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Public Service Announcement
HRA e-mail alert
HRA employees have recently been subjected to
disciplinary action regarding alleged personal use of the agency
e-mail system.
Local 1549 and the DC 37 Clerical-Administrative Division are making
sure employees' rights are protected, but the union has issued a
warning to members: Be aware of the agency's official policy as
stated in Executive Order No. 655 and Procedure No. 99-09.
The Human Resources Administration issued the directive on the use
of computer equipment and the e-mail system in May, 2000, and redistributed
it in October. The policy says:
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Agency equipment and software may only be
used for official HRA business.
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E-mail may not be used to run or distribute
games, screen savers, inspirational messages, jokes, movie clips
or advertisements.
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Employees may use only HRA-purchased software.
No other software may be installed. Games may not be installed
on hard drives or operated from diskettes or CDs.
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Personally owned equipment such as Palm Pilots,
scanners, laptops and modems may not be connected to the HRA
network.
The agency stated directly: "Illicit or inappropriate
use of e-mail will result in disciplinary action. Use of HRA e-mail
for non-work related personal business is prohibited."
HRA also told workers e-mail messages on agency computers are neither
personal nor private and that employees should have no expectation
of privacy in the e-mail system.
Members of Local 1549 who have additional questions about the use
of e-mail are encouraged to call the Clerical Division at (212)
815-1020 and consult with their reps.
If union members in other locals or in other agencies are being
hit with disciplinary action regarding their use of city e-mail
systems, they should contact their shop steward, union rep or local
officer.
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