FAST calls for internet and e-mail policies to save productivity

Each day 20 million UK workers send 4.5 million e-mails, says FAST. The content, without strict e-mail protocol, is rarely detected. These messages could contain a legitimate message or in some cases the entire year's work of an employee who is moving to a competitor.

Internet management company Websense reports that, during the 9-5 working day, 70% of all internet porn traffic occurs, 30 to 40% of internet surfing is not business-related and more than 60% of on-line purchases are made.

"No company is immune from e-risk," said Richard Willmott head of FAST Corporate Services. "You cannot be present in every office every hour of the day and you cannot rely on employees to exercise sound judgement 100% of the time."

"UK businesses must establish clear policies and procedures to help reduce electronic exposures and lessen the likelihood of costly litigation.

"Regulating employee e-mail, internet, and software use isn't a big brother tactic. It's smart business. Employee use of company computer resources, including e-mail, the internet, and software, can open any organisation to electronic risks. What starts off as a little bit of Cyberslacking can turn into major company turmoil."

Richard Willmott believes companies must take a proactive stance and prepare themselves by ensuring policies are set in place now.

"Take the experience of Norwich Union where a simple error of judgement with e-mail cost the company £450,000. An employee did not know that a message sent out from a company e-mail address it is just like sending it out on letterhead and unintentionally sent out a libellous e-mail. A simple internet and e-mail policy could have prevented this situation."

Recent research has revealed so-called cyberslackers' favourite sites include news, investment, pornography, travel, entertainment and shopping. 50% of employees report receiving racist, sexist, pornographic, or otherwise inappropriate email at work.

Furthermore, 90% of workers admit to recreational surfing on company time, accounting for nearly one third of their on-line activity.

For information on internet and e-mail policies and how to monitor employees legally, see our guide. We are about to make a new policy available free for download and use. If you want to be notified when it becomes available, e-mail [email protected].