Telephone and Computer Use Policy

The Company understands that when employees work during the week it is occasionally necessary to conduct personal business during office hours. However, employees should limit their personal use of the telephone and computer during office hours, and still observe all company policies.

Talk to your manager if you have any questions as to how much is too much time.

Personal use of company computer systems

You are expected to access personal email and social media accounts on your own personal time, outside of work hours and not on company equipment. We understand that in extraordinary circumstances, you may need to use the company computer for personal use. If so, you should limit this as much as possible and aim to keep it to less than 5 minutes at a time and no more than 15 minutes in any given day.

Strictly prohibited activities

Activities that are strictly prohibited on company computers (at any time and for any duration):

  • Playing games
  • Gambling
  • Watching movies
  • Shopping or buying gifts for personal use
  • Viewing any adult or pornographic material
  • Posting on any social media site, unless work-related
  • Browsing job openings or applying for a new job

and similar. If you are not sure about something, then it is best that you err on the side of caution and do not do it. Additionally, if you are not sure then ask before doing it.

Company property

Because telephone and e-mail systems are provided by the Company at its expense for business use, all messages sent by or received on those systems are company documents. The Company reserves the right to access and to disclose the messages that you send or receive on the voice mail or e-mail systems. Employees should also be aware that “deleted” messages from the computer screen may not actually be deleted from the e-mail system. Employees who abuse this policy are subject to disciplinary procedures up to and including discharge.