SFA issues internet abuse warning

The Small Firms Association (SFA) has warned that businesses are facing a growing problem over e-mail and internet abuse by employees and that many companies will face future legal action if they fail to have adequate safeguards in place to protect their staff.

Assistant director Patricia Callan said: "The duty of care rests with the employer to protect their staff and customers from receiving information which they may find objectionable. The growing propensity of e-mail and internet abuse across society generally, is now finding expression in the workplace. Such abuse places a significant duty of care on employers and is costing Irish business hundreds of millions a year in productivity alone."