Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Purpose
The goals of this policy are to outline appropriate and inappropriate use of Thompson Holdings Incorporated internet resources, including the use of browsers, electronic mail and instant messaging, file uploads and downloads, and voice communications. Use of these services is subject to the following conditions.
Scope
Thompson Holdings Incorporated Internet Acceptable Use Policy applies to all employees at Thompson Holdings Incorporated regardless of employment status.
Policy Statements
1. Internet access at Thompson Holdings Incorporated is controlled through individual accounts and passwords. The IT Director is responsible for defining appropriate Internet access for Thompson Holdings Incorporated systems and users.
2. Each employee of Thompson Holdings Incorporated is required to read this Internet policy and sign an Internet use agreement prior to receiving a company user account and password.
Acceptable Use
3. Employees at Thompson Holdings Incorporated are encouraged to use the Internet to further the goals and objectives of Thompson Holdings Incorporated. The types of activities that are encouraged include:
· Communicating with business partners, clients and fellow employees, within the context of an individual’s assigned responsibilities.
· Acquiring or sharing information necessary or related to the performance of an individual’s assigned responsibilities.
· Employees are allowed limited Internet access for personal usage such as banking, social networking, independent learning and public service.
· Participating in educational or professional development activities.
Unacceptable Use
1. Employee Internet use will not interfere with other employees’ productive use of Internet resources. Internet use at Thompson Holdings Incorporated will comply with all Federal and State laws, all Thompson Holdings Incorporated policies, and all Thompson Holdings Incorporated contracts. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
· The Internet may not be used for illegal or unlawful purposes, including, but not limited to, copyright infringement, obscenity, libel, slander, fraud, defamation, plagiarism, harassment, intimidation, forgery, impersonation, illegal gambling, soliciting for illegal pyramid schemes and computer tampering (e.g. spreading computer viruses).
· The Internet may not be used in any way that violates Thompson Holdings Incorporated policies or rules including, but not limited to, personal email accounts, uploading and downloading of files for personal use, access to pornographic sites, gaming, competitive commercial activity and external instant messaging. Use of the Internet in a manner that is not consistent with the mission of Thompson Holdings Incorporated, that misrepresents Thompson Holdings Incorporated or that violates any Thompson Holdings Incorporated policy is prohibited.
· Thompson Holdings Incorporated prohibits use for mass unsolicited mailings and access for non-employees to Thompson Holdings Incorporated resources or network facilities.
· Play, join or host any form of gaming.
· Live or video streaming of TV shows, movies, sports events and etc.
· Employees may not establish company computers as participants in any peer-to-peer network.
· Employees may not view, copy, alter, or destroy data, software, documentation, or data communications belonging to Thompson Holdings Incorporated or another individual without authorized permission.
· In the interest of maintaining network performance, users should not send unreasonably large electronic mail attachments or video files not needed for business purposes.
· Individuals will only use Thompson Holdings Incorporated approved systems (PCs and laptops).
· Maintaining, organizing or participating in non-work-related Web blogs, Web journals, “chat rooms”, or private/personal/instant messaging.
· Personal PCs and laptops are strictly prohibited and should not be brought to any locations owned or rented by Thompson Holdings Incorporated.
· Destroying, deleting, erasing or concealing Thompson Holdings Incorporated files, data or otherwise making such files or data unavailable or inaccessible to other authorized users of Thompson Holdings Incorporated.
· Employees of Thompson Holdings Incorporated will treat all other individuals, clients, employees, etc. with whom they interact in any virtual, online forum or network capacity, in accordance with human right’s codes, company values, company policies and basic corporate social decorum.
Security
For security purposes, users may not share account or password information with another person. Accounts are to be used only by the assigned user of the account for authorized purposes. Attempting to obtain another user’s account password is strictly prohibited and may be grounds for termination. A user must contact the help desk or IT administrator to obtain a password reset if they have reason to believe that any unauthorized person has learned their password. Users must take all necessary precautions to prevent unauthorized access to Internet services.
Monitoring and Filtering
Thompson Holdings Incorporated will monitor any and all Internet activity occurring on Thompson Holdings Incorporated equipment or accounts. Thompson Holdings Incorporated currently employs filtering software to limit access to sites on the Internet. If Thompson Holdings Incorporated discovers activities that do not comply with applicable law or departmental policy, records retrieved may be used to document the wrongful content in accordance with due process.
Disclaimer
Thompson Holdings Incorporated assumes no liability for any direct or indirect damages arising from the user’s connection to the Internet. Thompson Holdings Incorporated is not responsible for the accuracy of information found on the Internet and only facilitates the accessing and dissemination of information through its systems. Users are solely responsible for any material that they access and disseminate through the Internet.
We encourage you to use your Internet access responsibly. Should you have any questions regarding this Internet Acceptable Use Policy, feel free to contact Human Resources or the Director of IT.
Non-Compliance
Violations of this policy will be treated like other allegations of wrongdoing at Thompson Holdings Incorporated. Allegations of misconduct will be adjudicated according to established procedures. Sanctions for non-compliance may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
1. Temporary or permanent revocation of access to some or all computing and networking resources and facilities.
2. Disciplinary action (Time Off without pay) according to applicable Thompson Holdings Incorporated policies.
3. Termination of employment.
4. Legal action according to applicable laws and contractual agreements.
Agreement
I have read and understand the Internet Acceptable Use Policy. I understand that if I violate the rules explained herein, I may face legal or disciplinary action according to applicable laws or company policy.
___________________________________________
Employee Name
___________________________________________ _______________________________________
Employee Signature Date