Company Property & Information Systems

Cousins Subs provides all employees with the necessary technological equipment, so they can efficiently and effectively perform the duties of their job. Upon issuance of the equipment Cousins Subs has a reasonable expectation that the employee will properly use and care for the equipment. 

Individuals that receive portable equipment such as tablets/laptops and printers must be especially careful to treat the equipment with respect. While built to be portable and sturdy, they are still delicate and must be handled appropriately. 

Proper use and care of computer equipment includes ensuring that only the employee is using the equipment. Company-issued tablets/laptops, computers, printers, mobile phones and other devices are not to be used by anyone but the employee.

Upon separation of employment with Cousins Subs, you will be responsible for returning all company-issued equipment, including but not limited to, tablets/laptops, printers, cell-phones and storage devices. All equipment must be returned in acceptable working condition, without visible or internal damage. You are responsible for costs associated with not returning company equipment and failure to return all company-issued equipment may result in payroll deductions from your final paycheck.

Employees of Cousins Subs may be subject to monitoring to ensure that the electronic communications systems such as voice mail, email, the Internet, computer equipment and files are used exclusively for company business and not in a way that is disruptive, offensive to others, or harmful to Cousins Subs Cousins Subs maintains these systems and therefore all software and hardware is company property. 

Additionally, all files and messages created, composed, sent or received on these systems are Cousins Subs’ property. Messages and files are not the private property of any employee and employees have no right or expectation of privacy in messages or files. 

The electronic communications systems are not to be used to create, send, receive, view or display any message or files which reasonably may be construed as offensive, disruptive or harmful. Offensive, disruptive, or harmful messages and files include but are not limited to any messages or files which contain pornographic images, sexual implications, racial slurs, gender-specific comments, other comments that offensively addresses someone’s age, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, national origin, or disability. 

Any comment which in any way defames another person, or any comment intended to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, annoy or harass another person is unacceptable. In the event an employee receives or views an offensive, disruptive or harmful message the procedures outlined in Cousins Subs’ harassment policy will be followed.

The electronic communications systems are not to be used to copy, send, or receive copyrighted materials, trade secrets, proprietary financial information, or similar materials without prior authorization. 

These systems must not be used in ways that conflict with the Company’s Confidentiality and Security policies. Cousins Subs expressly reserves the right to monitor communications and activities. The company also reserves the right to access business-related information and materials including but not limited to the purpose of training, quality control, security, performance management or marketing research. 

Employees should not expect a right to personal privacy with respect to their email or voice mail or the contents of their work areas. Passwords are designed to minimize unauthorized access only and do not guarantee privacy. Workplace documents and communications are business records subject to possible review by Cousins Subs as well as outside parties, at the discretion of the Leadership Team. 

Notwithstanding Cousins Subs’ right to view, retrieve and read any electronic messages or files, such messages or files should be treated as confidential by other employees and accessed only by the intended recipient. Employees should not attempt to gain access to another employee’s electronic messages or files without express permission.

The contents of electronic communications properly obtained for legitimate business needs may be disclosed within the company to those with a legitimate need to know or to law enforcement officials without the permission of an employee. 

Occasionally, personal use of the company’s information systems is permissible provided it does not consume more than a trivial amount of resources, interfere with staff productivity, or preempt any business activity. You must use caution and discretion so that personal correspondence does not appear to be an official communication from the Company. Personal use of information systems should not be conducted during normal business hours. To do so suggests a performance issue that will be addressed by the employee’s manager. Sound judgment must be employed to avoid any suggestion of a misapplication of the company’s information systems resources. 

Any software or files downloaded via the Internet into the company network become the property of Cousins Subs. Any such files must be used only in ways that are consistent with their licensing agreements or copyrights and must pertain only to direct business use. No employee may use the company’s facilities to download or distribute pirated software or data. Employees must also not download images or video unless there is an express business-related use for the material. Finally, employees may not upload any software or data licensed or owned by Cousins Subs without authorization. Any file that is downloaded, either through the Internet or email, must be scanned for viruses before it is accessed. This also includes media that have been used on non-company owned computers. Please have the IT department scan them for viruses.  

Proper use and care of equipment includes only using the software and programs that have been installed on your computer by a member of the IT department. You are not allowed to download software on your computer including any games, applications for your personal use or applications that you believe may be beneficial for your work duties. If you wish to have software downloaded on your computer, you need to obtain approval from your manager and the Director of IT. 

Cousins Subs licenses the use of computer software from a variety of outside companies. Therefore, Cousins Subs does not own this software or related documentation and does not have the right to reproduce it unless expressly authorized. Employees are not allowed to make, acquire or use unauthorized copies of software and Cousins Subs does not condone the illegal duplication of software. Employees are to use the software only in accordance with the license agreement and misuse of software is not permitted. 

Violations of the policy will be considered a performance issue and may provide a basis for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.