GENERAL WORK RULES
Behavior on the Job

Courtesy

At the university, one of the most important parts of the job is to be courteous at all times to all persons with whom you deal, whether face-to-face contact, by telephone, or letter. Proper behavior includes promptness, efficiency, and impartial treatment of the public and fellow employees. It also includes recognition of lines of authority and a friendly attitude towards co-workers.
[return to top]

Appearance

As an employee of Southern Polytechnic, you are expected to dress in a suitable attire because you will probably meet the public in connection with your duties. You will also meet people on off-duty hours who know you are employed at the university. Remember, your actions can affect the university.
[return to top]

Social Life

Plan your social events and talk about your after-hours activities at times other than working hours. Remember your co-workers have their work to do and so do you. Personal telephone calls should be held to a minimum. You should not burden official lines of communications with personal calls.
[return to top]

Confidential Information

In the performance of their duties, some employees must deal with confidential information. Such information should not be discussed or made available to anyone until it has been approved for release by proper authority. Certain university records are strictly confidential.
[return to top]

Economy

Employees of Southern Polytechnic have a responsibility to hold down costs of operation. Property of the university should be given the same care as one’s personal property. Supplies should not be wasted simply because they may appear to be plentiful. Office machines last longer and perform better if given proper care and kept covered when not in use. Employees are not permitted to use university supplies and equipment for personal reasons.
[return to top]

Disruptive Behavior

While supporting freedom of expression and peaceful dissent, the university, in the interests of orderly operation and the preservation of an environment favorable to productive study, has adopted a policy prohibiting disruptive behavior on the part of any student, faculty member, administrator or employee.
[return to top]

Purchase of Goods and Services
Use of College Property

Employees of Southern Polytechnic are not allowed to purchase goods or services for personal use through college channels, nor shall any employee permit any college property to be removed from the campus for private use.
[return to top]

Gifts and Gratuities

No official or employee of Southern Polytechnic may accept gratuities, courtesies or gifts in any form whatsoever from any person or persons, corporations or associations that, directly or indirectly, may seek to use the connection or consideration on any commercial commodity, process or undertaking.
[return to top]

Use of Telephone

Prompt and courteous answer to telephone calls are very important. Telephone manners make or lose friends on or off our campus.

Southern Polytechnic State University telephone lines must be kept clear for business use. Incoming personal telephone calls to employees and outgoing personal calls by employees are discouraged except in cases of an emergency. Personal long distance telephone calls will not be charged to the institution.

GIST Network, the GIST lines will be used for official business only. Official long distance calls will be placed on the GIST Network. Use of this Network for personal calls would constitute misuse of state funds.
[return to top]

Garnishments

Southern Polytechnic considers the acceptance and settlement of just and honest debts to be a mark of personal responsibility. Upon receipt of a garnishment subpoena, the named employee is notified of the amount to be deducted and name of the court where the money will be sent. Failure to meet your personal financial obligations causes discredit to the university. Repeated instances of default in payment by the employee shall be considered sufficient grounds to terminate for cause.
[return to top]

Withholding of Pay

SPSU, or units of the university are authorized to withhold pay checks or deduct from pay checks amounts owed by employees of the institution for any fine, fee, penalty or other financial obligation(s) to the university.
[return to top]

Political Activities

As an individual, each employee of Southern Polytechnic retains all rights and obligations of citizenship provided in the Constitution and Laws of the United States. However, no employee of Southern Polytechnic shall hold or be a candidate for public or political elective office at the State or Federal level while in the employ of Southern Polytechnic, or take an active part in a political campaign while on duty to perform services for which he or she receives compensation from Southern Polytechnic.

Employees seeking elective political office at the state or federal level must first request a leave of absence without pay beginning prior to qualification as candidate. If elected to state or federal office, the employee must resign prior to assuming office.
[return to top]

Conflicts of Interest

An employee of Southern Polytechnic should avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest between his or her obligations and outside activities.
[return to top]