Like internet use your program needs to inform its people about the type of behavior it expects of those using email in the workplace and about the consequences for abusing email. Considerations here could equally apply to instant messaging.

Areas to Consider

Privacy: What is an employee's expectation of privacy with their email account? Most policies affirmatively state that all data on program systems is property of program and subject to management and board access. However, some also prohibit non-authorized staff from reading others' emails without permission of owner.

Personal Use: Same considerations as internet use.

Prohibited Use: Most of the same considerations as internet use. Many policies draw parallels to written paper communication and prohibit staff from doing anything in email that that they wouldn't be allowed to do in written paper form.

Etiquette: Policies ask employees to reply promptly and be aware of the communication limitations of this electronic media (i.e. humor and sarcasm don't translate well).