Recently, a longtime employee was terminated for accessing adult web sites on a company computer. Though the employee claimed that while doing a job-related Web search several adult ads popped up, records show the site addresses were actually keyed in. The employee was also logged into the computer at the time.

This was the third time the employee was found to be using the Web inappropriately. He was given a warning both times. Now is the time to remind employees of the company's policy on using the Web. For starters, Web use is limited to tasks relevant to company business, and employees are to use the company email system for company business only. If an employee receives a personal email message through the company system, he or she should forward it to a personal email account and open it elsewhere while "off the clock".

The company reserves the right to monitor employee Web and email use on a company computer at any time. Finally, employees who violate the policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.Write a MEMO reminding employees of the policy.