The District may issue cell phones to employees when there is a valid District related business purpose for the employee to have access to a cell phone. Prior to issuing an employee a District cell phone, the District will evaluate the employee’s job assignment and responsibilities and determine whether the employee should be issued a District cell phone. If the District determines an employee will be issued a District cell phone, the District will determine the appropriate cell phone plan for the employee.
An employee’s use of a District cell phone will be limited to District business. Personal use of District cell phones will only be allowed on a limited and infrequent basis. An employee’s use of a District issued cell phone will be subject to the District’s appropriate use of district technology, network systems, and internet access policy. Employees using a District issued cell phone will be assigned a limit on data. If the user exceeds the allotted amount per month they may be charged a nominal fee (not to exceed the amount per Gigabyte that carriers may charge) for each Gigabyte over their allotted amount.
If employees are operating motor vehicles or equipment, they may use District issued cell phones only for telephone calls in handsfree mode and may not use District issued cell phones for any other reason. Employees who are involved in an accident and/or charged with violations of the law resulting from the use of a District cell phone while operating motor vehicles or equipment will be solely responsible for all liabilities that result from such actions, including, but not limited to all damages, costs, fees, and fines.
Any District cell phone issued to an employee is District property and all communications over and activity conducted on any District cell phone is subject to being monitored and reviewed by the District. An employee who has been issued a District cell phone is expected to protect it from loss, damage or theft and will be responsible for any damages or charges that result from the employee’s failure to exercise due care. If an employee is issued a District cell phone and it is lost or stolen, the employee must notify the District so that service can be discontinued. An employee shall notify the District if a District cell phone the employee has been issued malfunctions. Upon separation from employment or at any time upon request, the employee may be asked to produce a District cell phone issued to the employee for return or inspection. Employees unable to present a District issued cell phone in good working condition within twenty-four (24) hours of being asked to produce it may be required to bear the cost of replacing the cell phone and may be subject to disciplinary action.
Employees shall restrict use of personal cell phones to break periods or lunch periods. Personal cell phones shall be turned off during business hours. Employees shall not conduct district business while using their personal cell phones.
An employee’s failure to comply with this policy may subject the employee to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
*Adopted: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 03/12/12
*Revised: 11/18/13
*Revised: 5/8/17
*Reviewed: 5/9/22