Law on internet and email at work

Shure · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:25

Do anyone know the in's and out of internet and email usage in the workplace? I'm not asking for any particular reason, just curious :confused:

Google's turned up a couple of results but nothing official...

Mr.Orb · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:27

I doubt there is a law, just company policy.

neocon · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:28

no

but i tried accessing yahoo at work and got page in bright red displaying "this computer is for business...blah blah." i quickly closed the page encase any colleagues saw.

shifty_uk · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:28

Mr.Orb said:
I doubt there is a law, just company policy.

Correct.

Your company should have an email etiquette policy, which can vary between companies.

shifty_uk · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:29

http://careerplanning.about.com/od/communication/a/email_etiquette.htm

Any good?

knip · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:32

I work in a school and the Bristol City council filter wont let me on certain sites, I cant access this one at school for example, because its a forum and is therefore banned.
Annoying sometimes, but its IP banned so theres very little I can do.

Spuds · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:38

Your company will have a computer useage policy somewhere, try the HR department. As far as I'm aware the only law on the area is that a breach of that policy can be taken as gross misconduct

helpimcrap · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:49

yeah its company based... it even varies in the company too. ie basic clerical staff have no immediate net access whereas HR or admin might have access to a bit more.

Shure · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:50

I'm fully aware of our company policy as I work in IT. But I was wondering if there were any official lines on it as far as the law is concerned, human rights etc but I guess the company policy overides those

Kreeeee · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:58

knip said:
I work in a school and the Bristol City council filter wont let me on certain sites, I cant access this one at school for example, because its a forum and is therefore banned.
Annoying sometimes, but its IP banned so theres very little I can do.

Proxy

knip · 8 Jun 2007 at 20:59

Kreeeee said:
Proxy

And how do I get me a proxy server without them getting onto me?

steviec · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:00

There are laws as well for the obvious:

Terrorism
Kiddie Porn

sure there are more, our company policy is pretty precise and also states anything illegal according to law of the local country.

semi-pro waster · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:00

I haven't looked into the area but as far as I am aware there isn't a relevant law per se because access to the internet isn't necessary either for work (in most jobs beyond email and possibly a couple of websites) or relaxation during break time etc although as steviec says there are of course laws on what is and is not legal on the internet generally. This therefore makes access to the internet a privilege not a right so human rights wouldn't enter into the equation. Not having full internet access can be annoying but in most cases you being able to access site X will not benefit the company so there is little reason for them to allow it in business terms.

Shure · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:08

How would it work if I mark emails private and confidential yet the exchange administrator reads them?

vanandjuanunited · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:10

chrisstevens said:
How would it work if I mark emails private and confidential yet the exchange administrator reads them?

Using works equipment means they can be read by admin if they see fit. If its private/confidential it shouldnt be sent through work email.

Shure · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:11

williamw11 said:
Using works equipment means they can be read by admin if they see fit. If its private/confidential it shouldnt be sent through work email.

Ok so if the company policy allows a SMALL amount of personal usage? I understand they should be able to check quantities but why content?

vanandjuanunited · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:12

chrisstevens said:
Ok so if the company policy allows a SMALL amount of personal usage? I understand they should be able to check quantities but why content?

Think you just covered it. CONTENT. If you are sending inappropriate stuff then they will want to know. They cant check without looking.

JIM_BOB7813 · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:15

chrisstevens said:
Ok so if the company policy allows a SMALL amount of personal usage? I understand they should be able to check quantities but why content?

They are allowed to check what you are doing, you may have signed something to say that they can monitor you.
If you signed some company computer policy, go read through it.

Google for RIPA
and Lawful business practice IIRC

Shure · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:17

williamw11 said:
Think you just covered it. CONTENT. If you are sending inappropriate stuff then they will want to know. They cant check without looking.

But wouldn't most companies have software to do that for them? If its highlighted then fair enough I'd expect the administrator to investigate but not in the scenario where if someone has sent too many emails for them to start trailing through them. but then I suppose then need to check whats work and whats personal?

Its just a grey area to me....

vanandjuanunited · 8 Jun 2007 at 21:19

chrisstevens said:
But wouldn't most companies have software to do that for them? If its highlighted then fair enough I'd expect the administrator to investigate but not in the scenario where if someone has sent too many emails for them to start trailing through them. but then I suppose then need to check whats work and whats personal?

Its just a grey area to me....

Software checks for key words. It will also be to prevent viruses and inappropriate/offensive emails being sent/received. They face action if they dont stop it as well as the sender.