Housekeeping
Company property and acceptable use
Governs what you may do with company devices, accounts and networks, and usually states that they may be monitored and must be returned.
Where to find it
The handbook or IT policy, often acknowledged separately at onboarding.
Search your document for: acceptable use company property company systems monitoring equipment
Which version do you have?
Wording paraphrased for teaching. Yours will differ; the shape is what matters.
Usually fine
“Company equipment is provided for business purposes. Incidental personal use is permitted.”
Ordinary. 'Incidental personal use' means checking your bank, not running another job. Keep the device to that employer's work.
Needs a question
“Company systems may be monitored, and all data stored on Company equipment is Company property.”
Also ordinary, and the reason nothing belonging to another employer should ever touch this machine. Everything on it is theirs by definition.
Ask this before you sign
- Will equipment be supplied?
- What is the return process when employment ends?
What this clause means when you hold two roles
Reading the clause is one thing; knowing how it interacts with a second employer's agreement, where it sits in the self-audit, and what to do when two contracts disagree is the part that takes the work. That analysis, the agreement-review worksheet and the searchable library live in the course.
More in Housekeeping
- Policies incorporated by referencePulls the handbook and other policies into your contract, and often allows the company to change them later without renegotiating with you.
- Notice period and garden leaveSets how much notice each side must give, and whether the company can require you to stay away while still employed.
Generic wording written for teaching, not copied from any real agreement. Employment law varies by country and state. This is not legal advice — see the disclaimer.