Privacy at work

The use of technology at work

David Kiely, a Macquarie stockbroker, was caught red-handed and red-faced viewing risque images of Miranda Kerr on his computer. Many company policies are absolutely strict to the letter that all electronic equipment and communication can be monitored at all times by the company, and that employees have no right to privacy whatsoever whilst using company electronic equipment. Where should companies draw the line ?  Didn't the company have a responsibility to inform David Kiely that he and his computer screen were being filmed ?  

The new state of privacy in the workplace

Employees have a right to a reasonable amount of privacy when communicating electronically.  Just because the company has the ability to accurately track what employees do on company laptops,  does not mean that the company has the moral right to do it.  It should be acknowledged by companies that some activities that employees will do (even on company equipment) are personal and should not be seen by those companies.  People still have to live their lives.

For those that believe that companies have an unmitigated right to track their employees,  would this mean companies have the right to record whenever employees use company telephones for personal calls?  Or could this be extended to be whenever employees are located in the office and using office space?

Government legislation

There is scope for government to legislate to give employees a reasonably right to privacy.