As more and more companies learn the value of introducing access to the Internet in the workplace, it's important for those in charge to put in place a written policy about use of the network.

Not having a list of guidelines has led to unwanted conflicts and tensions which could have been avoided in the first place. After all, the Internet is still a new concept to most people, although the public network has been around for a relatively long time. Employees may be just as confused as their supervisors about what's appropriate and what's not.

Since many people don't have it at home they'll naturally want to explore what it has to offer when it becomes available at work. The learning curve begins.

At first a few will tentatively take to it, and they'll sit before The Machine at all hours. Slowly others will begin to join them.

But usually that burst of fascination dies down after a while as people become comfortable with the concept of a vast, convenient, and interesting electronic library. Many people then begin using it selectively, rather than continuing with an obsessive random clicking. Some don't and you'll still find them glued to the Internet years later. Better tell them to get connected at home, even though they'll still come in bleary eyed in the morning.

What are they doing? As a resource for every type of information on almost every subject, the Internet has certainly grown up in the three years, when it was typical to find "site under construction'' notices.

People have fun connecting with sites containing information on their interests and hobbies. Then there are the game and adult sites. Of course, that's not what a business wants its employees to do. But the line between work and play can be blurry on the Internet.

There is no need to get uptight. Companies must beware of implementing draconian rules which stifle that burst of exploration. Encouraging employees to explore the Internet -- e-mail and the World Wide Web -- is a form of self-training in networks, communications, and research. There are a vast number of sites for people to connect with others in their profession and line of business.

And once the knowledge is there among the staff who take to the technology, the company will be able to use that in house expertise to discover ways of doing business on the Internet. At the very least employees could use the Internet to find the information they need to do their jobs better.

Of course this is the optimistic picture. The pessimistic picture is typified by the example of the Michigan-based Electronic Data Systems administrator who was fired after making 15,000 visits to the same adult web site in one month while at work, despite being warned.

That example is cited in a survey of 200 companies by PC World magazine. The survey shows executives have adopted a wide-ranging response to employee use of the Internet. According to the survey one in five firms has disciplined employees for improper Internet use, mainly for visiting pornographic sites.

Discipline ranged from taking away surfing privileges to firing. The report at pcworld.com/nov97/watched is entitled "You are being Watched'' and serves as fair warning to employees who walk on the wild side while pretending to work.

The survey found 54 percent of business had a written policy on employee privacy, while 51 percent have written guidelines about Internet usage while at work.

One third of those surveyed said their companies monitor net usage. Alarmingly 14 percent of those companies had not told their employees they were being monitored. About 58 percent of the companies monitored Internet use to crack down on recreational use, 47 percent did so to stop downloads of unauthorised software, and 33 percent wanted to maintain fast Internet access.

Of those companies which didn't monitor employees, one third felt the employees' right to privacy took precedence over the company's need to protect its resources.

The magazine advises employers to create a policy prohibiting viewing adult or other controversial sites, copyright infringement, and all unlawful and offensive communications. Employers should also warn employees if they are being monitored, and consider letting employees surf the web on their own time.

The onus is also on the employee to follow the guidelines, and to never discuss confidential or personal matters using the company's e-mail system.

The Internet at work is a business tool. We can use it wisely and have fun.

The article is in the November issue of the magazine, and as is increasing typical of the connected age has appeared on the Internet before the edition hits US newsstands on October 21. So don't rush out to try and buy it yet.

*** Tech Tattle is a weekly column which focuses on technological developments and computer industry issues. If you have any ideas for topics or a business you would like to discuss, call Ahmed ElAmin at 295-5881, ext. 241 or at home 238-3854.