HR 4.06 CITY OF PORTLAND HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATIVE RULES: EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR & EXPECTATIONS 4.06 POLITICAL ACTIVITY

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to the City of Portland's Human Resources Administrative Rules regarding political activity.

Political Activity

An activity directed toward supporting or opposing federal, state, or local measures, candidates, recalls, political committees, or petitions.

Official Authority

The power that non-elected City employees must not use while engaged in political activity.

ORS 260.432

A state law that prohibits public employees from soliciting money or promoting political activities while on the job.

Personal Political Views

The right of City employees to express their political opinions as private citizens while on the job, provided it does not interfere with their duties.

Campaigning Funds

Prohibited solicitation of funds for political campaigns during working hours or while acting in an official capacity.

Neutral Information

Objective data about ballot measures that City employees may prepare and provide, contingent upon legal review.

Posters and Notices

Materials that City employees are prohibited from distributing or displaying on City property to promote or oppose candidates.

Political Buttons

Expressions of personal opinion that public employees are allowed to wear, provided they are viewed as personal rather than official.

Campaign Literature

Materials promoting or opposing candidates or measures that City employees are prohibited from distributing during working hours.

Elected Officials

Individuals who can engage in political activities any time but must comply with City rules and cannot coerce employees into political activity.

City Resources

The equipment and materials that City employees are not allowed to use for political activities, including mail and telephones.

City Attorney’s Office

The department to which political campaign materials should be submitted for legal review before dissemination.

Working Hours

The time when it is generally prohibited for City employees to engage in political activities related to campaigning or soliciting.

Political Party Committees

Groups that elected officials cannot serve on or under during their terms in office, per City Charter regulations.

Report Violations

The expectation that employees report any suspected violations of political activity laws or rules to designated authorities.

Ombudsman

An official who employees can contact regarding violations of HR rules related to political activities.

City Charter Section 2-610

Regulation that allows elected officials to engage in political activities but with specific compliance requirements.

Hatch Act

Federal law that regulates the political activities of federal employees and staff in federally aided programs.

Discretion

Caution advised for employees wearing personal political expressions to avoid their identification as official viewpoints.

Campaign Donations

Monetary contributions solicited by candidates or political committees that can involve legal restrictions during working hours.

Elected Official Restrictions

Legal limitations placed on elected officials regarding their interaction with City employees concerning political activities.

Public Interest

The notion guiding the permissible activities of elected officials in publishing reports funded by City resources.

Ballot Measures

Propositions that can be promoted or opposed by City employees only under specific legal conditions.

City Officer Responsibilities

Duties of employees that engage in lawful promotion of political activities without risking violation of HR rules.

Employee Role

The capacity in which non-elected employees must announce their status while engaged in political activities.