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STATES OF JERSEY
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ELECTED MEMBERS: USE OF THE STATES E-MAIL SYSTEM
Presented to the States on 15th July 2013 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee
STATES GREFFE
2013 Price code: A R.83
2 REPORT
The Committee has recently completed an investigation into a complaint that a States Member had allegedly misused the States of Jersey e-mail system by sending to a large number of public sector employees during the normal working day an e-mail, the purpose of which was deemed to be to lobby public service workers for political support.
The Committee found that the States Member in question had breached the acceptable use policy that all Members are required to sign prior to being granted access to the system and, in so doing, had breached paragraph 5 of the Code of Conduct for Elected Members. In reaching its decision, the Committee did not consider or reach any conclusions regarding the detailed content of the e-mail, which included an appended press release. The Committee was satisfied that the breach would not have occurred had the Member elected to circulate their press release by other appropriate means.
Having upheld the complaint, the Committee elected to conclude the matter by way of an advisory letter to the Member concerned. It further concluded that all Members might benefit from being reminded that the sending of e-mails to large numbers of system users without a valid business reason and without the prior permission of the Information Services will normally be classified as an unacceptable use. Members are reminded that their status will inevitably tend to make public sector recipients prioritise their consideration of such e-mails, to the detriment of recipients' normal working duties.
In closing, the Committee wishes to remind members that, should such an action be repeated by any member of the States, it may lead to the withdrawal of States' e-mail facilities for the member responsible.
R.83/2013