A state employee may not use state resources for personal benefit or to benefit another person (e.g., conducting personal business at work with state resources). “State resources” include any state property (e.g., computers, office space, copier, fax, phones), vehicles, money, work time, other state personnel during work, etc.
In very limited circumstances, state resources may be used if:
1. there is little or no cost to the state;
2. use is brief or infrequent (e.g., 5-10 minutes occasionally or every once in a while);
3. the use does not interfere with the employee’s official duties;
4. the use does not disrupt other state employees;
5. the use does not compromise the security of state property, information or software.
Examples of acceptable de minimis use would be a brief local call to make an appointment or an e-mail recognizing someone’s birthday. There is no de minimis exception to the use of state resources for activities related to a personal business or if the use violates other CPTC policies.
