Code of conduct - AIT content

1. Code of Conduct

2. • A Code of Conduct is an agreement that is
made between an employer and an employee
which outlines the rules and procedures that
the employee must comply to in the process
of their job.
• Code of Conduct is read and signed by an
employee, on an induction day or prior to the
beginning of their employment.

3. The reasons Code of Conducts contract are used;
1. Creates a positive working environment where
social norms are adhered to and every
employee is respected
2. Binding contract which can be used to discipline
an employee (including dismissal). Can be used
in a defence for ‘unfair dismissal’ if it comes
before the courts.
3. Can be used as a reference for employees to
refer back to if required.
4. Can help to educate new employees of the
expected behaviours.

4. What goes in a Code of Conduct?
Internet Use –
• This would be a significant section of the Code
of Conduct and would outline what an
employee can and can’t use the internet for in
the workplace.
• It would stipulate the use of social network
sites and the types of websites that would be
deemed innapropriate for the workplace
(porn, online gambling, youtube etc).

5. Employee Emails
There wil be rules regarding the type of
information that can be sent from this email.
In particular the use of the company email for
personal emails or emails that might contain
information which goes against the companies
policies regarding privacy, security of classified
information, cyber bullying or inapropriate
humour.

6. Employee Privacy
These will includerules regarding the
distribution and collection of private
information of other employees or customers.
• For example rules regarding giving out other
staff members personal information like
mobile numbers, address etc.

7. • Monitoring of Staff – The Code of Conduct might
stipulate the ways management might monitor
users computer use.
• Some of this monitoring might include work
emails, internet usage (websites and download
amounts) and computer activities during the
working day.
The organisation might stipulate that all emails sent
from the company will be monitored for
inapropriate messgages.

8. • Working at Home –
When staff work from home, the rules change.
There will need to be a section which allows for;
1. Hours of Work - Focus on amount of work
completed rather than office hours as this
could vary according to the employees home
situation (kids, sick relative)
2. Security – Staff might be accessing the work
server through a VPN. Rules regarding
passwords, locked office, computer
passwords.

9. 3. Employee and Internet Monitoring – This
might be reduced in a working from home
situation as often staff will be using their own
computer/laptop (Employee personal privacy
issues).

10. What is employee surveillance?
• Monitoring the employee/s actions during
the working period and/or using business
owned technology.

11. What equipment is used to monitor
employees?
• Video camera surveillance
• Key logging software
• Other workers that observe employees
• Desktop monitoring software – remotely
connect to employees PC and even
control it etc
• Log files – leave a record of all the
activities that took place on the PC
• Phone recording

12. Advantages of Employee
Surveillance
Advantages:
• Maintaining or increasing companies
productivity
• It can save time and money
• Reduces possibility of liability
• Increase security on your network

13. Disadvantages of Employee
Surveillance
• It is intrusive and may impact the privacy of
employees
• Mistrust issues between employer and
employee
• Cost of set-up and maintenance
• Can increase stress amongst employees
resulting in sickness
• Management may target employees unfairly
(bullying)
• Some data gathered may be used in an
unauthorised or illegal manner