Privacy in the Workplace Essay - 2057 Words

Privacy. There seems to be no legal issue today that cuts so wide a swath through conflicts confronting American society: from AIDS tests to wiretaps, polygraph test to computerized data bases, the common denominator has been whether the right to privacy outweighs other concerns of society†¦ This quote from Robert Ellis Smith explains, in one sentence, the absolute need to ensure privacy in the workplace. One of the most interesting, yet controversial, areas concerning public personnel is employee privacy. What limits are there to employers’ intrusions into, and control over, employees’ behaviors and personal properties? There are five major areas which trigger privacy matters in the area of public sector employment: background†¦show more content†¦Privacy also hinges on a respect for a persons inherent dignity. An employee can claim a protection of his reputation and sense of self-worth against defamation, discrimination, or personal abuse. A person also has the right to maintain his personal beliefs and convictions against coercion and manipulation. Applied to the environment of public employment, this conception would prohibit any employer from harassing individuals on the basis of their class or status, or their personal characteristics. It would prohibit employers from shaming employees and causing emotional distress in the process. It would prohibit an employer from breaching the confidentiality of an employees record or publicizing closed hearings concerning the employee. This is one area where an employees privacy interests may be violated in a technological environment by fellow emp loyees who may use bulletin boards to post embarrassing information or defamatory messages to be read by others. This conception of privacy can also be extended to a claim against pervasive intrusion by employers into employees work activities. An employee may feel constant camera surveillance, monitoring of phone calls and computer use, and an accounting for every minute of duty time reflects an omnipresent, oppressive employer, who exhibits little trust and littleShow MoreRelatedPrivacy in the Workplace1140 Words   |  5 PagesExplain where an employee can reasonably expect to have privacy in the workplace. Privacy in the workplace is very hard to get. Advancements in technology have been made that allow companies to monitor every aspect of an employee use of their systems. This is very evident if you have a job that involves you to be on the telephones. Companies are able to listen to each phone that is made, see every website that you have visited and read any email you have received. For example, I used to workRead MoreEssay on Privacy in the Workplace2455 Words   |  10 PagesPrivacy in the Workplace Introduction Technology has developed in leaps and bounds over the past few decades. 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In addition, He also pointed that The problem of employee privacy and productivity becomes more significant as the boundaries between formal and informalRead MoreRecommendation Report : Workplace Privacy Essay717 Words   |  3 PagesDixon Subject: Recommendation Report – Workplace privacy Date: March 2nd, 2015 The purpose of this memo is to present my research and recommendations regarding workplace privacy and the monitoring of current, and new employees’ and their use of company owned equipment at work. Summary Employee privacy and the rights of employers are often debated, but to reduce an employee’s confusion and to ease the company’s potential liability, a thorough workplace policy should be in place for employees