(a) For the purposes of including “cellular phones and services” under the terms and provisions set forth in this section, wherever email and/or internet is referenced, “cellular phones and services” shall be referenced as well without making a revision edit to include these terms. This shall apply to all sections and subsections set forth within this section.

(a) “Computer system” includes individual desktop computers (PCs), email system, internet access, laptop computers, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, file servers, and all other components of the town’s computer network.

(b) “Email” means the town’s electronic mail system.

(c) “Intranet” means a website containing content for internal use.

(d) “Internet” means a world-wide network of computers.

(e) “Web browsing” means use of a browser tool to access websites on the internet.

(f) “Streaming audio” means technology used to play audio/video on a PC over a network. Can be used for music, voice, lectures and other audio/video material. It generally consists of a continuous stream of data coming from a network.

(g) “Cellular phones” means cellular phones or services provided by the town.

(a) Use of the town’s computer system to engage in any communication which violates federal, state, or local laws, codes, and regulations, town policies and procedures is strictly prohibited at all times.

(b) In addition, the following uses of the town’s systems are inappropriate and are prohibited at all times unless there is a legitimate business need. That need must be conveyed to and the use authorized by the employee’s department director in writing prior to such use. Inappropriate uses of the town’s system include, but are not limited to:

(a) The town’s computer systems may be used by employees for town business.

(b) The system may also be utilized for occasional or incidental personal use only if:

(c) Examples of acceptable incidental or personal use of the system include: advising others about an employee’s vacation, marriage, birth, etc.

(a) All email messages, whether created or received, are the property of the town of Cathlamet and will generally be considered to be public records, with certain exceptions, and therefore will be subject to disclosure pursuant to the Public Disclosure Act, Chapter 42.17 RCW, and the public will be deemed to have the right to examine most public records. If there is concern about potential public disclosure of the substance of a communication then email should not be used.

(b) Email is not an appropriate form of communication with legal counsel when seeking legal advice involving town business or transmitting information concerning matters in litigation or disputes that are likely to result in litigation. Inadvertent disclosure or dissemination of communication with the town’s legal counsel could waive the attorney-client privilege.

(c) Employees should be aware that any computer, whether networked or stand-alone, may be accessible to other users. The town cannot guarantee the privacy of email communications, whether internal or external. Employees should never assume that no one else can read their email except themselves, and thus should be careful with the language they use and how they use it. Don’t ever say things which you could regret later.

(d) Employees shall refrain from posting any materials which violate federal or state laws or town ordinances, resolutions or personnel policies. These shall include, but are not limited to, those that constitute: discrimination, sexual, racial or religious harassment, slander and/or defamation towards any individual, corporation, agency or organization and/or disparagement of any trade, business or product.

(e) Employees shall refrain from posting or transmittal of any materials containing obscene, pornographic or profane materials of any kind, including jokes, cartoons, photographs or any other text-based or digitized images. Racism, sexism and other discriminatory or inappropriate behaviors are not tolerated by the town.

(f) Employees shall refrain from any type of postings that constitute a solicitation of any type (i.e., political, religious, personal gain, or in support of any illegal activity).

(g) Employees shall refrain from any posting that may enter the realm of commercial advertising or political campaigning.

(h) For personal safety and the safety of others, always exercise caution when communicating with others by email. Never give out your personal information to anyone from town computers or equipment.

(a) The Internet is a great storehouse of information and contains resources that can greatly enhance our ability to deliver cost-effective services to our customers. The town encourages exploration of the Internet for legitimate business-related or professional activities.

(b) During the employee’s normal work hours, the primary use of the town’s Internet account shall be for legitimate town business only. General exploration of the Internet or other personal use of the town’s Internet account shall be limited to the employee’s nonwork hours with the approval of their authorized supervisor.

(c) Employees who work within the public’s visual sight should be cognizant of public perception and should use care and discretion in providing an appropriate image of the town while using the Internet during the town’s normal work hours.

(d) Employees may not use personal Internet accounts or use town computers or equipment to reach personal websites.

(a) The town treats all information transmitted through or stored in the system, including email messages, as business information. An employee or anyone else using the town’s computer has no expectation of privacy in the use of that computer. The town has the capability and retains the right to access, review, copy, modify, and delete any or all of such business information for any purpose and to disclose it to any party (inside or outside the town) it deems appropriate or as required by law.

(b) Those files containing personal information of any employee as a result of the employee making incidental use for personal purposes, including transmission of personal email messages, will be treated no differently than other business files and information. Accordingly, employees should not use the computer system to send, receive or store any information that they wish to keep private.