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Privacy In The Workplace

Privacy in the Workplace
In today's society, employers and employees are often subject to privacy laws. However, whether or not privacy is protected by law or contract, respecting privacy in the workplace makes good business sense. We will discuss the issues that are raised in today's workplace concerning privacy issues and some of the repercussions. .
What privacy issues are addressed in today's workplace?
Because employers need basic information about their employees and employees have access too many of their employer's personal and customer based files, therefore privacy rights in the workplace must be addressed. Some of the major privacy rights issues addressed at many companies are:
• Psychological Tests
• Web-browsing records
• Video surveillance (video and audio tapes)
• Keystroke Monitoring
• Salaries and Benefits records
• Formal and informal personnel files
• Electronic mail
Practices like the ones outlined above are very common in today's workplace. However, employees still have legal means to assert their rights. Employees may also have enforceable rights to privacy under collective agreements. This the employee handbook should address these agreements.
Good privacy practice is not just about avoiding complaints, grievances, or lawsuits. Whether or not privacy is protected by law or contract, fostering a workplace culture where privacy is valued and respected contributes to morale and mutual trust, and makes good business sense.
B. What should the company's position be in response to privacy rights issues?
When an employer states a policy regarding any issue in the workplace, including privacy issues, that policy is legally binding. Policies can be communicated in various ways: through employee handbooks, via memos, and in union contracts. For example, if an employer explicitly states that employees will be notified when telephone monitoring takes place, the employer generally must honor that policy. There are usually exceptions for...