Creating and Maintaining a Fair Internet Policy
A sound company Internet policy starts with a disclaimer that warns employees against the potential dangers of the Internet and protects the company from liability for any material viewed or downloaded. The company Internet policy should also contain the following features:
- A summary of network use limitations. This portion of the Internet policy clearly outlines appropriate and inappropriate uses of company computer network resources.
- An agreement not to waste or damage computer resources. This should include details on accessing the Internet through firewalls, avoiding frivolous use, and notifying the administrator if an employee suspects a virus.
- A “no expectation of privacy” statement. This waives employees’ privacy rights over any materials they send or create in cyberspace using your company’s computer network.
Notify All Employees of the Internet Policy
Inform all employees of the new Internet policy through an initial memo, and then hold training sessions for all staffers who have online access. Incorporate information on the Internet policy in employee manuals and new-hire orientation programs.
Update the Internet policy as technology and content change, and directly inform employees of all changes as they occur. For example, when new Internet technologies such as MP3 music files and streaming video downloads emerge, your company needs to decide what its policy will be toward employee use of the new electronic applications.
Internet Policy Enforcement
Your company can help keep Internet policy violations to a minimum by using filtering software, which blocks employee access to particular websites that the company deems inappropriate for the workplace. Filtering software will still allow employees to access the websites they need in order to carry out their work.