An internet use policy

Millions of staff in the UK now have access to the internet at work, and it seems that not all of them use it exclusively for work-related purposes. Indeed, employee misuse of the internet is becoming a growing problem for UK employers.

Surveys have found that UK employees waste valuable work time on the internet, visiting websites ranging from kung fu online to various adult sites.

The problem is further complicated by the private use of e-mail at work. While employee misuse of the internet raises questions about productivity and responsibility, misuse of e-mail raises the more serious issues of legal liability and security.

Illegal or offensive material on a company's e-mail system could leave the company liable to prosecution, regardless of who wrote it; and it is all too easy for employees to use e-mail to despatch sensitive or confidential material to their own address or to third parties.

Clearly, employers may need to consider monitoring employee use of e-mail to protect themselves. The issue of employee use of the internet, however, is more complex.

Some commentators argue that private surfing not only improves the employee's knowledge of the Web, allowing them to find their way around more quickly and efficiently, but that it also provides a useful form of relaxation and stress-relief rather like Solitaire and other games that are often built into software packages.

If you have not already done so, you should consider drawing up written guidelines to make employees aware of what is being monitored and how.

You will also need to ensure that you do not breach your employees’ privacy rights under the law.

You should follow the guidance on Monitoring at Work set out by the Information Commissioner. This can be found at: www.ico.gov

Easy Accountancy

Easy Accountancy is the UK’s only national specialist accountancy firm for freelancers, sole traders and small businesses

If you’ve just started out as a freelancer or run a small business, you’ll definitely need a small accountant and there are plenty of options out there! However, most accountants will charge you every time you get in touch with them; for every phone call, email or meeting.

We don’t want our clients to be scared to contact us and potentially lose out on valuable tax saving advice. It's even more important when you first start out as you really need to set your business up in the best way possible. As a start up you’ll probably have loads of questions and will really appreciate the fact you can call your accountant as many times as you like without the fear of racking up large bills.

Our low cost, all-inclusive fixed-fee accountancy service includes unlimited access to your own accountant throughout the year, so you never need to worry about picking up the phone and then receiving a bill afterwards for the privilege, and covers all your business and personal tax affairs needs. All clients additionally receive:

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Provide proactive tax advice throughout the year

We’ve saved our clients up to half on their accountancy bills – if you’d like a quote, click on the quote me button to the right of this page. Alternatively, call us on 0500 234111 / 01442 275767 or email jessica@easyaccountancy.co.uk

We also have a money-back service guarantee - all of your telephone calls and emails will be answered on the same day, or we will refund your monthly fee (another first within the accountancy world).

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