Internet Policy for Employees

An Internet Policy is a document established by a business that outlines the rules, practices, and procedures for employees utilizing the internet, either on their own time or on company devices. Usually, a good Internet Policy will also include information about cell phone and social media usage, as well as rules governing correspondence, such as e-mail. In an Internet Policy, the company informs employees about the standards that are expected of them while utilizing the internet. An Internet Policy is an extremely important document in the life of any company.

Generally, employees don't negotiate anything contained within the Internet Policy. Employers are the ones that list all of their requirements and policies. Employees simply review the policy and agree to it through their employment. If the employer wants to have the employees sign, they have the option of doing so.

The company may also have an Employee Handbook or Employee Privacy Policy (or both). These documents can work in conjunction with the Internet Policy. Usually, if there are several written documents for employees, each one will need to be followed. The documents may relate to each other, but not all contain the exact same information. In other words, the employees must comply with all the guidelines they are given.

How to use this document

This document should be used by a business looking to get their Internet Policy down into a permanent form. This Internet Policy can be given to employees at the start of the employment relationship or any time the company wishes.

This form will start with the contact details of the company. Then, the form will go on to ask just a few questions about employee internet and social media use. Most of the document is already drafted as a standard-form template.

When this agreement is filled out, it should be printed, given to all employees, and kept on file with the company. Then, each time a new employee starts work with the company, the employee should be given a copy of the Internet Policy.

Applicable law

Internet Policies will be subject to federal law, in that they are not permitted to restrict employee free speech or organizing, even if that activity is done online. State laws will cover the individual elements of the employment relationship.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.