[Adopted 6-18-2008 by Res. No. 2008-18]
The purpose of this policy is to provide clear
standards of conduct regarding political activity for all County employees
and to protect employees from participating in prohibited political
activity, as defined. Further, the purpose of this policy is to ensure
a separation between County business functions and political campaign
activities.
A.
It is the policy of the County of York to encourage
employees to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship,
while prohibiting employees from engaging in activities that interfere
with another employee's right to voluntarily participate or refrain
from participating in political activities or from engaging in activities
which use County funds and/or resources for political activity.
B.
The County of York requires strict adherence to federal,
state and local laws and regulations when an employee seeks an elective
office in a partisan election. County employees covered by other political
activity restrictions such as the PA State Ethics Act,[1] the Hatch Act[2] or the PA State Civil Service Commission statutes and
regulations shall be governed by those requirements in addition to
this policy.
C.
Due to the need to handle all operations in a nonpartisan
manner, all employees of the Voter Registration/Elections Office are
prohibited from engaging in any organized political activity or in
any political contributions. This includes, but is not limited to,
running for any political office, participation in any election campaign
and/or political function, membership in any political club, association
or society and signing or circulating petitions for individuals running
for political office.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Include items designed to advocate the election or defeat
of a candidate or referendum as well as for the retention or lack
of retention of a sitting judge or magisterial district judge.
York County Judicial Center, York County Government Center,
Pleasant Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Youth Development
Center, York County Administrative Center as well as other properties
owned or leased by the County that are facilities constructed and/or
rented by the County for the conduct of County business and for the
purposes of serving the taxpayers of York County.
Any monies, equipment, supplies, materials, real or leased
property or resources, time or labor that are provided and/or paid
for through the budget of the County of York.
Any action that furthers a political party, political campaign
or a person who is running for political office.
Any action which furthers the efforts of a person running
for a political office.
Giving anything of value, including, but not limited to,
money, time, materials, to a political party, political campaign or
person running for political office.
A.
Employees of the County of York may exercise the rights
and responsibilities of citizenship, including, but not limited to:
A.
Employees are prohibited from participating in political
campaign activities in County facilities during County business hours.
This includes but is not limited to:
B.
Employees are prohibited from using County equipment,
materials, real or leased property or resources for personal gain,
to develop, prepare, produce, copy, distribute or deliver campaign
or political party materials. This includes but is not limited to
the use of:
C.
County facilities may not be used for political campaign
or party meetings, or for the distribution or delivery of campaign
literature or political party materials.
D.
Employees are prohibited from directly or indirectly
coercing, attempting to coerce, or compelling another employee to
contribute or pay anything of value to a political party, committee,
organization, agency or person for a political purpose.
E.
Employees are prohibited from directly or indirectly
promising or threatening a change in another employee's work or working
conditions as consideration for campaign activities, support or contributions.
A.
B.
The Department of Human Resources will assist County
employees with information regarding the federal, state and local
laws, regulations, statutes and rules which affect their status as
County governmental employees who desire to run for elective office.
C.
It is the responsibility of the employee to notify
the Executive Director — Human Resources of his/her candidacy
for an elective office in a partisan election.
D.
A County employee who is governed by the Hatch Act,
Pennsylvania Civil Service Act, or other rules and regulations, and
wishes to run for election in a partisan election, must resign his/her
position in York County government immediately upon the announcement
of his/her candidacy or the filing of nomination petitions, whichever
occurs first.
A.
It is the responsibility of any employee who observes
any form of restricted or prohibited activity to report such conduct
to his/her supervisor, Director, Executive Director or elected official.
B.
It is the responsibility of any employee who believes
that he/she has been directly or indirectly coerced or compelled to
participate in political activities to report such conduct to his/her
supervisor, Director, Executive Director or elected official.
C.
Employees may also report the restricted or prohibited
activity directly to the Executive Director - Human Resources.
D.
There will be no retaliation of any kind for a report
of prohibited activity.
A.
The State Ethics Commission is responsible for enforcing
the Public Official and Employee Act (Act 93 of 1998).
B.
Conduct by elected public officials that does not
comply with the Act should be reported to the Commission.
C.
The Act, in part, restricts public officials from:
(1)
Engaging in conduct that constitutes a conflict of
interest, including a public official's use of his/her office or county
employees or County monies for private financial benefit;
(2)
Seeking or accepting improper influence, honorariums,
contingent and severance payments;
(3)
Entering into a contract with the governmental body
with which the official is associated.
D.
A complete list of restrictions and definitions is
located at 65 Pa. C.S.A. § 1103.
