Internet and Electronic Resources Usage

As a growing organization, the Company recognizes the importance of modern technology, which is one reason employees are provided access to the internet.

The internet is intended for business use only. Use of the internet for any non-business purpose, including personal communication or solicitation, purchasing personal goods or services, gambling, and downloading files for personal use, is strictly prohibited.

The Company's electronic resources may not be used for solicitation purposes during working time. The Company's no-solicitation rule applies fully to the use of electronic resources.

This policy describes the Company's general expectations for the use of its electronic resources, including email, voice mail, internet access, and computer systems.

Employees should use the Company's electronic resources with the understanding that these resources are provided for the benefit of the Company's business. Electronic resources should not be used for personal purposes in any manner that interferes with an employee's work duties or with responsibilities to patients.

The Company's policies against sexual and other forms of harassment apply fully to internet use, including the use of instant messaging applications. Violations are not permitted and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Employees may not transmit or receive sexually explicit messages, ethnic slurs, racial epithets, or any other content that could reasonably be considered harassing or disparaging. Sending, saving, accessing, or viewing obscene or otherwise offensive material on the Company's electronic resources is prohibited. Messages stored or transmitted on the Company's electronic resources, including computers, voice mail, email, and the telephone system, must not contain content that could reasonably be considered obscene or patently offensive. Prohibited content includes, but is not limited to, sexual comments, jokes, or images, racial slurs, gender-specific comments, and any other content that would discriminate against or harass any person on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any use of the internet, email, or other electronic resource to engage in unlawful harassment or discrimination is strictly prohibited. Violators may be subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

Unless clearly indicated otherwise, all software available on the internet should be considered copyrighted material. Employees may not download software or modify any such files without permission from the copyright owner.

Consistent with the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act and other applicable law, the time spent on the internet may be tracked through activity logs for business purposes. Any abnormal usage will be investigated. Any employee who learns of misuse of the internet should notify a member of management. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.