Can an employer listen to conversations via microphone in the workplace?

Answer 1

Depending on what state you live in, yes, employers can place microphones and surveilence cameras wherever they please (not in the bathrooms, however). They can state reasons of security, prevention of employee theft, etc. They can also monitor phone conversations, your email, and look at every website you may have visited while you are at work.

It behooves every employee to keep these facts in mind, in the workplace.

Expectation of privacy?? Not when you should be doing what they pay you for.

Answer 2

What it all comes down to is do you have an expectation to privacy in the workplace? Seeing how some workplaces maintain video survelliance and are legally allowed to read your work email account, this isn't such a big step away from that though it certainly would be a weird practice. Who would want to work for an employer who watches their employees that closely?

Answer 3

Really depends upon State Law. For the most part the answer is "Yes" as the employer owns the premises and the Telephones and computers they therefore have the ability to monitor whatever they feel like. Since the equipment belongs to the employer, you have "NO" reasonable right of privacy.

Answer 4

Depends on the state you are in, and YES they can do that in a great many states. They may also record ALL phone calls that take place on any phone provided by the employer.

Answer 5

They can but they usually have to inform employees that they may be monitoring conversations and they cannot monitor in places where business is not usually conducted (no microphones in the bathroom for example).

Answer 6

A strong case can be made that employees have enough of a reasonable expectation of privacy in their conversations that "bugging" them would be improper. Your state may have criminal laws forbidding the practice, and you may be able to sue in tort for invasion of privacy.

Answer 7

perhaps someone contained in the workplace spread a rumor about you that you've fetishes, one specially being that you want your adult adult males to take a #2 on you. so as that explains why he went on about his colon and his airborne dirt and mud bypass issues, concept you'll have an interest.

Answer 8

Is it Illegal NO... is it ethical? NO An employer can do anything they want as they own you from the time you punch in til the time you punch out.. Get used to it

Answer 9

Yes. Microphones can be planted anywhere, and, scarely, they are becomming common. so are devices that track employees, things that read employees email... uh oh...

Answer 10

Only if he has told everyone that it is there, anything he hears can't be passed on to a third party by him.