Expectations of Employee Communication

EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION

USE OF COMPANY PHONES

We recognize that employees must sometimes place or receive personal calls on Company telephones. However, the telephone system is intended primarily for the conduct of the Company’s business, and it is imperative that personal use not interfere with that purpose. If you must make a personal call, please make every effort to do so during non-working hours. Ask callers to keep the number and length of calls to a minimum.

Personal long-distance calls may not be made from our offices without advance approval from your Supervisor and will be approved only in case of emergencies.

______TELEPHONE USAGE AND PROCEDURES

Telephone manners are important to create good impression to our referring physician offices and to our patients. Remember to answer the telephone promptly, identify yourself and express a willingness to assist the caller. Once assistance has been provided, terminate the call courteously. Callers should never be placed on hold for extended periods of time. Courtesy should be extended to our customers and patients at all times whether in person or on the telephone.

If you are having difficulty with someone who has called the office, simply ask the caller to hold and refer the call to your Supervisor or the Practice Manager.

We recognize that employees must sometimes place or receive personal calls on Company telephones. However, the telephone system is intended primarily for the conduct of the Company’s business, and it is imperative that personal use not interfere with that purpose.

If you must make a personal call, please make every effort to do so during non-working hours. Ask callers to keep the number and length of calls to a minimum.

Personal long-distance calls may not be made from our office without advance approval from your supervisor and will only be approved in emergencies.

While this employee handbook describes the personnel policies and practices of ___, employees are also responsible for adhering to the operational and procedural standards of their respective jobs and departments, whether these policies are communicated in writing or though on-the-job instruction.

Failure to comply with or to meet existing standards will be considered reason for disciplinary action and may result in termination of employment.

USE OF PERSONAL CELL PHONES

____ strives to make every visitor and employee feel comfortable and safe, while providing an efficient and convenient experience; therefore, prohibiting cell phones for employees’ personal use while working should alleviate unnecessary distractions.

All employees of ____ should turn their cell phones off when reporting to work each day. The use of cell phones will only be allowed during lunch or on break periods. Employees found to be in violation of this policy may be disciplined.

INFORMATIONAL NOTICES TO EMPLOYEES

All notices that affect employment to ___, including information regarding safety, labor laws and policy changes will be posted on the bulletin board located in the staff lounges. It is the responsibility of each employee to be aware of all notices concerning policy changes and regulation as they are posted or distributed.

INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

INTERNET AND EMAIL POLICY

Voice mail, email, and Internet usage assigned to an employee's computer or telephone extensions are solely for the purpose of conducting the Medical Practice’s business. Some job responsibilities at the Medical Practice require access to the Internet and the use of software in addition to the Microsoft Office suite of products. Only people appropriately authorized, for the Medical Practice’s purposes, may use the Internet or access additional software.

SOFTWARE ACCESS PROCEDURES

Software needed, in addition to the Microsoft Office suite of products, must be authorized by your supervisor and downloaded by the IT department. If you need access to software, not currently on the Medical Practice’s network, talk with the Office Manager.

INTERNET USAGE

Internet use, on the Medical Practice’s time, is authorized to conduct the Medical Practice’s business only. Internet use brings the possibility of breaches to the security of confidential Medical Practice information. Internet use also creates the possibility of contamination to our system via viruses or spyware. Spyware allows unauthorized people, outside the Medical Practice, potential access to Medical Practice passwords and other confidential information.

Removing such programs from the Medical Practice network requires IT staff to invest time and attention that is better devoted to progress. For this reason, and to assure the use of work time appropriately for work, we ask staff members to limit Internet use.

Additionally, under no circumstances may Medical Practice computers or other electronic equipment be used to obtain, view, or reach any pornographic, or otherwise immoral, unethical, or non-business-related Internet sites. Doing so can lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

EMAIL USAGE

Email is also to be used for Medical Practice business only. Medical Practice confidential information must not be shared outside of the Medical Practice, without authorization, at any time. You are also not to conduct personal business using the Medical Practice computer or email.

Please keep this in mind, also, as you consider forwarding non-business emails to associates, family or friends. Non-business related emails waste Medical Practice time and attention.

Viewing pornography, or sending pornographic jokes or stories via email, is considered sexual harassment and will be addressed according to our sexual harassment policy.

EMAILS THAT DISCRIMINATE

Any emails that discriminate against employees by virtue of any protected classification including race, gender, nationality, religion, and so forth, will be dealt with according to the harassment policy.

These emails are prohibited at the Medical Practice. Sending or forwarding non-business emails will result in disciplinary action that may lead to employment termination.

___ OWNS EMPLOYEE’S EMAIL

Keep in mind that the Medical Practice owns any communication sent via email or that is stored on Medical Practice equipment. Management and other authorized staff have the right to access any material in your email or on your computer at any time. Please do not consider your electronic communication, storage or access to be private if it is created or stored on practice equipment.