Electronic Surveillance of Employees

January 22, 2011

Professor Theresa Dike

LEG 500

Assignment # 1

Electronic Surveillance of Employees

Electronic Surveillance of Employees

Abstract

This paper consists of my thought and opinions along with additional information on where an employee can reasonably expect to have privacy in the workplace. I will speak on whether there is a difference with what type of scenario you are in, an open area versus an enclosed area. Privacy is very crucial in working environments especially to the employee. How far should an employer engage in surveillance the employee and to what extent can the employer go before it’s considered illegal.

Explain where an employee can reasonably expect to have privacy in the workplace.

Typically employees should have privacy when it comes to their personal lives and their salaries. In my experience employees try to make friends within their workplace. Once an employee feels comfortable around their co-work they tend to speak on their personal lives. Once you have confided in your co-worker your privacy is automatically violated because you have provided your personal information in the company. I believe that the only way an employee can reasonably expect privacy in the workplace is they do not use the company phone for personal use, don’t use the company computer to pay personal bills or check personal emails. Don’t use your company email for personal use and most important leave your personal business or problem to yourself and discuss it with those you don’t work for and with you.

In the office workplace there are typically two types of workspaces, an open area, in which there are several desks and where conversations can be overhead, or an enclosed office, in which—when the door is closed—conversations cannot be heard and where one would expect virtually total privacy. Explain whether it makes a difference if an employee is in an open area or in an enclosed office.

Granted working in an enclosed...