Technology has brought tremendous improvements to the workplace, but we also must be aware and proactive about negative side effects. At a recent workshop on Regulating Electronic Communication in the Workplace, D. Albert Brannen and Tracy L. Moon, Jr, attorneys with Fisher & Phillips, LLP focused on raising awareness to this important topic – managing how your employees are using company communications equipment.

They reported that an AMA study found the average employee spends 6 hrs/work week on the Internet, and 65% of that time is not on work related projects. The AMA study found work time being used to search for jobs, read the news, view sexually explicit materials, and manage investments.

Based on their research, Brannen and Moon recommended a 10-point plan for regulating electronic communications in the workplace. The following information is shared with their permission:

1. Audit Your Company’s Use of eCommunications
2. Train Employees About Your eCommunications Policy
3. Monitor eCommunications in the Workplace
4. Protect Your Trade Secrets
5. Consider Litigation/Discoverability Issues
6. Develop a Comprehensive eCommunications Policy
7. Do Not Create Privacy Rights
8. Uniformly Enforce Your eCommunications Policy
9. Know How Unions Can Use eCommunications
   
10. Use eCommunications Tools

© Debbie King, Evolution Management, Inc.  All Rights Reserved. 

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