When you go to work each day you probably don't give a lot of thought to your privacy rights. Most of us naturally assume when we are sitting at our desk, that we aren't being monitored. That may have been the case a decade ago, but more and more companies are putting provisions in place that allow them to keep an eye on what their employees are doing. Knowing your privacy rights in the workplace is incredibly important.
Email is one area where you may think you are enjoying some privacy but that's not always the case. Employers often monitor not only the emails that the employee receives but also those they are sending out. If the employer has grounds to believe that you are using company email for personal correspondence they may review your emails. This doesn't violate your privacy rights in the workplace as the company has a right to ensure you are tending to your work while in their offices. The same is true of your internet usage so stay focused while at work.
Video surveillance equipment can also be found in many office and work environments. There are many reasons why these are in place and again, it's not violating any privacy rights in the workplace. Employees sometimes help themselves to office stationary, paper clips or photocopies. Although it may seem harmless at the time, if many people are doing it, it can add up to a substantial amount of money. Video cameras also help to protect employees and encourage them to work harder. If you know your boss is watching you, chances are you are going to work extra hard.
There are places in the work environment where video cameras cannot be placed. The washrooms are one such place and if you do suspect you are being taped while in there, that is a direct violation of your privacy rights in the workplace and it should be reported as soon as possible.
In addition to that violation, there are others that all employees should be made aware of. One is that the company cannot share any of your personal information with outsiders. That means that if someone calls the company in search of your home address or telephone number and the company releases that, your privacy rights in the workplace have been violated. The same holds true of medical records. Many employers offer medical insurance coverage which means they are privy to very sensitive information. They can't share this with anyone.
Understanding your rights and responsibilities on the job makes for a more productive experience for everyone involved. If you feel your rights have been breached it's wise to seek legal counsel so you can understand all the options available to you.
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