All information on the Methodist McKinney Hospital intranet and Preferred Physician Network is the company’s property. The appropriate department must approve initiation of intranet pages and modifications to pages. Generally, the process is initiated through the information technology (IT) department.

All employees who use the intranet are required to follow this policy, all other relevant company policies (e.g., harassment, nonsolicitation, and respect for dignity), and all applicable laws (e.g., copyright, discrimination).

Employees assume all responsibility for their accounts. Passwords or access codes must not be shared with others. Employees may only use data, software programs, e-mail, or computer facilities for which they have authorization and for an authorized company purpose. Employees may not conceal their identity in any electronic communication.

If an employee suspects that someone may have discovered or guessed his or her password, contact the systems administrator to change it immediately. The intranet must not be used to communicate confidential information. Do not post confidential information on any intranet page.

The intranet must be used only for company-related business and not for other commercial purposes. For example, employees may not post unauthorized advertisements for products, services, charities, or meetings. Employees may not post “chain letters” and may not use the intranet connection to run a business. Any use of the intranet to facilitate illegal activity, such as gambling, is prohibited.

At times, employees may use the e-mail account to send an occasional personal e-mail, but such use is to be kept to a minimum. Further, the company will not forward such personal e-mail when you leave.

Employees may only post company-owned information, or information that is legally permissible to copy and distribute, on printed and/or electronic media.

Employees shall not seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users except as authorized. They may not misrepresent other users on the network. Employees may not circumvent login procedures on any computer system.

The disruption or misuse of company communications, hardware, or software; the harassment of intranet users; and the unauthorized access to communications or facilities are prohibited. For example, activities such as “spamming” the network (randomly sending e-mail messages to large numbers of recipients) or sending “e-mail bombs” (overloading addresses with e-mail messages) is strictly prohibited. Similarly, use of the intranet to develop programs that harass or stalk others is prohibited. Use of the intranet to infiltrate a computer system and/or damage the software components of a computer system is prohibited.

All intranet information must be written in courteous, respectful, and professional language. Use of discriminatory, insulting, abusive, threatening, offensive, disrespectful, demeaning, or sexually suggestive language is prohibited. Similarly, accessing or storing discriminatory, derogatory, racial, or sexually oriented material is prohibited.

All material(s) placed on the intranet must conform to the company’s graphic standards policy. For example, all intranet pages must include the company name at the top of the page and a link to the company’s home page.

All pages must be accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. All intranet pages must have a link to the disclaimer page, along with the electronic mail address of the person(s) responsible for maintaining that particular page. The intranet editor shall maintain the disclaimer page.

When the intranet is used for collaborative work, employees must use the company standard word-processing software to edit, read, and circulate the document.

The systems administrator may examine usage, e-mails, Web pages, hard drives, files, and any other facilities in order to diagnose or solve problems or investigate possible violation of company policy. The systems administrator may examine, edit, and/or remove any material that, in the company’s judgment, violates company policies. By using the intranet, employees consent to review of their use of the intranet. Employees should not have any expectation of privacy with respect to their use of the intranet. All intranet conferences and bulletin boards may be monitored.

If any investigation of intranet use reveals possible evidence of criminal, illegal, or other prohibited activity, system personnel may provide the results to law enforcement officials.

Employees are expected to report any violations of this policy. Employees who believe they have been harassed or otherwise discriminated against should report such complaints to the Human Resources Department . Reports of violations will be investigated. Employees are expected to cooperate with the investigation. False information provided in the course of an investigation may lead to discipline, including discharge.

Employees who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of credentials, discharge and possible civil or criminal action.