Employee Email and Internet Use – what you must know
As part of normal business practice today employers are increasingly dependent on employee’s performing their duties by using email and internet technology.
Recent studies have demonstrated that abuse of these systems is rife in the workplace. In one investigation Biz Momentum discovered that one employee had visited over 500 different porn sites in a 6 months period. Employers have an obligation to inform, train and ensure that employees understand their responsibilities and rights in using the employers email and internet systems.
This extends to informing employees if they can use these systems for personal use and to what extent that use is permitted e.g. limited private use during a lunch break.
Failing to have a comprehensive policy and procedure on email and internet use will limit your disciplinary options against your employees. In one instance where several employees had their employment terminated because of email misuse they were subsequently reinstated by the industrial commission because the employer failed to demonstrate that the employees were informed.
For further information and assistance in obtaining a comprehensive email and internet policy call us on 61 7 3349 5662 or email at INFO ( AT ) BIZ-MOMENTUM dot COM
Biz Momentum provides these services Australia wide.