Rashad Watkins
Bus 352
Stratford University
11/1/11

How much privacy can your employees expect at work? Today, it's possible for companies to monitor every aspect of what employees do in the office, from email and surfing the Internet to phone conversations. But when are you crossing the line? There are specific laws, rules, and regulations granting certain employee privacy rights. For example, there are laws that create a right to privacy for employee personnel records, medical information, and background screenings. But what about cases in which no specific law creates a right to privacy? Does one exist anyway? The answer is maybe. If no law or regulation exists, whether there is a right to privacy is determined by referring to the "reasonable expectation of privacy." If, under the circumstances, it was reasonable for the employee to expect certain conduct or communications would be considered private, then the courts might deem that a right of privacy existed. Suppose an employer searches an employee's office or cubicle, working files, or locker. Was it reasonable for the employee to believe that his or her office or cubicle is a private area that the employer cannot search without permission? What if the employer's Employee Handbook states: "The Company reserves the right to access and search all offices and work areas on company property, including but not limited to locked and unlocked desks, file cabinets, files and lockers, without prior notice, for business-related reasons as determined in its sole discretion. Employees have no expectation of privacy in this regard." Would that policy make a difference? How much privacy can your employees expect at work? Today, it's possible for companies to monitor every aspect of what employees do in the office, from email and surfing the Internet to