My boss opens everyone's e-mail before we see it, is it illegal to do that ?

firebobby

Yes, it`s his equipment on his premises.I worked at a company and the owner opened every letter, even Christmas cards.

tommie

If you are recieving personal e-mails at work and there is a policy in place that allows him to do this ..then yes...of course he can do it and it is not illegal. Most companies are instituting policeis that limit or prohibit personal use of computers at work.

rugratshd

no, it is probably in your contact of employment as well - the computers at work and their contents belong to the company

Mik

No, it isn't.

"New technologies make it possible for employers to monitor many aspects of their employees' jobs, especially on telephones, computer terminals, through electronic and voice mail, and when employees are using the Internet. Such monitoring is virtually unregulated. Therefore, unless company policy specifically states otherwise (and even this is not assured), your employer may listen, watch and read most of your workplace communications"

Silly

It is very legal. Company computers and company email accounts are just that, the company's. Many companies even state in their employee handbooks that not only do they have the right to monitor email accounts, but any activities on company computers.

Most people forget that email accounts are typically set up by the employer and can be monitored by the employer with the ability of the employer to access your account as an administrator for the entire email account of the company without needing your password. An employer can even typically have copies of every email sent or received copied and sent to another email account without your knowledge.

My advise to you is when you are at work, stick to work related business only on company email. And when you are on a break or at home, use a Yahoo account which your boss should not have access to unless you keep your Yahoo account signed in all the time.

Logic316

No, it's fine as long as he gives all the employees fair warning that email and web usage on computers owned by the company are being monitored. Otherwise, without such a prior warning, some courts have argued that people do have a reasonable expectation of privacy when using computers in their workplace (kind of like how you have a right to expect some privacy in the restroom, despite the fact that the toilets are owned by the company). Same thing with company telephones.

Bardic

Of course it's legal. The equipment is the company's, the internet link is the company's, your time at work is the company's.

Maria L/B

many companies are allowed to legally monitor company emails

pinkribbon

The DVLA sacked a few employees for abusing the email system.You need to be careful sending private emails via computers at work.The employers have a right to go through the emails as the computers are their property.

stanthemansmum

I should think it is legal but you can't be sacked for someone sending you an e-mail from outside the company as long as you did not send or reply to private e-mails during work time (save it for your lunch hour!) It would be illegal if he logged onto a private e-mail address ie, the one you used at home.

Gerry Atrix

It is the company's computer so yes.
You shouldn't use company property for personal needs.

Nemesis

Stuff sent to the Company Store is quite legally screened by the owners - since employees could otherwise be misusing or abusing the Store computers for quite illegal purposes. Privacy laws couldn't possibly extend to a Corporate entity - where a mischievous Mavis is doing illegal transanctions - under the false name of Amy. Or Bill under the name of Cyril.
In days of yore - private telephone calls were frowned upon - incoming because of distraction of employees - outgoing because of same + extra costs to the Company's phone bill. Net services - and 'free' acccess to terminals leaves huge scope for employees to misuse the facilities at their workplace - so a degree of screening/vetting is inevitable.

RALPH HINRIK

In my company I opened all mail including snail mail!

dubbleyu

Not if its a work email account. He's perfectly within his rights, if its a personal email then he cant, but then he can argue that a personal account should not be used in work.

Michael A

Many companies have a centralised registered e-mail address and the overall boss has every authority to open, and read all mails on the company's official address.

What should be done is that individuals should own their own e-mail addresses and the passwords should be kept as secret. By so doing, personal e-mails can NEVER be opened by your boss

dvc214

finglas9

.if you are doing personal stuff in work time then you have no right to become protective of your rights, But if your boss can access your PC/emails at work this means he/she could do anything on your pc. Can they send emails from your PC ? if so this is open to abuse and is not permitted. You should refuse to be in a position where someone else can access th PC you use where the work on it including emails are in your name. However if you have logged on with your private password then the boss has a right to check for staff abusing his work time (he pays you for) to prevent you doing personal stuff. have integrity do what you are paid to do and nothing else.

pickles

what in Gods name is your job? your boss must have truck loads of time... why doesnt he just get a Firewall like everyone else?

Mookster

who cares dont talk about the plot u guys have to kill him

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