IT Acceptable Use Policy template
Use of company IT systems, devices, internet, email, and data: with monitoring notice.
- Electronic Communications Privacy Act 1986 (with employer-monitoring exceptions)
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
- state computer-crime / monitoring statutes (e.g. CT, DE, NY notice requirements)
What the policy covers
- SCOPECovers all use of your company IT systems, networks, devices, accounts, software, and data: including BYOD where used for company purposes.
- PERMITTED USECompany IT is provided for business purposes.
- PROHIBITED USEAccessing, storing, or distributing illegal, obscene, harassing, or discriminatory content
- EMAIL AND MESSAGINGCompany email is a business record.
- SECURITYUse strong, unique passwords; enable MFA where offered
- MONITORING NOTICEEmployees have no reasonable expectation of privacy in their use of company IT systems.
- DATA OWNERSHIPAll data created or stored using company systems is the property of your company.
- CONSEQUENCESViolations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination, and may be reported to law enforcement where criminal conduct is suspected.
Who needs it
Any employer running schedule, leave and the day-to-day of employing people. These set out the rules once so nobody argues about them twice.
Questions people ask
Is a it acceptable use policy a legal requirement?
It rests on Electronic Communications Privacy Act 1986 (with employer-monitoring exceptions) and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and state computer-crime / monitoring statutes (e.g. CT, DE, NY notice requirements). Some policies must be written down once a business reaches a certain size or does certain work; others are simply how a tribunal, an inspector or an auditor expects to see that you have thought about it. A clear, dated, signed policy is the evidence either way. Guidance, not legal advice.
Can I change it to suit how we work?
Yes. Inside Work-Lynx it is a starting point: put your company name in, adjust the arrangements to what you actually do, set the review date and publish it. Staff read and acknowledge it on their phones, and you can see who has not.
Is it up to date?
Last reviewed April 2026. The pack is updated when the law moves, and every policy carries a review date so it does not quietly go stale.
How do I get it?
It is preloaded in Work-Lynx with the other 28 policies for the US. Work-Lynx is $3 plus $1.25 per employee, 14 days free, no card, and what you see on the pricing page is the bill.
Who is it for?
Any employer running schedule, leave and the day-to-day of employing people. These set out the rules once so nobody argues about them twice.
All 29 US policies, $3 a month
This policy and 28 others are already in Work-Lynx, alongside GPS clock-in, schedules, timesheets, PTO and an employment-question advisor. $3 base plus $1.25 per employee a month. 14 days free, no card, no sales call.
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