BYOD: bring your own device

Does your municipality allow employees to use their own electronic devices for work tasks? If so, do you have a policy addressing the use of personal electronic devices in the workplace or for conducting work away from the office? While allowing employees to use their personal laptops, tablets, smart phones and other devices can benefit both the employee and the employer, it also poses additional risks to the employer regarding, among other things, security of confidential information and may increase overtime expenses or increase the risk of wage and hour claims. If your municipality allows employees to use personal electronic devices at the office or home for work tasks, you need a policy to address the risks. Conversely, if your municipality does not allow the use of personal devices, then you may need to adopt a written policy making this prohibition clear.