Sensitive Property
All
JLab employees are responsible for the use, reasonable care,
maintenance and disposal of Lab property assigned to them exclusively for
performing official duties. Laptops, cell phones, PDA’s and digital
cameras are considered sensitive government property because this type of
equipment is portable and prone to easy theft. Employees who are the
custodians of this type of equipment are responsible for exercising a higher
degree of care in protecting it at all times. Laptops that are part of a
larger system have unique vulnerabilities, are especially prone to loss and
theft, and must be similarly protected at all times.
Employees
are subject to the JLab’s disciplinary process if sensitive property is
lost or stolen as a result of negligence. Employees will be considered
negligent in protecting sensitive property assigned to them if it is lost or
stolen due to carelessness, inattention, disregard for reasonable care or
failing to immediately report the loss. Examples of negligence include
but are not limited to the following:
Leaving a laptop in a vehicle over night (and not in the
trunk);
Leaving a laptop unattended and not secured by a cable lock
in an area accessible by the public,
Leaving a camera unattended in a public conference room,
Leaving a laptop unattended in an airport waiting area,
Checking a laptop as stowed baggage at the airport,
Using another JLab employee’s sensitive
equipment without their permission on site or without a property pass if off
site and it is stolen.
Employees
can also be negligent by failing to immediately report theft of a laptop
computer to local police while on travel. In the event sensitive property
is lost or stolen due to negligence, employees will be subject to disciplinary
action up to and including termination.
Employees
are to read and acknowledge receipt of this policy change by January 11, 2008.
If an acknowledgement receipt is not received by this date authority to acquire
and use DOE sensitive government property will be restricted including but not
limited to loss of custodianship or use of DOE laptops, cell phones, PDAs, and cameras.
The above change will be incorporated into the Property Policies
and Procedures when next updated.