PEP, Dec. 2002: 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:

Agency equipment and software may only be used for official HRA business.
E-mail may not be used to run or distribute games, screen savers, inspirational messages, jokes, movie clips or advertisements.
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.
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.