Reference no: EM132809042
What is the employee's expectation of privacy on the internet?
Employees' use of email, the Internet, and smartphones for personal use has become an area of concern for employers. Employees may use the Internet to send inappropriate photos, messages, or just to cyberslacking (goof off on the computer). When these cases go to court, employees often argue that they have a right to privacy in their online messages.
The general rule is that where the company owns the equipment, the employee has no right to privacy, and the company may search, monitor, and obtain any work produced on the equipment.
Recent cases involved actions by employees outside of the workplace. Many people have Facebook pages which they use for posting pictures and personal information.
Example - a police officer in Orange Park, Florida, was suspended after posting a picture of himself with a few friends drinking beer while standing by his squad car.
Companies are using information that is posted on the internet when making hiring and selection decisions.
Should an employee have an expectation of privacy in personal websites such as Facebook and LinkedIn?