rotornut
30th Mar 2006, 14:15
AIRLINES
WestJet lays down the law on staff conduct
Espionage is out; protecting data is in
BRENT JANG
globeandmail.com
Just in case there's any fragment of doubt, WestJet Airlines Ltd. is making it clear that hiring spies to snoop on Air Canada is out of bounds and carelessly throwing company secrets into the trash is tantamount to treason.
WestJet wants its employees to jealously guard internal data, amending its code of business conduct nearly two years after Air Canada accused the Calgary carrier of stealing sensitive information.
It's part of WestJet's broader goal to reassert itself as the honest and courteous airline instead of one that allegedly gained an unfair advantage by hacking into a confidential Air Canada website.
Although WestJet's main website states that its internal code of conduct won't be released to the public, the company filed the document for the first time yesterday with Canadian securities regulators.
In the 23-page code, there are motivational touches with slogans such as "We are Team WestJet," "WestJet's image is important to its success," and "We personify the hard-working 'can-do' attitude."
There are also stern passages, with WestJet telling its workers to "ensure that paper documents are securely shredded" and to diligently classify information under three categories -- "Internal, Confidential and Restricted."
WestJet's code tells workers to take the high road if they stumble across a rival's secrets, saying it's best to seek legal advice first from WestJet if someone from a competing airline, for whatever reason, volunteers to forward internal data.
Lest anyone go astray, WestJet spells out improper behaviours: "Corporate espionage actions, such as using listening devices, gaining access to buildings by subterfuge, buying information from competitors' employees, hacking employee computer systems, and the like."
The carrier wants its employees to be proud "WestJetters," warning against "misrepresenting oneself to gain access to competitor information; i.e., pretending to be a reporter or repairman."
A good rule of thumb? "Never deposit Restricted or Confidential in the trash or an insecure recycling bin," WestJet's code advises.
As for the nitty-gritty of labelling, WestJetters are supposed to methodically classify internal memos, letters and e-mails. Employees are asked to "attach a label to the document, using a header or footer, a stamp or add as part of a signature in an e-mail."
The company provides examples of its escalating security levels: Details on procedures for handling unruly guests (internal); quarterly financial results still being compiled (confidential); and marketing analysis of potential new routes (restricted).
"This includes information that could be used by competitors to their advantage. Competitors would like to learn as much as they can about us. If a competitor learned about WestJet's plans to enter a new market at a certain fare, it could harm WestJet by offering a lower fare on that route before we were ready to begin service."
Montreal-based Air Canada is suing WestJet for $220-million, alleging that the smaller carrier hacked into a confidential Air Canada reservations website and stole sensitive data. WestJet denies any wrongdoing and none of the allegations has been proved in court.
Two years ago, Air Canada hired private investigators to search WestJet co-founder Mark Hill's trash in the Victoria suburb of Oak Bay. Air Canada, which said in court filings that its internal papers were found shredded in his trash, later hired a U.S. firm to digitally reconstruct the documents.
The code offers a reminder that, besides protecting papers, employees must be careful with "spreadsheets, computer programs, e-mails, display screens, computer tapes, CDs and diskettes."
The carrier's renewed emphasis on corporate integrity extends to contractors and consultants, who are asked to join the drive to be "positive and passionate about everything we do."
Touting honesty as the best policy, WestJet outlines some danger signals that merit reporting to the airline's anonymous hotline: "Working late, you notice a fellow worker loading his or her car with WestJet equipment or parts" or "a fellow worker drinks during prohibition period or reports for duty unfit for work" or "someone you don't know, or who claims to be an executive or part of the Help Desk, calls you and asks for your password."
WestJet also strives to put its best foot forward with its own carefully crafted marketing strategy.
"It is extremely important that only persons designated by management communicate with the public. Undesignated employees must never provide information about WestJet to reporters or other media representatives."
WestJet lays down the law on staff conduct
Espionage is out; protecting data is in
BRENT JANG
globeandmail.com
Just in case there's any fragment of doubt, WestJet Airlines Ltd. is making it clear that hiring spies to snoop on Air Canada is out of bounds and carelessly throwing company secrets into the trash is tantamount to treason.
WestJet wants its employees to jealously guard internal data, amending its code of business conduct nearly two years after Air Canada accused the Calgary carrier of stealing sensitive information.
It's part of WestJet's broader goal to reassert itself as the honest and courteous airline instead of one that allegedly gained an unfair advantage by hacking into a confidential Air Canada website.
Although WestJet's main website states that its internal code of conduct won't be released to the public, the company filed the document for the first time yesterday with Canadian securities regulators.
In the 23-page code, there are motivational touches with slogans such as "We are Team WestJet," "WestJet's image is important to its success," and "We personify the hard-working 'can-do' attitude."
There are also stern passages, with WestJet telling its workers to "ensure that paper documents are securely shredded" and to diligently classify information under three categories -- "Internal, Confidential and Restricted."
WestJet's code tells workers to take the high road if they stumble across a rival's secrets, saying it's best to seek legal advice first from WestJet if someone from a competing airline, for whatever reason, volunteers to forward internal data.
Lest anyone go astray, WestJet spells out improper behaviours: "Corporate espionage actions, such as using listening devices, gaining access to buildings by subterfuge, buying information from competitors' employees, hacking employee computer systems, and the like."
The carrier wants its employees to be proud "WestJetters," warning against "misrepresenting oneself to gain access to competitor information; i.e., pretending to be a reporter or repairman."
A good rule of thumb? "Never deposit Restricted or Confidential in the trash or an insecure recycling bin," WestJet's code advises.
As for the nitty-gritty of labelling, WestJetters are supposed to methodically classify internal memos, letters and e-mails. Employees are asked to "attach a label to the document, using a header or footer, a stamp or add as part of a signature in an e-mail."
The company provides examples of its escalating security levels: Details on procedures for handling unruly guests (internal); quarterly financial results still being compiled (confidential); and marketing analysis of potential new routes (restricted).
"This includes information that could be used by competitors to their advantage. Competitors would like to learn as much as they can about us. If a competitor learned about WestJet's plans to enter a new market at a certain fare, it could harm WestJet by offering a lower fare on that route before we were ready to begin service."
Montreal-based Air Canada is suing WestJet for $220-million, alleging that the smaller carrier hacked into a confidential Air Canada reservations website and stole sensitive data. WestJet denies any wrongdoing and none of the allegations has been proved in court.
Two years ago, Air Canada hired private investigators to search WestJet co-founder Mark Hill's trash in the Victoria suburb of Oak Bay. Air Canada, which said in court filings that its internal papers were found shredded in his trash, later hired a U.S. firm to digitally reconstruct the documents.
The code offers a reminder that, besides protecting papers, employees must be careful with "spreadsheets, computer programs, e-mails, display screens, computer tapes, CDs and diskettes."
The carrier's renewed emphasis on corporate integrity extends to contractors and consultants, who are asked to join the drive to be "positive and passionate about everything we do."
Touting honesty as the best policy, WestJet outlines some danger signals that merit reporting to the airline's anonymous hotline: "Working late, you notice a fellow worker loading his or her car with WestJet equipment or parts" or "a fellow worker drinks during prohibition period or reports for duty unfit for work" or "someone you don't know, or who claims to be an executive or part of the Help Desk, calls you and asks for your password."
WestJet also strives to put its best foot forward with its own carefully crafted marketing strategy.
"It is extremely important that only persons designated by management communicate with the public. Undesignated employees must never provide information about WestJet to reporters or other media representatives."