OT: legal ? - privacy in the workplace

[NineMinuteNap]

Is it legal for an employer to search through an employee's emails and/or online chat session transcripts?

 

It was my understanding that they had the right to monitor company computers/phone calls, etc. but only if they had a written privacy policy in place before the search. When I tried to find some documentation to back up that idea, I didn't have any luck. As far as I can tell, the employer has the upper hand in that kind of situation and can look through whatever they want whenever they want.

 

How (if at all) do the rules change for people who telecommute and do work for the company from their personal home PC's?

[gazman]

Depends what country your in.

 

Australia/America/Europe/etc.

 

But basically, assume everything is monitored...always.

[y-o-y]

I work from home but use company equipment (PC mainly). it is explicitly stated in our IT policy manual that the company reserves the right to monitor communications transmitted via their equipment (email, IM, etc.). additionally, non-business use of company equipment (like internet discussion forums) is prohibited by stated IT policy.

 

i have no idea how such law/policies would pertain to conducting business from personal property, like your PC.

[Bluescout]

I would assume that if they own the machine, they own whatever is in it.

[SoundwaveLove]

I jsut heard an interview on the radio about this. Apprently half of the backround check the FBI now does is for corporations and is NOT crime related. ALl while a large portion of their crime work goes undone.

[Thumper]

Short version:

 

If you're using company equipment, the company has the right to monitor everything you do on the computer. Likewise if you access the company server from a home computer.

 

It's a good idea to check with the HR people on computer use before finding yourself in a difficult situation. I'm a teacher, and every year a colleague (or two) commits a professional crash and burn for doing something stupid on company time.