PAP.5.8.150 Internet and Telephones

(a) All electronic and telephonic communication systems and all communications and information transmitted by, received from, or stored in these systems are the property of the LCO-CHC and as such are to be used solely for job-related purposes. The use of any software and business equipment, including, but not limited to, e-mail, internet access, facsimile machines, computers, telephones (land lines and cellular phones) and copy machines for private purposes is prohibited.

(b) No employee may use a pass code or voice-mail access code that has not been issued to that employee or that is unknown to the LCO-CHC. Moreover, improper use of the e-mail system (e.g., distributing offensive jokes or remarks) will not be tolerated.

(c) Employees shall not use the LCO-CHC's internet, voice mail and e-mail resources, phones and other systems in a prohibited manner, including:

(1) To transmit, view, retrieve, or store any communications of a discriminatory or harassing nature or materials that are considered obscene or pornographic;

(2) To access pornographic internet sites, display or print any associated materials, pictures and cartoons;

(3) To harass or transmit messages with derogatory or inflammatory remarks about an individual's race, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, religion, national origin or physical attributes or transmit abusive, profane or offensive language;

(4) For non-business, personal or private use, including but not limited to game playing and personal communication not associated with business;

(5) To disclose any confidential or proprietary information except where such disclosure is authorized or permitted in this personnel policy and procedural manual;

(6) To solicit for more LCO-CHC approved activities;

(7) Do not access file sharing sites for music, videos or whatever;

(8) Do not access any social networking sites such as My Space or Facebook;

(9) Do not use streaming audio or video at your computer. The only exceptions would be for approved training such as the ICS or IHS trainings;

(10) Do not access gaming sites, E-Bay or other non-work related sites;

(11) Do not connect to the internet and leave it open. Do what you need and get off;

(12) Do not open any email that you do not recognize the sender;

(13) Turn off preview of emails. Even the preview mode transmits virus activity;

(14) To prevent viruses when receiving emails from unknown sources do not open any attachments while in email, save the attachments while in email, save the attachments and open it later, and of course never open an attachment you are not sure about.

(d) Employees shall not use the LCO-CHC's internet, voice mail and e-mail resources and other systems and equipment, including but not limited to computer hardware, software, copier, fax machine and postage machine in a manner that is contrary to the provisions of any purchase or lease contract, such as unlawful copying of computer software.

(e) Notwithstanding the LCO-CHC's right to retrieve and read any voice or electronic mail messages, such messages should be treated as confidential by other employees and accessed only by the intended recipient. Employees are not authorized to retrieve or read any voice or e-mail messages that are not sent to them. Any exception to this policy must receive prior written approval by Management.

(f) The LCO-CHC may monitor, record and listen to all internet, e-mail and voice mail usage, to assure compliance with its policies, for cost analysis and for legitimate business purposes. Thus, the LCO-CHC may listen to, access and disclose any information in the electronic communication and telephone systems, even such information or communication protected by an employee's personal password, at any time, with or without notice to the employee. Employees have no expectation of privacy in connection with the use of these systems, or the transmission, receipt or storage of information in such systems.