Appropriate Use of your PC
All Manpower staff must comply with the following rules whilst assigned to BT.
E-mail must never be used to send ‘jokes’ and inappropriate or offensive e-mails. Such emails could be inadvertently sent to the wrong person, or viewed directly by clients and customers. It is your own responsibility to ensure you always lock your PC before walking away from your desk. Under no circumstances should anyone send e-mails from, or log into another persons account. It is not permitted to access non BT e-mail accounts (e.g. provided by ISP’s) from BT owned equipment.
Please remember, as stated by the BT security policy:
‘’All messages, regardless of any privacy or confidentiality marking, routed via BT e-mail service may be intercepted, monitored and analysed’’. BT also intercepts external e-mails with attachments that may contain a virus, which could be harmful to the business, or could contain inappropriate or offensive material.
Computer Games/Films
Computer games and films must not be played on BT Computers or laptops at any time.
Internet Use
Staff are encouraged by BT to use the Internet and the Intranet for business and development purposes however viewing must be kept to a minimum, excessive use will not be tolerated. It is strictly forbidden to access, download and/or circulate inappropriate Internet material from office based PC’s or via BT Remote Access. The use of chat rooms and chat type programs is not permitted. The use of message boards for non-business use is also not permitted.
BT security monitors which Internet sites have been accessed through the firewall. The evidence supplied by BT security during an investigation is very detailed; including dates, times, IP addresses, users ID and viewing length of time.
Screensavers and Wallpaper
Your Screensaver/wallpaper must be non-offensive and appropriate for a business environment.
Failure to comply with these procedures is deemed a serious offence and may result in disciplinary action.
Further information about what constitutes inappropriate use of communication facilities is contained in security policy 3-10 on the BT security website at: -
you have problems opening this page you may access the BT Security pages from the BT Homepage and navigate to “Security & You” web-site from there to look at “Computer Security”
Below is further information, which confirms what constitutes inappropriate use of BT’s PCs
The BT Web filter facility blocks many sites in various categories to avoid accessing inappropriate websites. If you accidentally access offensive or prohibited material, you should log off immediately.
Do not carry out Internet-based activities that could place BT at risk, bring BT into disrepute or defraud BT whilst using BT equipment.
If an individual accesses sites that are prohibited but not blocked, then the line manager must tell the individual not to access the site unless there is a business reason, in which case a Web scanner Bypass account must be requested.
Common sense must be applied when accessing the Internet whilst using BT equipment.
Inappropriate Use of the Internet
When accessing the Internet via a BT provided computer or BT Network or when access is in relation to BT business you must ensure that access is of an appropriate nature. The following is deemed inappropriate, without authority to do so by concession obtained via BT Security: Accessing, searching for, browsing, downloading, storing or forwarding material whether word, image or audio which is, or could be considered to be
- Obscene,
- Offensive,
- Sexual,
- Sexist,
- Racist,
- Politically offensive,
- An act that may be bring BT or individuals into disrepute
- Running a private business e.g. Selling, advertising
- A contribution to newsgroups
- An infringement of copyright (this includes images, music files and
video in any format)
- In connection with the use of Peer to Peer
- Use of web based email non-UK gateways
- Circumventing or tunnelling through BT’s firewall or other network / security control mechanisms
BT’s email services and messaging systems must not be used in any way likely to offend or bring BT into disrepute. Any breach of this security practice will be dealt with under Manpower’s discipline procedure and could lead to dismissal.
The following are examples of improper use, but is not an exhaustive list:
- Making personal comment outside BT / Manpower unless it is clear from the email/message that it does not represent the view of BT / Manpower
- Making any defamatory/derogatory comments about companies or individuals, either within or outside BT or Manpower, which may result in legal action against or embarrassment to BT or Manpower
- Producing, introducing or forwarding chain letters or hoax virus emails. Further information is available at
- Registering a BT email account on an external mailing list for receipt of email (other than for business purposes) unless authorised by your manager
- Using distribution lists from the global address list for personal items of mail
- Conducting personal business transactions via email or messaging systems e.g. selling, advertising
- Sending or saving material internally or externally where there is an inherent risk that it could cause offence
- Sending or saving material that may be considered to be obscene offensive or of a sexual nature, whether in word, image or audio file
- Sending or saving material that is sexist, racist, ageist or could offend others because of its political nature
- Masquerading as another individual using BT’s email or messaging systems
- Using external ISP mail, including webmail based accounts (e.g.Talk21, Hotmail etc), for BT business
- Using / VOIP clients to connect to public services hosted on the Internet e.g. Skype, unless authorised to do so by BT Security
- Using BT’s email systems to send unsolicited emails to a third party or parties i.e. sending ‘SPAM emails.
- Whilst Instant Messaging is a useful tool for communication with business partners, customers or private contacts outside BT, you must not conduct any business arrangements or agreements over this medium.
If you are in any doubt as to these requirements or the policies of BT Group Security, further advice and information can be obtained from your BT contact and your Manpower Manager.
11/08