupt work or interfere with
the work of others.
Q.
Employees shall not neglect their duties and responsibilities or
refuse to perform or unreasonably delay assigned work.
R.
Employees shall not engage in unapproved soliciting, use their positions
for personal gain, or use their positions to coerce others.
S.
Employees shall not work in the interest of any political candidate
while on duty, direct other employees to do such work while those
employees are on duty, conduct any political candidate on a partisan
tour of any County work area or distribute materials of a political
nature through any County government system.
T.
Employees shall not post notices on the County premises without prior
written approval from the appropriate authority.
U.
Employees shall not falsify records, reports, or claims of illness
or injury.
V.
Employees shall observe safety precautions and shall not willfully
jeopardize the safety of fellow employees or the public.
X.
Employees who are involved in an incident while driving: a vehicle
or vessel owned, acquired by, or acquired with funds from the County;
a personal vehicle while conducting County business; or operating
heavy equipment, that results in personal injury, damage to a vehicle
or any other property shall inform their Supervisor immediately, and
all employees and operators of vehicles or equipment who did or could
have contributed to the incident shall submit to drug and alcohol
testing to refute the presumption of being under the influence of
drugs, alcohol, or both. Refusal to submit to drug and alcohol testing
shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
of employment, and may include restitution and reimbursement of all
costs, charges, and expenses arising from the incident.
[Amended 6-28-2022 by Ord. No. 28-22]
Y.
Employees who drive a County vehicle must report any on- or off-the-job
driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI)
citations or convictions or any probation before judgment (PBJ) for
any substance impairment charges related to motor vehicle operation,
any moving violations, any suspension notices, failures to undergo
breath analysis or drug testing, or random breath test and/or drug
analysis testing failures, to their supervisors, department heads,
and the Director Personnel no later than five working days after such
citation, conviction or PBJ or may be subject to disciplinary action
for failure to report the citation, conviction or PBJ or inability
to fulfill job requirements.
Z.
Employees of a recreation center or recreation program who primarily
serve minors and employees who are funded by the Developmental Disabilities
Administration (DDA) grant, and any others required by law, and who
have been convicted of or have pending charges for the commission
of or attempt to commit/or assault with intent to commit murder, child
abuse, rape, child pornography, child abduction, kidnapping of a child,
or a sexual offense, defined under Title III, Subtitle III, of the
Criminal Law Article of the State of Maryland, or an equivalent offense,
must notify their supervisors, department heads, and the Director
of Personnel immediately. Failure to do so may be grounds for dismissal.
AA.
Employees shall not report to work under the influence of alcohol,
intoxicants, or illegally used drugs or possess, sell, transfer, or
purchase same, on County premises or work sites while on duty. Employees
who are off duty are subject to any departmental order, oath or code
of conduct which may address or prohibit these activities.
[Amended 6-28-2022 by Ord. No. 28-22]
BB.
Employees shall not engage in any illegal off-the-job activity which
may be related to the safe and efficient execution of their duties,
or any illegal activity while on the job which may be related to the
safe and efficient execution of their duties.
CC.
Employees shall not engage in fighting or gambling (except authorized
fund-raisers for nonprofit purposes) on County property.
DD.
Employees shall not be insubordinate, such as failing or refusing
to carry out any work order or assignment by an immediate supervisor
or department head, or other individual authorized to issue such an
order.
EE.
Employees shall not disclose confidential County information obtained
in the course of employment by the County to a person or persons not
authorized to receive such information.
FF.
Employees shall not sexually harass (as defined by County policy)
another employee or employees.
