Due to the computer problems at work (computer crashes a lot), some of us back-up files on our personal USB-sticks. One day before weekend I forgot my stick in the computer. Coming back to work I found out that my boss took my stick (he is the only one besides me who has the key to my office), he went through my personal files and downloaded some. Is this legal?
September 4, 2010
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you left it in his computer. he didn’t steal it from you or anything like that.
Comment by They Call Me Nardo — September 4, 2010 @ 6:38 am
he cannot and should not ethically, but then again, before you can sue legally, you have to prove that his action has damaged you finanically or emotionally, which you can quantify. His action is similar to opening your office desk drawer to look at your personal paper inside it or putting your personal paper on your desk, etc. In short, his actiton was bad, but what was your quantified damage?
Comment by T E — September 4, 2010 @ 7:13 am
Common sense dictates that if you need to hide something from your boss, do not give him access to it. One other rule most employees forget is that every equipment in the office is considered company property. Anything inside said office equipment should ideally be accessed by management.
Comment by keerok — September 4, 2010 @ 7:33 am
yes.
Comment by wg0z — September 4, 2010 @ 7:57 am
it is his equipment and anything attached to it is his as well the courts have ruled numerous times employees have no expectation of privacy in the workplace
Comment by lcr000 — September 4, 2010 @ 8:12 am
since there was nothing personal on this why does it matter?
oh you mean you have been using the work computer for something other then work…………
as answered already there is NO expectation of privacy in the workplace and anything on a work computer is owned by the employer and they have free and unrestricted access to it,
if you have downloaded company files onto this thumb dive and taken then home you very well may have violated the companies policy concerning proprietary information and could be charged with a criminal offense.
the question is not;
is it legal for the manager to do what he/she did but rather if you may be charged with a criminal offense or terminated for a policy violation.
Comment by michr — September 4, 2010 @ 8:23 am