HR needs to work with IT to implement policies, systems, says professional organization
More than 70 per cent of companies in the United Kingdom have had to take disciplinary action against employees for viewing pornographic images on workplace computers, according to a new study.
The study was conducted by PixAlert, a computer image detection company, in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
It also found that more than half of senior managers questioned were unaware of their personal legal and civil liability for illegal and inappropriate images in the workplace. Furthermore, two out of every three companies surveyed have not kept computer-use policies for employees up to date, exposing them to potential criminal or civil claims, it said.
Key findings
•71 per cent of companies have had an incident where they have had to deal with employees having inappropriate or illegal images in the workplace within the last 24 months;
•54 per cent of managers were unaware of their personal legal liability for illegal and inappropriate images in the workplace;
•66 per cent of companies have an out-of-date computer-use policy for the management of inappropriate and illegal images; and
•68 per cent of companies have not deployed a desktop technology to counteract increased threats from new technologies such as memory sticks, DVDs, CDs, digital cameras and camera phones.
What HR needs to do
“Many people may view some inappropriate computer images as a bit of harmless fun,” said Imogen Haslam, CIPD professional adviser. “But this is not just about sparing blushes. A culture where some dodgy pictures are tolerated can all too easily create the environment where far more offensive or even illegal images can find their way into an organization, by accident or otherwise.”
Haslam said employers need to have clear, consistent policies that leave no room for doubt in the minds of employees.
“A little tolerance could cause a lot of trouble later,” said Haslam. “They also need to keep up to date with the rapidly advancing array of technology that can make it easy for unwanted images to slip into the workplace unnoticed. This should not be left to the IT department alone. It’s not computers that bring inappropriate or illegal images to work, it’s people.”
Haslam said HR needs to work with IT to make sure the systems are in place to monitor and enforce policies.
“But ultimately bosses who want to be sure they are protected from prosecution resulting from illegal images stored on their systems need to get the people management policies right,” said Haslam.
The survey was conducted in October and November 2004 and was responded to by HR and IT executives from more than 200 medium- and large-sized organizations in the U.K. from both the public and private sectors.
CIPD is a professional organizations for those involved in the management and development of people. It boasts more than 120,000 members.
The study was conducted by PixAlert, a computer image detection company, in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
It also found that more than half of senior managers questioned were unaware of their personal legal and civil liability for illegal and inappropriate images in the workplace. Furthermore, two out of every three companies surveyed have not kept computer-use policies for employees up to date, exposing them to potential criminal or civil claims, it said.
Key findings
•71 per cent of companies have had an incident where they have had to deal with employees having inappropriate or illegal images in the workplace within the last 24 months;
•54 per cent of managers were unaware of their personal legal liability for illegal and inappropriate images in the workplace;
•66 per cent of companies have an out-of-date computer-use policy for the management of inappropriate and illegal images; and
•68 per cent of companies have not deployed a desktop technology to counteract increased threats from new technologies such as memory sticks, DVDs, CDs, digital cameras and camera phones.
What HR needs to do
“Many people may view some inappropriate computer images as a bit of harmless fun,” said Imogen Haslam, CIPD professional adviser. “But this is not just about sparing blushes. A culture where some dodgy pictures are tolerated can all too easily create the environment where far more offensive or even illegal images can find their way into an organization, by accident or otherwise.”
Haslam said employers need to have clear, consistent policies that leave no room for doubt in the minds of employees.
“A little tolerance could cause a lot of trouble later,” said Haslam. “They also need to keep up to date with the rapidly advancing array of technology that can make it easy for unwanted images to slip into the workplace unnoticed. This should not be left to the IT department alone. It’s not computers that bring inappropriate or illegal images to work, it’s people.”
Haslam said HR needs to work with IT to make sure the systems are in place to monitor and enforce policies.
“But ultimately bosses who want to be sure they are protected from prosecution resulting from illegal images stored on their systems need to get the people management policies right,” said Haslam.
The survey was conducted in October and November 2004 and was responded to by HR and IT executives from more than 200 medium- and large-sized organizations in the U.K. from both the public and private sectors.
CIPD is a professional organizations for those involved in the management and development of people. It boasts more than 120,000 members.
