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.
