Dictionary-of-Human-Resources-Management

Email & Internet Usage Policy Template
1. Appropriate use:
Computer resources belong to the Company and have been supplied for business
use. Limited personal use of the email facility and Internet access is, however,
permitted provided that it does not interfere with work performance, that staff
remember that in all their own correspondence they are representing the
Company, and that Company funds are not misused.
2. Downloading Internet files:
Staff are advised that accessing or downloading material from Internet sites
containing unsuitable content, i.e. pornography or material that may cause offence
to others, is a serious breach of Internet policy and is likely to result in
disciplinary action, including summary dismissal.
No member of staff apart from the IT Manager is permitted to download or
distribute copyright information and/or software, including programme files (i.e.
those with an .exe extension). Staff must contact the IT Manager to download text
files that are not on the list of Internet sites recognised by the Company.
3. Employee privacy:
Employees cannot expect any email messages composed, received or sent on the
Company network, regardless of the use of personal email passwords, to be for
private viewing only. It may be necessary for the Company to monitor and view
email correspondence and the Company reserves the right to do so.
Employees similarly cannot expect any history of websites accessed via the
Company network, regardless of the use of personal passwords, to be for private
use only.
4. Complaints:
Employees who feel they have cause for complaint as a result of email
communication or Internet use should raise the matter initially with their
immediate manager and/or the IT manager.