The perception that employees have no expectation of privacy -
that, like a uniform, this is a sacrifice made in exchange for a
pay cheque - is increasingly unrealistic. With society's
heightened awareness of privacy laws, it is now accepted that
privacy is a right and not a privilege. Accordingly, it is
generally accepted that employees are entitled to a reasonable
amount of privacy in and outside of the workplace.
In general, what employees do on their own time is their own
business but, when employee conduct either "on or off the
clock" negatively impacts the employer's organization,
then it becomes of the employer's business.
Employers have the right to know if employees are doing the job
they are paid todo;they have a right to protect their assets, their
investment, their reputation and brand, and they have a duty to
provide a safe and harassment-free working
environment.
