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Frequently Asked Questions about the City's Equipment Use Policy <br /> 1. What would be considered "incidental, infrequent, and of short duration" when it <br /> comes to using my City computer or the internet for personal use? <br /> Incidental means that there is no or negligible cost to the City as a result of the use. Infrequent <br /> and of short duration generally mean personal use should be as brief as possible (less than one <br /> hour) around 2 to 3 times per week. Remember, personal use is on personal time, i.e., rest breaks, <br /> meal periods and before and after work as defined by collective bargaining agreements, City <br /> policies and department work rules. Personal time including breaks and meal periods occurs at <br /> different times of day and is structured differently for employees in varied positions, work teams, <br /> classifications and units. This policy does not eliminate the need for individual employees and <br /> supervisors to establish a clear, mutual understanding around work rules and expectations. <br /> 2. Can I use my City computer for personal e-mail during' working (paid) hours? <br /> Yes, but only on rare occasions when there is an urgent need to communicate with family <br /> members, doctors, service technicians or school personnel, or to take care of a variety of other <br /> time - sensitive matters during paid working hours. Rare generally means something that occurs on <br /> average 2 to 3 times a month. Such personal use is permitted only when the use cannot wait until <br /> a rest period, meal periods, or after work, and the communication is brief (around 2 -3 minutes). <br /> 3. Can I use a desk telephone for personal phone calls? <br /> Yes, you are allowed to use a City desk telephone briefly and occasionally for personal use, as <br /> long as it is before or after work, on your rest break or at meal periods. Personal phone calls <br /> made on City telephones should be brief as possible (around 2 -3 minutes). As with e-mail use, <br /> you may have a need to call a family member, doctor, service technician or school personnel, or <br /> take care of other time - sensitive matters during working hours. On rare occasions, you may use <br /> your desk phone for this purpose on paid time provided that it is brief (around 2 -3 minutes). <br /> Again, rare generally means an average of 2 to 3 times per month. (See Question 2). Long <br /> distance calls are permissible only if you use a personal calling card. If it is an emergency and <br /> you do not have a personal calling card, you may make a long distance call and reimburse the <br /> City as soon as possible afterwards. You should notify your supervisor immediately if this occurs. <br /> 4. Can I use my personal cell phone for personal phone calls during working hours? <br /> Use of your personal cell phone should occur before or after work, during rest breaks or while <br /> you are on meal periods. On rare occasions, you may use your personal cell phone during paid <br /> work hours to call a family member, doctor, service technician or school personnel, or take care <br /> of other time - sensitive matters. See Questions 2 and 3 for the criteria governing such use on paid <br /> work time. <br /> 5. Can I use my City computer or desk telephone to make personal credit card purchases <br /> such as buying items, making catalog purchases, purchasing airline tickets, ordering <br /> sports tickets, etc? <br /> The City allows limited personal use of City computers and the intemet to make such purchases. <br /> However, such personal use is permitted only on personal time, i.e. rest breaks, meal periods <br /> and/or before and after work and your use must meet the criteria outlined in Question 1. Such <br /> Human Resources Revised: 07/26/07 <br />