Computer and Internet Usage Policies

Benefits for employers

The internet is now an important tool at work, but it can also be a constant source of distraction that reduces productivity. Whether it’s social media sites, online gaming or internet shopping, there are many ways we can be distracted for hours online. Mark Zuckerberg actually said Facebook was a place to go and waste time.

Selecting particular times when employees can use the internet for personal reasons or limits on the duration of time spent browsing can help to increase productivity. Allowing internet access during lunch breaks and after usual working, times can allow employees to use your work facilities offer an added perk to their employment.

The same goes for using their computer for personal tasks. If your employees are sending personal emails from their work account, writing personal communication or storing pictures on their computers, they are making you liable for their content if it is found to be inappropriate. Making clear what is and isn’t acceptable can save you difficult questions down the line.

Pornography and websites related to illegal activity should almost always be banned from the workplace unless there is a specific reason, such as legitimate research, why they should be accessed. Even though it may seem obvious, it is always safer to state this clearly rather than leaving anything to chance.

As well as the benefits for productivity, there are also legal and governance benefits for being clear with your employees about acceptable computer use at work. As an employer, you are responsible for the traffic that goes through your networks and as such you want to make sure that your employees are not bringing anything unsafe or legal into your workplace. Often, illicit websites are associated with high rate of computer viruses. Accessing or storing anything that could be considered illegal may also place your organisation under unwanted scrutiny.

Benefits for employees

Employees tend to perform better when they know exactly what is expected of them. In organisations where there is less clarity, there is the chance that employees won’t be as productive. If an employee is clear on when they should be working, in what way, and what is acceptable, it allows them to plan their working day and put aside time for personal activities that are appropriate to be done in the workplace.

Sometimes, individuals are unaware that what they are doing is inappropriate or even illegal. A clear and well-researched policy on appropriate computer use in the workplace can help inform and educate staff members as well as keep the organisation out of trouble.

An organisation where employees are clear on expectations and boundaries also tends to have higher levels of motivation. Employees generally want to be enthused by their jobs and it is easier to do this when roles and limits are explained. If you feel that an employee it is using their work computer in a way that is inappropriate, if they hadn’t been informed what constitutes inappropriate use they may feel unfairly victimised. This could lead to a breakdown of relationships in work, which almost always have a detrimental effect on employee well-being in the whole team.

Conclusion

It is beneficial for both employees and employers to be clear on what constitutes acceptable computer use. This can boost productivity, morale and make sure that neither the company or the individual employee is falling foul of the law.

Putting an internet usage policy in place is not expensive and could save many difficulties in the future. If you’d like to know more please call Alistair Booth on 01383 668178 or drop him an email at info@thehrbooth.co.uk

How to Create a Sickness Absence Policy

A well-defined sickness absence policy is essential for any business. It ensures consistency in managing employee absences, provides clarity for employees, and helps minimise disruption to operations. Dealing with absences correctly and in an appropriate time-scale...

Adverse Weather: Bracing the Storm in the Workplace

The Met Office warned yesterday that adverse weather, Storm Eowyn is on its way and will be bringing hurricane force winds of up to 100mph along with it. Red and Amber warnings have been issued and the public have been advised to stay indoors. They have also been...

Holidays in the Workplace – eBook

Holidays in the Workplace are an important employee right but they can create issues at times. Yes, it may only be February, but we're all looking ahead to our Summer holidays... right? With holidays comes time off work, and this can sometimes create complications for...

8 Employee Handbook Template Tips

Your employee handbook template is more than a resource employees will leave on their desks for years to come. It’s more than a recitation of basic staff rights and responsibilities too. In fact, it’s also a way to set forth your policies and expectations. Most...

What Should I Include In An Employee Handbook?

It's the Summer Holidays and that time of year when a lot of your staff are taking time off. This can be a quiet time of the year due to this. In addition, it's important that you encourage productivity and continue to work on your business despite this. You can use...

GDPR Compliance | The HR Booth GDPR Pack

Download the e-book GDPR, officially known as the General Data Protection Regulation, represents a landmark legislation enacted by the European Union (EU) to address the evolving landscape of data protection and privacy in the digital age. It serves as a comprehensive...