The State Chamber of Commerce of NSW has completed a survey of its membership base to get an understanding of e-mail and Internet monitoring policies currently being used by companies.
A spokesperson from the Chamber of Commerce was unable to confirm when the survey results would be available, but said the chamber has 4000 direct members and 70,000 indirect members in NSW.
"The survey was sent to the members human resource managers to get an idea of their Internet and e-mail policies. While I haven't yet seen the response rate, we will use the findings to look at whether companies are on top of emerging issues relating to e-mail and the Internet," she said.
The survey findings could also identify industrial relations concerns in the area of future litigation and productivity problems with staff who have Internet access, the spokesperson said.
It will also provide a benchmark to establish what is fair and reasonable in e-mail usage policies.
"We want to see if organisations are on top of these issues. If not, then we will provide more education through seminars and inform the government if more support is necessary. The survey findings might also uncover a need to update legislation; for example what is considered appropriate behaviour if staff leave to work for a competitor and how their e-mail should be managed during the notice period after employment is terminated."