Personal and Company-Provided Portable Communication Devices

Southwest Care Center-provided portable communication devices (PCDs), including cell phones and personal digital assistants, should be used primarily for business purposes. Team members have no reasonable expectation of privacy in regard to the use of such devices, and all use is subject to monitoring, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. This includes, as permitted, the right to monitor personal communications as necessary.

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Some team members may be authorized to use their own PCD for business purposes. These team members should work with the IT department to configure their PCD for business use. Communications sent via a personal PCD also may subject to monitoring if sent through the Organization's networks, and the PCD must be provided for inspection and review upon request.

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All conversations, text messages, and e-mails must be professional. When sending a text message or using a PCD for business  purposes, whether it is a Organization-provided or personal device, team members must comply with applicable Organization guidelines, including policies on sexual harassment, discrimination, conduct, confidentiality, equipment use, and operation of vehicles. Using a Organization-issued PCD to send or receive personal text messages is prohibited at all times and personal use during working hours should be limited to emergency situations.

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If team members who use a personal PCD for business resign or are discharged, they will be required to submit the device to the IT department for resetting on or before their last day of work. At that time, the IT department will reset and remove all information from the device, including but not limited to, Organization information and  personal data (such as contacts, e-mails, and photographs). The IT department will make efforts to provide team members with the personal data in another form (e.g., on a disk) to the extent practicable; however, the team member may lose some or all personal data saved on the device.

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Team members may not use their personal PCD for business unless they agree to submit the device to the IT department on or before their last day of work for resetting and removal of Organization information. This is the only way currently possible to ensure that all Organization information is removed from the device at the time of termination. The removal of Organization information is crucial to ensure compliance with the Organization's confidentiality and proprietary information policies and objectives.

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Please note that whether team members use their personal PCD or a Organization-issued device, the Organization's electronic communications policies, including but not limited to, proper use of communications and computer systems, remain in effect.

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Portable Communication Device Use While Driving

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Team members who drive on Organization business must abide by all state or local laws prohibiting or limiting PCD (cell phone or personal digital assistant) use while driving. Further, even if usage is permitted, team members may choose to refrain from using any PCD while driving. "Use" includes, but is not limited to, talking or listening to another person or sending an electronic or text message via the PCD.

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Regardless of the circumstances, including slow or stopped traffic, if any use is permitted while driving, team members should proceed to a safe location off the road and safely stop the vehicle before placing  or  accepting  a  call.  If  acceptance  of  a  call  is  absolutely  necessary  while  driving,  and permitted by law, team members must use a hands-free option and advise the caller that they are unable to speak at that time and will return the call shortly.

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Under no circumstances should team members feel that they need to place themselves at risk to fulfill business needs.

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Since this policy does not require any team member to use a cell phone while driving, team members who are charged with traffic violations resulting from the use of their PCDs while driving will be solely responsible for all liabilities that result from such actions.

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Texting and e-mailing while driving are prohibited in all circumstances.