At this time, desktop-onsite-access to the Internet is provided to employees when there is a necessity, and the access has been specifically approved. VALHADEN (hereinafter referred to as “VHN”) has provided access to the Internet for authorized users to support its mission. No Internet use should conflict with the primary purpose of VHN, its ethical responsibilities, or applicable laws and regulations. Each user is personally responsible to ensure that these guidelines are followed. Serious repercussions, including termination, may result if the guidelines are not followed. VHN may monitor the usage of the Internet by employees, including reviewing a list of sites accessed by an individual. No individual should have any expectation of privacy in terms of their usage of the Internet. In addition, VHN may restrict access to certain sites deemed unnecessary for business purposes. 

VHN's connection to the Internet may not be used for any of the following activities:

• The Internet must not be used to access, create, transmit, print, or download material that is derogatory, defamatory, obscene, or offensive, such as slurs, epithets, or anything that may be construed as harassment or disparagement based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, or religious or political beliefs.

• The Internet must not be used to access, send, receive, or solicit sexually-oriented messages or images.

• Downloading or disseminating of copyrighted material available on the Internet is an infringement of copyright law. Permission to copy the material must be obtained from the publisher.

• Without prior approval of your direct supervisor, software should not be downloaded from the Internet as the download could introduce a computer virus onto VHN's computer equipment. In addition, copyright laws may cover the software, so the downloading could be an infringement of copyright law.

• Employees should safeguard against using the Internet to transmit personal comments or statements through email or to post information to newsgroups that may be mistaken as the position of VHN.

• Employees should guard against the disclosure of confidential information through the use of Internet e-mail or newsgroups.

• Employees should not download personal e-mail or Instant Messaging software to VHN computers.

• The Internet should not be used to send or participate in chain letters, pyramid schemes, or other illegal schemes.

• The Internet should not be used to solicit or proselytize others for commercial purposes, causes, outside organizations, chain messages, or other non-job-related purposes.

• The Internet should not be used to endorse political candidates or campaigns. The Internet provides access to many sites that charge a subscription or usage fee to access and use the information on the site. Requests for approval must be submitted to your supervisor. Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions regarding any of the policy guidelines listed above.