Introduction
It is widely recognised that Email and the Internet is here to stay! Both mediums have become a vital part of business and personal communication in a world that increasingly relies on technology. We understand its benefits and sometimes berate its downsides; too much email, lack of personal communication, spam, the risk of employees accessing inappropriate material and using employer resources for personal gain.
This gain in technology has not come without cost as increasingly employers and employees are being bought to task over breaches of copyright, confidentiality, privacy, discrimination and harassment and in some instances criminal offences (pornography, obscene and threatening material).
This fact sheet examines ways of measures you can take to greatly reduce and protect your business from legal and other risks.
Recently Monash University reported that email abuse had significantly increased as employees seek to avoid personal confrontation by sending abusive e-mails to those they had targeted or are angry with instead of speaking to them face to face.
This type of behaviour places employers at risk of claims of workplace harassment and discrimination and it is important that you take measures to ensure that this type of activity is clearly communicated as unacceptable to your employees.
By way of example, Biz Momentum undertook a sexual harassment investigation for an employer after an employee complained of sexual harassment by a work colleague. Biz Momentum found that the work colleague had unlawfully accessed 500 different pornographic web-sites over a period of 6 months and at the expense of the employer. The employer took appropriate action.
What should I include in my electronic mail & Internet policy
Biz Momentum recommends that you implement E-mail and Internet policies that includes the following key elements
1. Computer Policies and Procedures
2. E-mail and Internet for Business & Private Use
3. Audit
1. Policies and Procedures
Ensure that you have comprehensive computer policies and procedures relating to defined boundaries that protect you from legal risk for using your E-mail and Internet facilities.
Communicate these policies and procedures to your employees and new starts ? ensure that they sign off on these policies. This cannot be understated in the event of a dispute and is best practice management in protecting your business interests.
2. Email for Business & Private Use
a. Be upfront ? use of E-mail and the Internet is primarily for business use. If you allow reasonable private use, specify when (lunchbreak) and the type of mail employees may compose (electronic banking, child-care arrangements etc)
b. Be specific on what an employee may not access or use E-mail or the Internet for (breach of copyright, spam, masquerading, personal business gain, acts that incite hatred, discrimination to name a few).
3. Audit
Your policies and procedures should inform employees that you conduct regular computer audits in line with the law. This is not an invasive procedure but is designed to protect your business.
No matter what the size of your business, wether you have stand-alone computers or you are networked ensure that your computer logs are audited on a frequent basis.
However a word of caution! Be careful! There are various laws (Privacy Act) that define what you may or may not do when viewing computer logs and this can include not opening and reading employee E-mail or Internet sites. However by viewing the computer logs you can gain a reasonable understanding from where the traffic is directed. In most cases it is obvious if a breach of your policies and procedures has occurred.
You may find other useful small business guides at Biz Momentum (www.biz-momentum.com). You need to treat this information sensitively and take further advice from your practitioner before taking further action.
Ensure you business is protected.
Philip Lye is Managing Director of Biz Momentum providing professional services in employee relations (HR / IR Matters), training your people to work with you and not against you', 'coaching you' to be a better executive and review of commercial documentation, leases and agreements.
Phil holds qualifications in Accounting, Leadership, Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations and is a qualified accountant.
Phil started his working career as the 'postage clerk' in banking and finance rising through various business opportunities to CEO and CFO of two companies before leaving to start his own business in 2002.
For further information
Web: http://www.biz-momentum.com
maid service near Lake Forest ..You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of... Read More
All legitimate home business entrepreneurs insist and announce loud and... Read More
Many government department heads are on the take. Oh they'll... Read More
Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry... Read More
The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More
First you have to start with knowing your budget and... Read More
Many have not experienced a fire up close. One year... Read More
So what exactly is a "Small Business Lone Ranger?" A... Read More
Some of the very qualities that attract people to the... Read More
Small Business, Big Business ? What's the Diff?Well a lot... Read More
If you are a motorcycle detailer and need to expand... Read More
If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized... Read More
There is a continual trend we are seeing which I... Read More
You know what makes me really happy? Drinking a Starbucks... Read More
How do window cleaning franchise businesses start? It is a... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
If you own a small business, then you know the... Read More
What will your business look like a year from today?If... Read More
As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing... Read More
The current lack of industry leaders represents an exceptional opportunity... Read More
To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More
Office support services can range from basic data entry to... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
Canon City, Colorado is known for it's 6 Prisons; State... Read More
Franchising is the fastest way to build small businesses, provide... Read More
Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More
Many job applicants want a job but often do not... Read More
When the recent Games of the XXVIII Olympiad came to... Read More
If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More
Discover How Specialized Cost Containment Creates A New Win-Win Position... Read More
In the summer, I can't drive two blocks without seeing... Read More
Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More
Here is an interesting case study of a company, which... Read More
1. Look Over Your Shoulder ? Of course, Punxsutawney Phil... Read More
While there are few career paths that some would call... Read More
CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR INTERN: Specify the number of hours the... Read More
All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More
How do you sponsor an event and get personal introductions... Read More
The home-based business market, sometimes called the SOHO (small-office/home-office) market,... Read More
Just as you are about to say "good-bye" to your... Read More
Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More
Security Professionals provide the products and services necessary to create... Read More
The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More
How is your pipeline structured?I assume most of you have... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Does your small business have a banking and credit card... Read More
One of the hidden perks of raising six children is... Read More
Small Business |