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RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ POLITICAL FREEDOM ACT AND EMPLOYEE’S DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY NOT ABUSE THIS RIGHT
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WHEREAS, A.C.A. §21-1-207 states that no employee…of a municipality… shall be deprived of his or her right to run as a candidate for an elective office or to express his or her opinion as a citizen on political subjects; unless as necessary to meet the requirements of federal law;
WHEREAS, each employee has the duty and the responsibility not to abuse this right by refraining from campaigning or conducting other political activity during business hours or while on duty, by refraining from using city property for campaign purposes or for other political activity, or by refraining from harassing other city employees or addressing the public in an unprofessional manner concerning campaign purposes or other political activity;
WHEREAS, the City of Jonesboro Employee Handbook, the Police Department Manual and the Civil Service Manual set out guidelines regarding conduct during business hours or while on duty, use of city property and harassment of other city employees and conduct toward the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Jonesboro Employee Handbook, the Police Department Manual and the Civil Service Manual designates disciplinary action against city employees who violate these procedures including written reprimand, suspension and termination dependant upon the frequency and severity of the unauthorized action.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS THAT:
The City of Jonesboro recognizes our employees’ rights to be candidates for elective office or express his or her opinions as a citizen on political subjects; unless as necessary to meet the requirements of federal law; and
The City of Jonesboro reminds our city employees that each employee has a duty and responsibility not to abuse this right by improper actions or behavior or by actions precluded in the applicable city employee handbook.
PASSED AND ADOTPED THIS 20th DAY OF DECEMBER, 2004.