Ethics and Worker Privacy

• As the use of electronic communication at work has risen, new ethical issues involving worker privacy have emerged. Should employers be allowed to read employee e-mail, inspect their Facebook pages or blogs, or access files located on a personal computer at work? Discuss at least two reasons why or why not?
• Respond to at least one of your classmates. Do you agree or disagree with them? Provide at least 2 reasons why or why not and support your answer with at least one real-world example.

Respond to classmate:

 Yes, I believe that employers should be allowed to read employees email and inspect their Facebook pages, blogs or access files located on a personal computer at work. As stated in the reading the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (1986) exempts employers. An employer has the right to monitor job-related communication and not personal information of employees. I know for a fact that my company reviews my computer uses every day. I don't have access to Facebook or blogs on my work computer, so I don't worry about my employer spying on me. I do think it is essential that employers track emails because you never know when someone can pose as a threat to the company. It's a right way for employers to catch employees that are doing something that's unethical. I know when it comes to privacy there are boundaries that employers have to respect, but in all fairness, employers should have the right to monitor employees e-mail, messages, and texts. It is okay for employers to watch employees for a specific reason such as reduced productivity or suspicion of theft.