SSA instituted a policy in 1999 that gave employees Limited Personal Use of Government Office Equipment Including Information Technology. The SSA policy can be found on SSA Official Intranet Website: http://eis.ba.ssa.gov/eis/dcpea/lpugoe.htm under “Use of Government Equipment”.

SSA Policy provides for personal use of government office equipment including information technology. This policy established new privileges and additional responsibilities for employees. It recognizes employees as responsible individuals who are the key to making government more responsive to its citizens. It allows employees to use Government office equipment for non-government purposes when such use:

• Involves minimal additional expense to the government;
• Is performed on the employees non work time;
• Does not interfere with the mission or operations of SSA; and
• Does not violate the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive branch.

This means that you can use your computer for personal use before or after your workday (provided your office is open), lunch periods, breaks, or weekends or holidays (if their duty station is available at such times). This is always your nonwork time.

So the next time you need to write a rebuttal to your interview or check your train schedule let your manager know you are using your computer under SSA policy guidelines. Don’t forget that there is no expectation of privacy and there are limits to your personal use on a SSA computer.