4.3.4 - Working with ICT - Code of Conduct

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  • Created by: Annie
  • Created on: 04-05-13 20:05
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  • Code of Conduct
    • Definition
      • To help businesses ensure that their hardware and software are being used properly
        • This is enforced with the punishments and threats being made if the code is broken
      • The code usually covers internet usage on the employer's hardware too
      • Clarifies what the user can or cannot do
        • Such as what the employees can use their hardware for in their breaks (e.g. Social Networking)
    • Problems of employee usage of ICT
      • Accidental introduction of viruses
      • Wasting resources by printing personal documents
      • Using the Internet for private reasons - wasting work time
      • Using telephone for personal calls - may stop customers getting through
      • Sending personal emails from work - time wasting
      • Distribution of offensive content - e.g. racist, sexism
      • Misusing data for illicit purposes - breaking the Data Protection Act
      • Inappropriate misuse of mobile phones - causes distraction
      • Blackmail, fraud or selling information to other companies
      • Violation of copyright or software licenses, resulting in legal action
    • Contents of a Code of Conduct
      • Protecting hardware and software from malicious damage
        • Avoiding acting foolish around hardware
          • Such as throwing things which could break monitors
        • Treeating software disks with care
      • Abiding by current legislation
        • Data Protection Act
          • Keeping information up to date
        • Such as the Computer Misuse Act
          • Not hackings into systems
      • Complying with licensing agreements
        • Ensuring software is only loaded onto the right number of computers
        • Must not break license agreements knowingly
      • Respecting the rights of others
        • Include not  bullying other staff
        • Not using excessive bandwidth even if personal internet use is allowed
      • Authorisation and Permission on data access
        • Not accessing network resources they do not have permission for
        • Covers hardware to - not using colour printers or scanners without persmission
      • Responsibilities
        • Users have expectations on how they should action towards hardware and software
        • Not introducing viruses onto the system
      • Security
        • Appropriate internet and email usage
        • Firewalls to prevent distribution of company data
        • Printed information to be handled responsibly
        • Use of appropriate passwords
      • Employees usually agree to a code fo conduct when starting a job - it typically covers principles which willa pply to new technology
    • Penalties for misuse
      • Dismissal
        • Employee may lose their job and be prosecuted
      • Very serious matters/Gross misconduct
        • An employee may be immediately dismissed without warnings if it was serious
      • Written warning
        • Formal stage - often last warning before dismissal
        • Usually for a major issue or a series of smaller issues
      • Informal warning
        • First stage of the process - employee given the opportunity to correction themselves
        • Normally for minor issues
    • Differences between Moral, Legal Issues and Code of Conduct
      • Employment Patterns
        • New technology means a change in jobs - some lost, some new
        • Moral: Easier to spy on employees with technology?
        • Legal: Health and Safety - cover RSI, stress etc.
      • Intellectual  Property Rights
        • Refers to ideas that individual may have
          • A brand, invention, design etc.
        • Legal: Patents, Trademarks, Deisgns and Copyright
        • Moral: If created in company lab - is it the companies or the individuals property?
      • Disinformation
        • Legal: Deliberately misleading a customer by giving incorrect information
          • Trade Descriptions Act
        • Not fully informing clients about all the facts of a product
        • Moral: simplifying information about product details
      • Equity (Equality)
        • Poorer people may be disavantaged
        • Disability may limit use of technology
        • Moral: Less developed countries cannot keep up with technology leaving them further behind
        • Legal: Personal equity laws - discrimination
      • Privacy
        • Ability or wish to keep data or actions private
        • Legal - Data Protection Act requires personal infomration to be kept private
        • Moral - should email/internet usage be monitored?

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