Computer use, email, Internet and communications policy

There are few businesses that do not use any IT in some regard. Its use requires careful and precise control in regards to employment law. It is often difficult to decide exactly what level of control you require. This document is drawn as much to prompt your decisions as to provide a model version. It includes many options for you to choose the level you need.

Be sure to incorporate this policy into employment contracts by reference (as in the Net Lawman contract documents). Your employees are then bound by the terms of the policy. If you change the terms, it is important to make them clear so that staff know exactly where they stand.

Why use this document?

• Misuse of employer’s computers is now the number one reason for dismissal. It also wastes time on a day-to-day basis. This constitutes a gigantic waste of resources in lost management time spent in re-advertising and arranging temporary substitution.

• Tribunal cases are frequently lost in circumstances where common sense dictates that natural justice favoured the employer. Invariably, a feature of the employee’s case was the employer’s failure to say what was and what was not permitted.