Being Clear About the Internet Rules at Work

Every employee in every sort of work environment should have a working knowledge of the internet rules he or she is supposed to adhere to while on the job. Of course there are many jobs that require employees to be using the internet while on the job like; writers, web designers, advertisers, etc. but there should still be a set of rules or guidelines about what is OK and not OK or about what is and isn’t appropriate usage of the internet while at work. This is called compliance training.

For those employers who are at a loss, here are a few guidelines to follow when it comes to being clear about the internet rules at work:

Establish the Internet Rules

No matter what the job entails there must be an established set of rules for using the internet. Here are just a few examples of on-the-job internet rules:

• No using the internet while working with a customer (unless he or she is creating an account, checking a balance, etc.)
• No internet usage for personal profiles/social media/other digital media
• Company internet is only to be used for company related purposes
• Anyone caught using company internet on company time for anything other than a company related purpose (will receive the following consequence)
• What are company related purposes? (Make a list in order to be clear)
• Only certain employees are allowed to use company internet (if an employee has a job that does not require the internet than he or she should not be using it, make a list to be clear)

Include Internet Rules for Employees to Sign

When you hire new employees make sure you include the internet rules you have established for your company in a packet or form for them to sign. Be sure you go over the rules with them when they are hired and that they read the rules on their own time before they sign. You can also remind employees about the internet rules with signs/posters throughout the workplace, don’t overdo it though; you don’t want to scare anyone.

Allow Internet Time

In your list of internet rules you may want to consider including a section that allows internet usage for a certain amount of time for every employee. This could include actual time on the job or could just be part of lunch and other breaks. With online media becoming a more powerful force for good in the world of business and advertising you may want to encourage your employees to like the company Facebook page, post on the company Twitter, or even follow some of the company pins on Pinterest.

Establish Clear Consequences for Breaking the Rules

Many employees will push the limits or have a “I’m going to do it anyway,” attitude if they only know the rules and are not aware of the consequences for breaking those rules. You need to have a system of clearly established consequences for breaking internet rules.

Follow Through with Established Consequences

Having a set of consequences for breaking internet rules is not going to do you or your employees any good if you are not willing to follow through with those set consequences. Make sure you set consequences that you are happy with and willing to live with because if you do not follow through with them; then your employees will come to understand the rules as mere guidelines that may or may not need to be adhered to. Establish the rules and consequences then stand by those choices.