Eight Steps To Effective Employee Internet, E-mail and Software Policies
For-profit businesses and not-for-profit entities can insulate themselves
from many workplace claims by developing and implementing comprehensive,
written, e-mail, Internet and software usage policies.
As an employer, you should inform your employees of the organization's
privacy and monitoring policies.
Employers can control risks by controlling content. Incorporate
cyberlanguage and netiquette guidelines into your written e-policies.
Educate employees about copyright infringement. Protect yourself by
making it clear to employees that they are forbidden from downloading,
uploading or using text, photographs, music, art or other copyrighted
material without permission from the copyright holder.
Use your written e-policies to drive home the point that trade secrets
and other company-owned information are not to be shared with unauthorized
people.
Notify employees of the organization's expected standards of electronic
behavior, and enforce policies consistently.
Require employees to sign and date copies of all e-policies to
demonstrate their understanding of the policies and their acknowledgement
that they accept personal responsibility for adhering to the policies.
After you have drafted your e-mail, Internet, and software policies, have
your legal counsel review them for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to
federal and state laws and regulations.
-- From "The ePolicy Handbook" by Nancy Flynn. Available from the SOCAP
Bookstore.
