small office restricting internet usage

F

Financehelp

Guest
Hi

I'm working in a small office 6 pcs, and am trying to install some system to restrict the internet sites people access. I've no problem with people logging on to book the odd flight or check their banking. But lately the system is being abused and some people are spending the whole day on chat sites anyone else encoutered this problem?
 
Does the company have a clearly stated acceptable usage policy? Does the company take any technical steps (e.g. proxy server that blocks access to all but essential resources) to limit usage?
 
no we've nothing in place, it's only just become a problem as we've a new starter who's abusing the system
 
Depending on the personality of the person in question perhaps an email to all staff reminding them of (or informing them of for the first time) your acceptable usage policy for internet and email might do the trick. If you wanted something a bit stronger you could also say that the reminder is being sent as there has been an unacceptable level of internet activity recently and that if it continues you will be forced to install software restricting all access to non-work related sites. That also buys you a couple of weeks to look into said software solutions.
 
Thanks Janet I'll send out a mail like that until I can get something sorted
 
You should get an acceptable use policy in place. There was a case not too long ago where an employee of a Dublin firm won a case (including compensation) for unfair dismissal after being fired for viewing porn but the company had no acceptable use policy in place. If in doubt consult a solicitor with experience in employer/employee/workplace matters.
 
In relation to this, does anyone know of a site where I could get sample usage policies? I know that we'd need to edit them for our own use, but an example would be a good starting point
 
dont know if this is any help to you:

where i work every single website was initially banned.

as people needed official access to the various sites they had to request it from one person who was authorised - then everyone had access to that site. bit frustrating at the start - but before long all the main sites that staff need for work are up and running (obviously you could add in a load of sites yourself initially if you know staff need them).

also, and i'm no lawyer, but re your acceptable useage thing - i dont think thats just for the sake of warning/firing people - its also for covering yourself - if employee A has something offensive on their screen and employee B walks past and takes gross offence - you could find yourself out of pocket (i'm open to correction on this point).
 
oh, and also - we all had to sign a document stating that we'd read the internet useage policy and agreed to be bound by it etc
 
It is important that you get good acceptable usage policies in place, to both protect the rights of the employee and the rights of the company. Each person has a right to privacy under the EU Human Rights Directive. This right to privacy extends to the workplace and people can expect their communications to be private. However, it is accepted that businesses need to monitor internet traffic and email to protect themselves from issues that vladmir outlined, from accusations of bullying and harassment, downloading and/or distribution of illegal, libellous or immoral content.

I suggest having a look at the following document, http://www.datasolutions.ie/pdf/4LegalGuide-Eire-Nov04.pdf for more information.

Regarding usage policies your best bet is to seek help/advise from someone who is expert in this area. Cutting and pasting a sample doc that may be based on legislation not applicable to Ireland could expose your company to legal issues in the event there was ever a problem. A sample policy would also not take into account the business needs and requirements of your company. Saying that Enterprise Ireland have a good page on the subject available here .

C
 
Capaill - more or less exactly the links I needed

I am all too aware of the "copy and paste" issues, but I am also aware that asking our solicitors to draft one from scratch would cost a lot more than getting them to vet one we have already drafted
 
If you're a member of ISME or the SFA, they may have something suitable they could pass on.
leo
 
I have to laugh. Are 99% of AAM contibutors not abusing the internet in work?? On a serious note though, a friend of mine got an email in her workplace a few years ago telling them what was and wasn't acceptable. I'll see if she still has the text of it. I know my local library has restricted access to websites. I'd imagine there must be some software you can buy that can be installed on the server which lets you restricting access without letting the user change the settings. I'll enquire from a few friends to see what happens in their workplace.
 
ribena said:
Are 99% of AAM contibutors not abusing the internet in work??
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Not necessarily - depends on the policy in each individual's workplace and their arrangements with their employer in relation to non work usage of internet facilities.
 
Financehelp said:
no we've nothing in place, it's only just become a problem as we've a new starter who's abusing the system
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Forget about general emails and new policies for the time being. You need to approach the new starter directly and tell him/her directly to cop on.

You can put policies and/or restrictive tools in place at a later stage, but you need to confront this problem straight away.
 
RainyDay said:
Forget about general emails and new policies for the time being. You need to approach the new starter directly and tell him/her directly to cop on.
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If the person is getting their job done while also using the internet facilities for other reasons and there is no clear policy stating that this is not allowed then telling to cop on might be dodgy from a disciplinary/employee relations point of view.
 
Sounds like the new starter has "infected" the older workers.

What kind of business are you in? Is internet availability necessary at all? The web is a highly addictive resource and I would question the necessity of having it available on all workstations in many cases. Email of course is another matter entirely.

Then again you have to treat people like adults and hope they will reciprocate. I think an acceptable usage policy is OK in theory but in practice it's only going to help you fire people if necessary. It's easy enough to block chatting if that's the main problem (chat sites or just logging in to MSN by the way?); just get a firewall in place.
 
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