OUT-LAW's free communications policy

Last updated: 14th November 2007

This free Communications Policy (also known as an Internet and Email Policy or an Acceptable Use Policy) is based on UK law. Before downloading and using it, you should read our guide to Internet and email policies if you don't already understand the legal issues.

Instructions for using our policy

This is an example communications policy. It may be suitable for use in your business.

If you wish to use the policy, you will need to make some amendments to it to suit the circumstances of your business and your attitude to risk, so read it carefully. It addresses many issues, which is why it is several pages long, and it may be that only certain parts fit your business. You may feel that you want to break this up into a series of shorter policies; or you may find that parts should be deleted or changed substantially to suit your circumstances.

For example, your employees may have use of email but not of the internet. Or you may not wish to address employees' use of blogs outside work, or your business may or may not have an intranet. In addition, depending on the nature of your business, you will probably wish to amend certain points – for example, we refer to 'informing your divisional manager' but your organisation may not have divisional managers.

Look out for sections in square brackets in particular – and don't forget to delete these instructions from the start of the document.

This document is Copyright © Pinsent Masons 2007. It can be used internally in your organisation but must not be sold or distributed elsewhere.

If you would like help from us to tailor this policy to your business, or if you simply want something shorter, please get in touch with one of our main contacts.

Do not use the policy if you're not confident that it is suitable for your circumstances.

• Download the policy