HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUPPTL INFO - Replaced CopyPOLICY STATEMENT
With the development and use of net, im
wireless cellular phones\have now b
Cellular telephones can b- a reliable
authorized persons to more effective)
properly utilized and controlled,
contact with their office and/or be
when employees are on -call or in an
POLICY PROCEDURES
CITY OF PALM DESERT
WIRELESS CELLULAR PHONE
STIPEND POLICY
oved, and affordable forms of communication,
standard tool in the workplace environment.
portant instrument in assisting employees and
accomplish their duties and responsibilities. When
his mobile form of communication permits users to remain in
vailable when needed, such as when traveling and in cases
mergency situation.
The City will pay a monthly cellular phon- stipend in the amount of $50.00 for authorized
employees and/or authorized persons.
A. All cellular phone stipend requests must be .ubmitted in writing to the Director of Special
Programs by the employee's or authorize • person's Department Head with written
approval from the Department's ACM.
B. Designated employees and authorized persons m t maintain cellular phone service in
order to remain eligible for the monthly allowance •rovided by the City. Designated
employees and authorized persons shall provide docu entation to the Special Programs
Department, as requested to verify continued ownershi• and business use of a cellular
phone in order to maintain their monthly allowance. 'e City does not require the
employee or authorized person receiving the stipend to ••ntract with any particular
service provider, or utilize any particular type of cellular ph• e equipment in order to
receive the stipend.
C. Employees and authorized persons receiving the stipend are exp- ted to be available
via cellular telephone during normal business hours, as workload -quires, per work
schedule, while on -call duty, in emergency situations or as agreed upon ith supervisor.
D. Employees and authorized persons receiving the stipend shall provide heir cellular
number and any subsequent changes to the number to the Specia Programs
Department and to their Department Head and/or Assistant City Manager.
E. The employee and/or authorized person will be responsible for purchase, replace
and/or repair of their cellular phone and equipment.
,
F. Effective July 1, 2008, California SB1613 requires that all motorists shall not drive while
using a "wireless telephone" unless the phone is "specifically designed and configured to
allow hands -free listening and talking". If an employee or authorized person is cited by
law enforcement for use of a wireless cellular phone without use of a hands -free
configuration while driving, the repercussions of the ticket are the responsibility of that
employee or authorized person.
CITY OF PALM DESERT
WIRELESS CELLULAR PHONE STIPEND POLICY
PAGE 2 of 2
G'.. Employees and authorized persons receiving the stipend may upgrade their plan,
equipment, and/or change wireless services at their own cost. However, the service
Provider for the push to talk cellular phones provided by the City to certain employees
and authorized persons is Nextel. Therefore, any managers, directors, ACMs, or others
that supervise field staff and have wireless cell phone service with a provider other than
Nextel Will be required to carry a push to talk cellular phone during normal business
hours or en needed. Please note: as the City is free to change cellular phone
providers at ytime, this policy will remain in place.
H. Payment of any cellular phone use in excess of the $50.00 stipend shall be the personal
responsibility of th', user. Any additional services or phone features, e.g. cameras,
networking/internet capabilities, and shared plans are the financial responsibility of the
employee and/or authorized person.
Each cellular phone user will be held accountable for his/her own actions, which affect
such resources.
LEGAL AND ETHICAL LIMITATIONS 'ON THE USE OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES FOR
BUSINESS PURPOSES
While the City recognizes and respects users' fights to freedom of speech, such rights are not
absolute. Speech, which is fraudulent, libelous, o cene, harassing, or threatening is not permitted
under State or Federal law, and is in direct violatio of City policies addressing such and the City's
Personnel Rules. While conducting City business, u ers are expressly prohibited from using their
cellular phones to engage in such conduct. Users viol ng this section will be subject to disciplinary
action up to and including termination, and in appropria - circumstances, a referral for prosecution
for the violation of criminal laws. The City's personnel R es define the behaviors identified above
that are prohibited whether the employee is using a City i .ued push to talk cellular phone, a cell
phone for which the employee receives a stipend, or a person: I cell phone.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
I have received and read the City of Palm Desert's Wireless Cel lar Phone Stipend Policy and
understand its provisions. I also understand that the City -provide • cellular telephone allowance
will be discontinued if I do not maintain a cellular telephone and -ervice or if found guilty of
cellular phone misuse as described above. I further understa 'd that when I sign this
acknowledgement form it will be placed in my personnel file.
PRINT NAME
CELL PHONE NUMBER
DIRECT CONNECT NUMBER (FOR NEXTEL CUSTOMERS)
WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR NUMBERS TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST GIVEN TO • MPL YEES?
YES NO
SIGNATURE
DATE
3/18/2008