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PRIVACY - defined by Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (www.m-w.com) as the "freedom from unauthorized intrusion" or "being apart from observation".
So, what does EMPLOYEE PRIVACY mean?
Employees are entitled to privacy - I don't know of anyone who would disagree. However, when does an employer have the right to ask an employee to stop a personal behavior or action?
We've probably all sent and/or received an occasional personal email through the company's email system. And, who hasn't grumbled about their job or their employer? Has an employee gone too far when they "blog" about their gripes? What about smoking cigarettes outside of work when you work for a health care company?
We need to ask ourselves some basic questions:
- Does the activity impede an employee's ability to do their job?
- Is the employee on company time?
- Is the employee using company resources?
- Is the employee distracting other employees?
- Does the behavior damage the credibility/reputation of the employer?
Just like many Human Resource issues, there is no easy answer. Each situation must be evaluated and every employee should be treated fairly. However, for the sake of ALL the employees, employers do have a right to protect their organization.
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