ERIC Number: EJ826802
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1080-5699
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
No Place to Play: Current Employee Privacy Rights in Social Networking Sites
Genova, Gina L.
Business Communication Quarterly, v72 n1 p97-101 2009
Employers have legitimate business interests in monitoring workplace Internet use: to minimize legal exposure, to increase productivity, and to avoid proprietary information loss. Since employees arguably have no expectation of privacy in their work on employers' computers, there are few grounds for complaint if they are disciplined for straying from corporate policy on such use. In this heavily scrutinized work environment, it is no small wonder that employees crave a place to unwind and play "electronically" after hours. In unprecedented numbers, America's workers are visiting online social networking sites (OSNs) and posting tidbits that might not be considered job-appropriate by their employer. In this article, the author discusses how wise employees should exercise restraint in their online presence as it reflects on their work life. Employers are also advised to establish all-encompassing OSN policies that protect business interests, give employees personal freedom, and allow OSN use for both parties' growth. A discussion of California's law on employees' privacy is also presented.
Descriptors: Employees, Electronic Mail, Expectation, Privacy, Leisure Time, Life Style, Interests, Work Environment, Legal Responsibility, Employer Employee Relationship, Computer Mediated Communication, Social Networks
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A