Employee Privacy

Employee privacy has become a greater concern as more and more employees have turned to the Internet and other electronic media to communicate both on and off the job. Although many of these accounts may seem private, in reality employees have very little privacy. Employers can generally search through anything that happens on company computers. Below you can find information on employee privacy, both during the job application process, and during employment. Topics addressed include background checks, electronic surveillance, eavesdropping, and more. Keep checking back here to stay up to date in this quickly changing area of law.

Learn About Employee Privacy

Privacy in the Workplace: Overview
Overview article summarizing how employees’ expectations of privacy via phone, e-mail, Internet, and related technologies are affected by the current state of the law and how it might change in the future.
Privacy at Work: What Are Your Rights?
Many employees have more limited privacy rights in the workplace than they might think. Find out what your employers can learn from your Internet usage, and what you can do to protect your privacy.
Tests at Work: Your Rights
Employers often request that their employees take drug tests as a condition of employment. Find out what rights employees have with respect to drug screening and other sorts of testing in the workplace.

Workplace Searches and Interrogations
Getting searched or questioned at work? You are not alone – many people get searched at work for illegal substances and other activity. Find out your rights and how to enforce them here.
Dictionary: Employment Law Terms
Definitions and explanations of all the most common employment law terms and abbreviations, such as Family and Medical Leave Act; constructive discharge; garnishment of wages; and implied contract.
Employees Rights 101
An overview of employee rights in the workplace, including laws against discrimination on the job; wage and hour regulations; and payday requirements.

Employee Privacy Articles