UF, Shands sometimes review workers' e-mail use

If you think no one is paying attention to the e-mails you write and the Web sites you browse while at work, think again.According to a survey released this week, nearly one in three American companies has fired an employee for violating e-mail policy in the past year.The survey, conducted by Forrester Consulting, generally found that employees who sent e-mails containing confidential information about the organization or obscene or offensive e-mails were disciplined or fired.And although a reported 80 percent of U.S. companies have a written policy covering e-mails, the study found that violations are frequent.At Gainesville's largest employers, like the University of Florida and Shands HealthCare, electronic resources such as e-mail and Internet browsing are usually subject to periodic review.The issue at UF is more about misusing company time than content, said UF human resources Vice President Kyle Cavanaugh. With more than 20,000 employees, the university has its occasional incide...