Student Handbook

Email

All messages distributed via the company’s email system, even personal emails, are the Company’s property. You must have no expectation of privacy in anything that you create, store, send or receive on the company’s email system. Your emails can be monitored without prior notification if MakeUK deems this necessary.

It is strictly prohibited to:

• Send or forward emails which could be considered to be libellous, defamatory, offensive, racist, sexist, homophobic, pornographic or in any other way abusive or discriminatory. If you receive an e-mail of this nature, you must promptly notify your assessor / supervisor. The basic rule is that anything unacceptable as normal behaviour in a working environment or unacceptable were it written down or said over the phone is unacceptable in an IT environment.

• Do not open attachments to emails unless these are from a verified or trusted source. Any system is vulnerable to virus attacks and opening email attachments is one of the easiest ways of spreading viruses. Do not open any “.exe” attachments without the express permission of a supervisor or IT support officer.

• Forward a message or copy a message or attachment belonging to another user without acquiring permission from the originator first.

• Send unsolicited email messages or junk / chain mail.

• Forge or attempt to forge email messages, or disguise or attempt to disguise your identity when sending mail.

Duty of care

Users must take the same care in drafting an email as they would for any other communication. Confidential information should not be sent via email – regard an email as a “postcard” its content cannot be guaranteed to be viewed only by the intended recipient.

Personal usage

The company’s email system is a business tool and should be used for business purposes – the company does not allow personal use.

 Internet

Access to the Internet is only to be undertaken under the direction and supervision of a member of MAKEUK staff. The Internet is a business tool and should be used for business purposes – the company does not allow personal use.

However, you may use the Internet for the following purposes:

• To investigate and research subjects related to your training programme and assist in your social and personal development e.g. job search, employment information, research on company prior to interview.

• To investigate careers, Further and Higher education.

• Under direction, the development of competence in ICT skills and general research skills.

Activities, which are not permitted, include:

• Searching, viewing or retrieving materials that are not related to the aims of your training programme or future career.

• Accessing inappropriate websites whose content is found to be libellous, defamatory, offensive, racist, sexist, homophobic, pornographic or in any other way abusive or discriminatory.

• Copying, saving or redistributing copyright‑protected material, without approval.

• Subscribing to any services or ordering any goods or services, unless specifically approved.

• Playing computer games or using other interactive `chat' sites.

• Using the network in such a way that use of the network by other users is disrupted.

• Publishing, sharing or distributing any personal information about a user (such as: home address; email address; phone number, etc.)

• Downloading unauthorised software including screensavers, wallpaper etc.

• Use of proxy servers.

General Use

When using any IT equipment, making use of any program including the use of Email & Internet, all users are expected to comply with all laws and regulations concerning Health & Safety, Copyright, Libel, Fraud, Discrimination and Obscenity and are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with the rules of behaviour governing employees/learners.

It is strictly prohibited to:

• Change any settings, add or remove programs – including screensavers etc.

• Use another user's password.

• Trespass in another user's folders, work or files.

• Retrieve, send, copy or display offensives messages or pictures.

• Use obscene or racist language, harass, insult or attack others.

• Damage computers, computer systems or computer networks including the knowing transmission of viruses.

• Violate copyright laws.

• Use the facilities for commercial purposes.

Learners are responsible for their behaviour on the company IT system just as they are on and off our premises.  While the use of information and communication technologies is an integral part of working life, access to the Intranet / Internet is a privilege ‑ not a right. It will be given to learners who act in a considerate and responsible manner, and may be withdrawn if they fail to maintain acceptable standards of use.