BDS Solutions: Internet & Email Use Policy

The purpose of this article is to remind all employees of their responsibility to operate within existing BDS Marketing guidelines regarding Internet and email usage. Each of us needs to be clear about what constitutes acceptable and appropriate uses of these business tools.

These systems are provided to support our business functions, and employees should recognize that these are not to be viewed as secure or private communication systems. The Company reserves the right to read, copy and/or delete inappropriate messages or images in determining whether or not there have been violations of Company Policy. As such, there should be no expectation of privacy as it related to inbound or outbound emails or Internet site access.

While these policies have been spelled out in clear detail in the BDS Employee Handbook, listed are some items that are specifically prohibited:

Internet 

• Use of BDS Marketing computer resources for illegal, harassing, disruptive or socially unacceptable purposes or personal gain.
• Sending, receiving, or searching (aka “surfing”) for sexually-oriented messages or images, or those that might be considered lewd or offensive.
• Issuing offensive or disparaging statements or language based on race, culture, sex, age, disability, religion or other personal attributes.
• Making, using or accepting illegal copies of copyrighted software or other communication mediums.
• Transmitting proprietary or confidential business or customer data in unencrypted format across the Internet or other unsecured or public medium.

Email 

• Use of email for any illegal, unethical or socially unacceptable activity or any activity that could adversely affect the company or its employees.
• Transmission of offensive, obscene, defamatory or harassing messages.
• Transmission of sensitive or proprietary information to unauthorized persons or organizations.
• Use of email to send non-business related information to mail-lists or large groups of people, to circulate chain letters or solicit the purchase or sale of items outside of approved company avenues.

All employees will be held to the high standards of business and personal ethics regarding the use of these important business communication and computer tools. IT will continue to do random checks of desktop hard drives, network drives, email and web addresses to ensure that these guidelines are being properly followed. If you have any questions about whether your actions are in line with BDS Marketing guidelines, please consult with your manager. Employees are also encouraged to report any perceived violations to their manager or directly to Human Resources.