Blake Lapthorn's Employment law team held its Thames Valley HR forum at its Oxford office on 10 May 2011.

1. Networking, internet and e-mail use – the
latest challenge for employers?
Debbie Sadler
Senior solicitor
Blake Lapthorn solicitors

2. The benefits
Cheap and effective means of marketing
Innovative business development
Greater awareness of competitors products and
services
Allows brand to reach wider and more diverse
audience
Improves internal as well as external communication
Brand recognition
(Recruitment)

3. The dangers
Litigation
– data protection
– Discrimination/harassment
– libel
Damage to reputation
Time consuming and potentially time wasting
Leaking of confidential information
Ownership issues

4. Protecting your business
Use of internet in recruitment process?
Contract of employment:-
– Confidentiality clause
– Return of Company property
– Internet and e-mail policy
– Social networking policy
– Contacts

5. Protecting your business
Monitoring employees:-
DPA : expectation of privacy
: must be proportionate
: Why? When? How? Who?
Internet and E-mail Policy
publicise to all staff
confirm monitoring will take place
clarify what constitutes acceptable use
clarify position on personal use - none/reasonable?

6. Protecting your business
Social Networking Policy : avoid
– identifying company
– bringing company into disrepute
– comments which could damage working relationship
– Posting confidential information
Public forum? “Whingeing down the pub”?
Stephens –v- Halfords plc ET 2010
Simonetti –v Delta Airlines 2004

7. Networking, internet and e-mail use – the
latest challenge for employers?
Debbie Sadler
Senior solicitor
Blake Lapthorn solicitors