Admin 409 hard

Solicitation and Visitors

• Solicitation salespeople, canvassers, and others not employed by the County are prohibited from visiting work areas without permission from the County Administrator.
• Soliciting contributions or memberships during employee work time is prohibited.
• Distribution of literature is allowed during employee breaks in designated areas.

Smoking

• Smoking is prohibited in County buildings and vehicles.
• Smoking is allowed during normal break times and in designated areas.

Postings and Notices

• The Intranet and bulletin boards are used to communicate official government information.
• Designated bulletin boards may be used for County-related business.
• Postings must be approved by the department whose bulletin board will be used.
• Postings on doors, walls, windows, or other areas not designated for such postings are prohibited.

County Message Board

• County employees are permitted to post items on the electronic bulletin board, providing all County Ordinances are adhered to.
• Messages sent to the "Everyone Group," "BCC All Group," and the County Message Board must be approved by the County Administrator or designee.
• Prohibited postings include content that is obscene, pornographic, libelous, promotes religious or political activities, advocates violence, bigotry, or bias.

Political Activities

• Employees are permitted to be politically active but are not permitted to be a candidate for political office, hold political office, or hold an office in a political party as an employee of the County.
• Active or passive political campaigning or solicitation for political contributions during working hours is prohibited.

Conflict of Interest

• County employees shall not have personal investments in any enterprise that could create a substantial conflict between their private interests and the public interest.
• Employees must not maintain relationships with organizations, businesses, or individuals with which they have official County business.

Personal Business

• Employees shall only conduct official County business during work hours.
• Personal business may not be conducted at work.
• The use of County property and/or equipment may not be used for personal business.

Personal Appearance and Grooming

• Employees are expected to take pride in their personal appearance and meet appropriate grooming standards.

Dress Code

• Work attire shall reflect a customer-oriented and professionally operated organization.
• Casual business attire is acceptable in the office environment during regular business hours.
• Department policy may vary based on safety regulations, tasks performed, and the customers served.

Performance Evaluations

• Written employee evaluations will be prepared at least annually.
• Evaluations are used for informing employees of their work performance, recognizing potential for promotion, determining eligibility for salary advancements, and determining training needs.

Outside Employment

• Employees who engage in secondary employment may not allow that employment to interfere or conflict with County work and interest.
• Outside employment must be approved by the Department Director and Human Resources using the designated form.
• Outside employment may not conflict with the employee's duties with the County or have an association with any business that has an unfavorable or questionable reputation.

Confidentiality

• Employees shall not disclose confidential information gained through their employment with any person who does not have the need to know.
• Employees are prohibited from using privileged information for their personal gain or benefit.

County Telephone Use

• County-provided telephones are intended for the conduct of St. Johns County business.
• All calls are to be handled in a professional manner.
• Personal incoming and outgoing phone calls should be a rare occurrence and are restricted to local or toll-free calls only.

Cell Phone Use

• The use of personal cellular phones or other communication devices is restricted to non-duty time.
• The policy and procedure for the safe use of cellular devices in vehicles are located in the Employee Handbook.

Computer Use

• Any employee using a St. Johns County computer is considered a user and is obliged to comply with the policy.
• The County computer system may only be used for the purpose of conducting County business and may only be accessed by authorized users.

Appropriate Conduct

• Employees are expected to adhere to accepted business principles in matters of professional and personal conduct.
• Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to, negligence, inefficiency, inability to perform assigned duties, insubordination, willful violation of County rules and regulations, and misconduct.

Disciplinary Action

• St. Johns County uses a progressive discipline process.
• Disciplinary actions may take the form of verbal warning, written warning, suspension, change in assignment, reduction in pay, demotion, or termination.

Grievance/Appeals

• The County is committed to providing fair treatment to all employees.
• The procedure for solving problems, resolving disputes, and appealing employment decisions is established in the employee handbook.

Resignation

• Employees who resign after giving a minimum of two (2) weeks' advanced notice may be entitled to the payment of accrued leave.

Abandonment of Position

• Employees who are absent for three (3) consecutive working days without authorized leave will be considered to have abandoned their position and will have their employment terminated.