Internet and IT misuse - Discipline at work

There have recently been a number of high profile cases of misuse of company email or internet systems. In some cases pornographic email attachments have been circulated, in others staff have been caught logging onto pornographic email sites. In addition to that company computer networks have been damaged by the download of computer viruses and confidential information

This is a fashionable area for the press to focus on. Employers need to beware of over-reacting, employment tribunals may well take the view that they can't see any difference between reading a book at work and surfing on the internet. Its hardly surprising then that if the employer gives employees access to pornography some will want to explore it. If employees have free time to to waste on the internet why are they still employed and who is supervising them? Far more important is the need to prevent employees using email to harass others with unwanted pornographic material.

Employers are free to set whatever standards they want but rather than relying on general disciplinary terms to which Employment Tribunals may take a different view there should be express terms in the employment contract dealing with these issues. In addition it is sensible to issue all staff with an IT security code of practice.