Can you get fired for using the Internet at work?
First, all many employers nowadays have Internet policies that essentially forbid employees from using work computers to surf the Internet “for personal reasons.” So, if they can prove that the employee violated that rule, they can assert the employee engaged in “willful misconduct,” and is therefore disqualified from …
What would be the unacceptable use of the Internet while at work?
In particular the following is deemed unacceptable use or behaviour by employees: visiting internet sites that contain obscene, hateful, pornographic or otherwise illegal material. using the computer to perpetrate any form of fraud, or software, film or music piracy.
Can you control employees personal internet use at work?
Generally, employers have the right to monitor their employees use of the Internet on computers owned by the employer, during employees’ on-duty hours. This allows employers to monitor your website activity, e-mail account, and instant messages. This right, howbeit, cannot be used as a means of discrimination.
Is it legal to monitor how employees use the Internet?
According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resources Development, 74 percent of companies monitor their employees’ use of the Internet. Companies can legally monitor employees’ activities if they have written policies stating they should not have an expectation of privacy at work.
How do employers monitor Internet usage at work?
How Do Employers Monitor Internet Usage at Work? Employers use employee internet usage monitoring software such as BrowseReporter to monitor internet usage at work. With these monitoring tools, employers can see the exact websites that employees visit and how much time was spent browsing the internet.
Why do companies monitor employees use of the Internet?
Some employers monitor Internet use in the workplace to protect their companies from legal problems that could arise if employees use company computers for inappropriate or illegal online activities.
What is employee internet abuse?
Introduction. Internet abuse in the workplace is an issue among organizations. Statistics show that employees who use the Internet during work hours for extensive personal use cost companies significant losses in job productivity and increase their risk or corporate liability.
Why or why not should employers give employees full Internet access?
So how do employers address the reality of employees accessing non-work related websites? The truth is that restricting Internet access can create a repressive work environment, damaging employee confidence and morale. Instead, a more flexible approach should be considered.
Should employees be allowed to use social media at work?
Allowing your staff to use social media at work can boost morale and actually improve employee engagement for a number of reasons… It shows that you trust them (boosting morale and happiness). It will make them feel valued (it’s like a little perk of the job). Connecting with loved ones will boost their happiness.
Can an employer force you to use social media?
The newly amended Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act makes it illegal for companies to ask or require employees to use personal social media profiles to join their employer’s online accounts. Rulings by the National Labor Relations Board state employers cannot restrict what employees post on their own accounts.
Do employers have to notify employees of monitoring activity?
Under the US Federal Law, employers have the right to monitor their employees as they perform their duties. There is no federal law in the US that requires employers to notify their staff that they are being monitored.
How do employees feel about being monitored?
Employees may perceive workplace surveillance as a way to reduce them to robots — forcing them to take up identical working habits as their coworkers. This might make them feel detached from their work and feel undervalued. Employees may also feel stressed to perform well and be productive, under constant monitoring.
What are the laws for Internet usage at work?
Laws for Internet Usage at Work. The internet technology law that governs work internet usage gives individual employees extremely limited privacy rights. Internet law business issues have been found almost entirely in favour of the employer, ruling that while at work, the email and internet usage of the employee is actually the property…
Should employers monitor employee use of the Internet at work?
Since most studies depend on employee self-reported data, this productivity loss, combined with the concerns employers have for where their employees are surfing the web at work, causes more employers to decide to monitor employee use of the internet.
What is illegal use of the Internet?
Illegal use of the internet can span over a wide range of areas including Infringement of the privacy rights of individuals.
Who is responsible for the Internet usage of an employee?
Internet law business issues have been found almost entirely in favour of the employer, ruling that while at work, the email and internet usage of the employee is actually the property of the employer, especially when the employee is using the employers’ computer systems and equipment.