[Ord. No. 10516, 9-20-2018; Ord. No. 10681, 9-3-2020; Ord. No. 10776, 10-6-2022; Ord. No. 10803, 4-20-2023]
a. 
No person employed by the City, or seeking employment shall be appointed, promoted, demoted, removed, or in any way favored or discriminated against because of political affiliation, age, race, color, genetic information, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or transgender status or disability unrelated to the ability to perform the job or any other classification protected under applicable State or Federal law.
b. 
No person seeking employment or promotion shall either directly or indirectly give, render, or pay any money, service, or other valuable thing to any person for, or on account of, or in connection with an employment test, appointment, proposed appointment, promotion, or proposed promotion.
c. 
No City employee shall solicit any contribution for the campaign fund of any candidate for Kirkwood City office or take part in the political campaign of any candidate while on duty or in uniform or wearing any attire identifying the City of Kirkwood. All employees may exercise their rights as private citizens to express opinions and, if registered voters in Kirkwood, sign a nominating petition for any City candidate and vote in any City election. Political affiliation, participation, or contribution shall not be considered in making any City employment decision. No City officer, employee, or member of a board or commission shall use official authority or official influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of any election to or nomination for Kirkwood City office. No City officer, employee, or member of a board or commission shall directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command, advise, or solicit a City employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political or electoral purposes.
d. 
No employee, either full- or part-time of the City, while on duty or while in uniform that identifies the individual as an employee of the City shall:
a. 
Canvass on behalf of any candidate, political party, or political issue;
b. 
Display a political picture, sticker, badge, or button;
c. 
Attend a political rally, fund raising function, or other political gathering;
d. 
Circulate or sign a political petition; or
e. 
Serve as an election judge or clerk.
e. 
No employee shall place, or allow to remain, upon a City vehicle used by the employee in the course of employment any political picture, sticker, badge, or button.
f. 
No person currently serving on any City Board or Commission may become a full-time or part-time employee of the City while so serving on any City Board or Commission and no full-time or part-time employee of the City shall be appointed to any City Board or Commission while employed with the City. This provision does not apply to any person classified by the City as a temporary employee.
g. 
Nothing in this article shall be construed to restrict an employee's freedom to express an opinion or exercise the right to vote.
h. 
No employee of the City shall use City equipment, personnel, facilities, or resources to promote or help promote any civic, social, business, or political candidate, or any non-City of Kirkwood purpose without the express written consent of the Chief Administrative Officer.
i. 
No employee shall accept or be influenced in his or her duties by an offer of any payment, gift or favor from any source, other than their regular compensation from the City. It is particularly important that employees refrain from accepting gifts where it might be construed as evidence of favoritism or unfair advantage relative to any supplier or vendor. These limitations are not intended to prohibit the acceptance of: a) small gifts of no significant value, such as pens, pencils, note pads and other items which can be used in the performance of work duties; and b) non-alcoholic consumable items such as food, of no significant value, that can be shared equally on the City premises by all employees. Alcoholic beverages or gifts of significant value sent to the City or City employees shall remain unopened and be returned to the sender.