Business Ethics: Use of Internet At Work: Policy Proposals

Your consulting services have been requested by the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. The CEO is concerned about the use of the internet at work and employs your consulting services to discuss her concerns. Primarily, she is concerned that employees might be abusing the internet and is wondering what repercussions the company might face in a variety of legal areas, specifically with respect to the legal environment of business, ethics, and human resources issues. She is also concerned with preventing abuse of the internet at all levels, from low-level employees to the Board of Directors. She requests a memo from you regarding (answer the following questions:

1. Possible torts that could be committed by employees who use the internet at work

2. Possible crimes that could be committed by employees who use the internet at work (and indicate whether the crimes are white collar or blue collar)

3. Liability of the corporation versus liability of the individual employee through commission of torts or crimes using the internet at work