Yes you can. You can prevent employees from using business equipment for personal use. You can allow access to certain websites that are work related, if you want to, or allow employees wider access outside of working hours and during their lunch break. You can also restrict what employees do with mobile phones and laptops and any other equipment you issue. Do remember that in some industries use of professional networking sites is accepted and encouraged, so make sure you clearly define what is and isn't acceptable. Do I need an internet and email use policy? Yes you do. If you have a policy you can make clear what is and isn't tolerated and what the consequences are if there is a breach of the policy. If you apply such a policy and the employee doesn't follow it, you can take action and, if necessary, discipline the individual in question. Make sure that your policy is clear about which websites are not acceptable (such as pornography) and that harassment will not be tolerated. Outline exactly when employees can use the internet for non-work related purposes (and say what you mean by this). If you have to discipline an employee, ensure you also follow your disciplinary policy and take into account the Acas code of practice on disciplinary procedures).If you have a policy, it makes things clear and easy for everyone to understand and follow.
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