[Adopted 4-24-2013 (Ch. 30, Art. III, of the 2016 Code)]
The purpose of this article is to provide guidance for the use of Village-owned computer systems and internet/online service.
A. 
Property. All computer systems, hardware, software and files are the property of the Village of Bloomfield.
B. 
Authority. Department heads have the authority to inspect the contents of any computer equipment, data/files, or electronic mail (email) of their subordinates in the normal course of their supervisory responsibilities. In addition, the data/files of department heads and supervisors may be inspected by the Village Mayor in the normal course of duty.
C. 
Usage.
(1) 
All computer systems, hardware and software provided to an employee are provided for the purpose of aiding that employee in the performance of the employee's job functions. All hardware and software is to be supplied by the Village of Bloomfield. No unauthorized or unlicensed hardware or software may be used or installed on any Village-owned computer. Any hardware or software necessary to perform job duties should be requested of the employee's department head.
(2) 
Using Village computers, internet, and time for personal email, "surfing," Facebook, etc., is highly discouraged.
D. 
Prohibited uses.
(1) 
In addition to the guidelines set forth above, the following uses of Village-owned computers and equipment are prohibited:
(a) 
Any illegal activity;
(b) 
Threats or harassment;
(c) 
Slander or defamation;
(d) 
Transferring of obscene or suggestive messages or graphical images;
(e) 
Any unauthorized commercial activity;
(f) 
Accessing or attempting to access the data/files of another person;
(g) 
Using or aiding in the unauthorized use of another person's password;
(h) 
Harming or destroying data/files (other than editing or deleting information in the normal course of one's job duties);
(i) 
Use of nonbusiness software;
(j) 
Installation or use of any hardware or software not owned by the Village;
(k) 
Installation or use of Village-owned hardware or software for any use that is not Village-related business;
(l) 
Installation or use of any unauthorized or unlicensed hardware or software;
(m) 
Installation of any software containing viruses.
(2) 
This list is meant to be illustrative and not exhaustive.
A. 
Eligibility. Internet/online service is provided to employee workstations as needed.
B. 
"Netiquette" (internet etiquette). Employees are expected to communicate in a manner that will reflect positively on both themselves and the Village of Bloomfield.
C. 
Prohibited uses. In addition to the prohibitions set forth above, any activities prohibited for any other general computer user are also prohibited with respect to internet/online service usage.
D. 
Reliability. The Village of Bloomfield is not responsible for loss or damage to a user's data or for the reliability of information that is obtained via the internet/online service. Also, this information must be used in accordance with applicable copyright laws.
E. 
Security. There is no guarantee of privacy of data/files, including email, on Village-owned computers. As stated herein, all files are subject to inspection by department heads and supervisors.
F. 
Procedure. Anyone with information as to a violation of this article is to report said information to the employee's department head. Once the employee's department head is informed of the violation, a formal process, consistent with the Employee Handbook and/or applicable law, will begin.