Can employers legally monitor employees e-mail and Internet time during office hours and explain your feelings

Question

I need help with this. I am researching this question.

Answer 1

This doesn't require an "explain your feelings" answer.

Yes, employers can and do monitor communications and telephone use. My emails from my company have a default message on the bottom saying that communications are public knowledge. No one is entitled to privacy at work while using company equipment. Big Brother is definately watching you!

Answer 2

Legally, yes an employer can monitor any employee's usage of a computer, e-mail and Internet. The business owns the computer and network and it's for business purposes. legally, an employee can use, say, e-mail for personal purposes so long as it is not an "abuse". But the company is entitled too and also ultimately responsible for what the computers are used for.

Most larger companies only randomly check Internet usage. Checking everything is too time consuming and it's "spying" which employees don't like i.e. Big Brother. Random checks keep most employees honest.

-- Liam

Answer 3

Yes, they can. This is just one more case of management controlling the workforce and the working environment. What you do on you job time is supposed to be productive for the company. It is common knowledge that e-mails are "forever" and are not private any more.

I really don't like this. I think this give the management too much power over the employee in terms of communications and even monitoring their productivity.

Answer 4

This is a loaded question .... according to federal regulations your mail cannot be looked at ... the problem with this is that it is vague ... it is open to interpretation. As a former IT tech I can tell you this. Companies do have to worry about federal violation by going into your email. However what most companies do is put a disclaimer in the contract you sigh to go to work making it nkown that your email is company property and that they are entitled to go into it at will. Once you sign that contract you give them the right to go into your email at will. As far as your internet usage they have just as much right to monitor your internet usage as you have to monitor where someone goes in your house.
The internet connection belongs to them as do the computer systems.

Answer 5

Yes they can. It's their equipment and hard drive you are using to access the internet on company time. If you are doing something inappropriate, like looking at porn, they can fire you. Most companies have a policy for internet usage that is outlined in the employee manual. I

Answer 6

Yes, you are using their equipment and you are in their property. and they are paying you for your time. You should be working for them. You are allowed breaks, but the equipment is still theirs and they are responsible for the content and results of the computer and whatever happens there. They need to be able to monitor the use of the computer to be sure it is being used appropriately. Also they may have company secrets and privelaged information on the computer. It is a matter pf survival for them.

Answer 7

Most companies have a policy stating what is and is not acceptable internet usage. By explaining the terms and conditions under which you are premitted to use the 'net, YES they are.

E-mail is on their server (their property) or coming thru their firewall (subject to their security conditions and terms of usage)

No biggie

Answer 8

Yes they can and staff need to be aware of this and be guided accordingly. Many staff abuse these facilities at the workplace.

Answer 9

Yes...because while you're on their time, what you do is their business. I assume the boss owns the computer so what you do with it is also his business.