Mental Health America Internet and Computer Usage Agreement

Mental Health America encourages the staff to use information technology to enhance the performance of their jobs. In order to enhance the experience for all users, the following shall apply:

The computer and hardware provided to you at the MHA are owned and licensed by MHA and are provided solely for MHA business and uses consistent with its mission. All use of the system must conform to state and federal law. All employees are generally expected to use the World Wide Web (if authorized), email system, and all other Internet-related facilities for MHA business only and not for personal purposes. Personal purposes include, but are not limited to, solicitation, distribution of literature, sales, proselytizing for religious and political causes, outside organizations or other non-job related reasons. It should be kept in mind that any message utilizing the Internet contains the name of MHA in it and therefore reflects MHA.

In addition, all files created and stored and messages composed, sent or received utilizing MHA computer system are and remain the property of MHA. They are not the private property of any employee.

 

2. The confidentiality of messages should not be assumed.

MHA reserves the rights to access, review, copy, intercept, and delete electronic records received, created, or sent for any purpose utilizing MHA system as well as any data resulting from said use. All such records may be subject to disclosure to law enforcement officials or to third parties in the event of any legal action. All communications over the Internet are accessible by third parties.

All employees and users of MHA system will be assigned passwords for security purposes. However, for the reasons noted above, the use of passwords does not guarantee confidentiality.

Employees are prohibited from the unauthorized use of other employees’ passwords to gain access to their email and the Internet, as defined above, or from signing on to MHA under the identity of another. No person(s) shall have access to the system, without having received a personal account on the system. All employees are ultimately responsible for all activity on their account.

 

4. Confidential company information.

Because as noted above, information transmitted on the Internet is accessible by third parties, no confidential information should ever be transmitted on the Internet. Because individuals (MHA employees and third parties) other than the addressee may have access to internal email, no confidential information should be sent of forwarded internally via email except under express direction of the department head.

Before any materials are stored from the Internet, authorized employees should check for any viruses. It is imperative that you do not disable your computer virus scan. It must be working before any materials are downloaded from the Internet. Particular attention should be given when downloading programs and macros.

Copying, modification, distribution, and display of copyrighted materials (computer programs, textual material, graphics, and other forms of expression) without the permission of the copyright owner are copyright infringement. One copy of material may be made to your computer but not to the network or server. No other use may be made of the material without the permission of the owner.

It should be kept in mind that the Internet system can be accessed by many people and the information placed on this system may be accessed and downloaded by persons who have no connection with MHA. As noted above, messages that you upload to the Internet system carry with them the possibility of being disclosed to outside parties or a court in connection with litigation.

Employees are prohibited from using MHA computer system to create and send any messages that are unlawful, offensive, or disruptive. Among those considered offensive or disruptive include, but are not limited to, any messages that contain sexual implications, racial slurs, gender-specific comments, or other messages that offensively address someone’s age, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, national origin or disability.

 

No Downloading of Non-Business Related Data: The Company allows the download of files from the Internet. However, downloading files should be limited to those that relate directly to Company business.

 

No Downloading of Application Programs: The Company does not permit the download or installation on Company computers of application software from the Internet. This includes, software updates, patches; alternate internet browsers, email and news clients; and demo software. Such software may not only contain embedded viruses, but also is untested and may interfere with the functioning of standard Company applications.

 

No Participation in Web-Based Surveys Without Authorization: When using the Internet, the user implicitly involves the Company in his/her expression. Therefore, users should not participate in Web or E-Mail based surveys or interviews without authorization.

 

No Use of Subscription-based Services Without Prior Approval: Some Internet sites, newsgroups, mailing lists, bulletin boards, chat groups, AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, and other information services require that users subscribe before being able to use them. Users should not subscribe to such services without the express approval of management.

 

10. Damage to components.

No employee shall destroy, modify, or abuse any system components including hardware and software.

Users should be diligent in conserving systems resources. For example, frequently delete email and unused files.

Any employee who violates this policy or otherwise uses MHA computer system for improper purposes shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

This policy will be included in the Human Resource Manual.

 

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