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Guidelines for Corporate Internet Access
Policies
Internet Policy Examples to Keep Employees
Out of Trouble
A starting
point for planning guidelines for corporate Internet access policies
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By Joshua Feinberg
[First in a two-part
series]
In last issue's "How To" Tips, Top
10 Ways to Get Better Small Business Computer Tech Support, we
looked at how to reduce your frustration level by becoming a more
effective consumer of small business computer technical support
resources.
Now, we turn our attention to an issue that may already
be plaguing your small business: how to give your small business staff
unrestricted access to the Internet, without compromising
productivity, destroying employee morale, or getting your company into a
mountain of legal troubles -- in other words, how to develop guidelines
for corporate Internet access policies.
In this first in a two-part series, we'll give you an
overview Internet policy examples and what to plan for as you develop a company-wide Internet access
policy.
Then, in the next installment
of "How To" Tips, we'll provide Internet policy examples and detail the topics you'll need to
address in drafting your company's written policy document
1. Set the goals of and guidelines for corporate Internet
access policies at the outset.
These might include keeping the document to one page
and making the statement as tech and legal jargon-free as possible.
Other important considerations are whether you want
to just spell out what's unacceptable and inappropriate,
or whether you want to list examples of what is acceptable
and appropriate.
2. Survey existing usage of Internet access
resources.
Start asking around to find out what your small
business staff is doing with e-mail, web browsing and newsgroups.
Before you can propose Internet policy examples for departments to adopt,
ascertain how tools are used today.
While this needn't be an exhaustive or scientific
"study", you may want to keep a basic journal or list of
your findings for future reference.
3. Get input from key parties.
This should include, at the minimum, key
managers, your small business computer consultant and attorney.
4. Hold a company-wide meeting to brief staff on
proposed guidelines for corporate Internet access policies.
Try to keep the gathering and discussion as upbeat
as possible, encourage questions and be sure to give plenty of
examples of how management will monitor Internet usage and enforce
the guidelines for corporate Internet access policies.
5. Make the Internet access policy a condition of
employment.
This should be equally enforced at all levels, as
well as with both new and existing small business employees.
You should also consider having small business
employees sign off on a copy of the policy, citing Internet policy
examples, and adding the signed
copy to their personnel file. Again, be sure to consult with your
attorney before adopting this small business computer support
stance.
6. Add Internet policy examples to new employee
orientation.
Each new hire to your small business should be briefed on
this topic, guidelines for corporate internet access policies, and given typical scenarios.
7. Spell out sanctions for violations.
If you intend to set up a procedure to address written or
verbal warnings and escalation, up to and including termination of
employment, be sure this is crystal clear in your company policy and
Internet policy examples.
8. Post the policy conspicuously.
Your small business Internet access policy statement won't
be too effective if it's just buried in some binder in your office
manager's or human resource director's office.
Be sure your small business Internet access policy is
displayed prominently on company bulletin boards and incorporated into
your employee handbook.
9. Update the policy regularly.
Small businesses change fast. The Internet changes even
faster.
Be sure your company's guidelines for corporate Internet access policies
stay relevant by setting a time each year to review the document
with your key managers, small business computer consultant and attorney.
10. Keep the Internet policy examples in front of your staff.
Be sure to provide a "refresher" briefing on
your guidelines for corporate internet access policies, at least once a year, through
company meetings and by sending around a reminder e-mail or memo.
The Bottom Line on Guidelines for Corporate Internet
Access Policies
Your small business can get tremendous benefits out
of tapping the power of the Internet selectively for e-mail, web
browsing and newsgroups.
However, you need to be prepared to address some of the
inherent risks of providing your staff with access to Internet resources.
Use this list as your starting point for planning your company's small
business Internet access policy, developing guidelines for corporate
Internet access policies and communicating Internet policy examples.
At the same time you consider adopting an Internet access
policy, it's also a great time to think about extending the scope of these
policy efforts to other computer support and technology resources such as
company PCs, laptops, and servers, as well as voicemail.
In the next issue, we'll
walk you through preparing a simple, one page written small business
Internet access policy statement to tie all of these elements together.
Get More Information About Joshua Feinberg and Smallbiztechtalk.com
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