Discussion: Workplace Privacy: Replies to 2 Students
Reply to at least two classmates’ posts. Your response to your classmate’s discussion should be around 50-75 words (each) and add to the discussion, two separate paragraphs. (i.e. reflecting on their response, asking questions, etc.). Reply to each student separately, so two paragraphs each. The prompt they are answering is below.
Reply to at least two classmates’ posts (though you are welcome to reply to more). Your response to your classmate’s discussion should be around 50-75 words (each) and add to the discussion (i.e. reflecting on their response, asking questions, etc.).
Prompt: Join your classmates in a Group Discussion regarding Workplace Privacy. Feel free to answer all prompts, or choose a couple.
Note:
You need to submit first before seeing your classmates’ posts.
Explain why privacy in the workplace is an issue of legal and ethical concern for both employers and employees?
Evaluate ways in which concerns about privacy in the workplace differ from concerns about privacy more generally?
Assess the impact of digital technology on concerns about privacy in the workplace.
Advise employers about the main legal and ethical considerations they should take into account in engaging in employee monitoring.
An employee’s consent to a privacy policy that restricts employee’s workplace privacy is usually effective in legal proceedings. Do you think this is fair? Why or why not?
Student 1:
Workplace privacy is defined around the employee’s privacy rights, and what an employer is limited on in regards to searching an employee’s personal items and how they monitor an employee. Some examples of this in this week’s lecture are an employee’s cell phone, computer, personal email accounts, and social media. There have been many cases displayed in the news of an individual being fired or resigning because of the language used on a social media platform that could be considered an invasion of privacy, however, because social media is public it can be used against a person. This shouldn’t give any employer grounds to go probing about an employee, and of course, everything should be considered depending on the employee contract.
A very transparent and yet realistic example would be a teacher that may show or display on their social media how much they don’t like children and jokingly state examples to hurt or use inappropriate language in regards to children. In this scenario, the employee could believe that they have the right to say and do as they wish, even if no physical action has been done or performed. However, the reputation of that employer is important, and taking precautions knowing that a parent could see the post, is the right call of action.
Workplace privacy in the workplace is both a legal and ethical concern for both employees and employers because of the limitations that privacy is defined in that work environment. Employees may believe that what they do personally from their email account on a work computer is private, while an employer is doing what they can to protect the company’s privacy by not allowing the employee to operate their personal accounts at work or even on the premises.
Privacy in the workplace should be respected, and the employer needs to define privacy rights. Therefore if there are cameras, or audio recordings during interaction with other customers/clients or employees. The employer should disclose this from the very beginning. Also because of how fast technology advances daily, the employer must be very careful as to when and how to approach an employee about their general privacy. Having the terms of employee privacy in the workplace or even in a virtual environment should be outlined in the employee handbook.
Student 2:
Privacy in the workplace is a legal issue because both parties must abide by the laws, rules, and apply them to the limitations of a working business relationship. It is an ethical issue because individuals deserve autonomy and respect, while employers must maintain security for all employees and productivity to stay in business – sometimes these necessities conflict. In general, privacy is seemingly a given with every person having a right and reasonable expectation to privacy, but in the workplace an employee’s right to privacy may be limited anytime there is a legitimate business concern. It is a fair legal defense if an employee has consented to a privacy policy that restricts their privacy in the workplace so long as the employer is clear regarding its privacy limitations and does not broaden them without additional consent.
