Has my employer broken the law ?

D M

If its a company owned computer he can put a key logger on it. Although, using it to gain access to your personal information is illegal. Even though you shouldn't be using company computers for personal things it's still illegal. It's called invasion of privacy.

Gypsy Girl

You should not be using your employer's computers for personal business. Unless he has actually accessed your accounts, I don't believe he has broken the law. You, on the other hand, could be fired for using company resources for personal use. Most employers don't allow that.

Bret

Your employer has every right to look at data stored on company computers. Sorry, but if you don't want this to be seen, don't do it on your computer at work.
I have learned the hard way.
Just because he can see your passwords, doesn't mean he/she will use them. I would delete everything from your work computer and only access them from home, in private.
I would have fired you. Be glad you still have a job. Work means work, not keeping up with personal business.
Bret

Jen F

If it is a work computer, owned by the company: No he hasn't broken the law. You should not be using the computer for personal reasons. Your employer has every right to search your computer for you misusing company property. In fact, you can get in trouble at work. You have no privacy on a work computer.

You need to change all your passwords and stop using company computers for personal reasons.

yepitsme

not if it is company owned. he can do anything!

mmb1995

There are a couple of things to consider here. The computer and network you are working on are your employer's. You may have signed an IT contract stating that you would not use your PC for personal use and any information obtained from that use becomes "property" of the business. Bottom line is you shouldn't use any info on your company's network that you don't want shared. Ethically, no I don't agree with him using your info. However, they are HIS computers. Sorry babe.

ibu guru

Nope, only you did. It's not only legal, it is a very common and widely accepted business practice. Where have you been hiding for the past decade or two that you were not aware of this long ago? It is an issue that has been widely covered in the press over the past decade+, and is resurrected periodically.

You must never use your employer's computer for personal biz. The employer then has the legal right to access anything you do with the company equipment.

You only have a cause for action if your employer actually takes money out of your bank account. Then it is theft. However, your employer has grounds for legal action against you, in addition to just cause for firing you and preventing you from receiving unemployment compensation on the grounds that you were fired for cause.

Chris S

Were you utilizing his computer and software? If you were at work and using the company's computer for personal business, he has every right to monitor what you are doing on his time and his equipment. I would highly recommend that you refrain from personal business at work and complete those tasks at home.

COLIN T

Any employer has the right to access any use of the companies computers. They are there for company use, not your private use.
If you have used the companies computers for your own use during working hours (outside of lunch and tea breaks) you could be considered at fault yourself and obtaining money by false pretences by accepting salary for time spent doing your private affairs instead of working.

allardja

This is a tough question. I actually don't think your employer did anything wrong. I work for a very large govenment contractor. We're told up front that we can't expect any real privacy. I'm using their computer, so anything done with it is their business. If I chose to store personal passwords on a company computer, I could expect them to have access to that info. If your employer actually used those passwords to break into your personal email account, bank account, etc, then he/she definitely broke the law. However, as long as it's their computer it's their business. Sorry!

choccobaby

the use of keyloggers to check on an employee is not illegal, provided that the employee was told about the use of such software.

its there to check whether an employee is doing the job, rather than chatting on messengers, browsing the net for personal use, and checking against private emails that are not relevant to the job.

and why store your bank details on a work computer?

laurie

i dont know about it being legal, but its certainly not morally right, i would suggest changing all your passwords and not accessing private things at work.
In the meantime i would talk to other employees, you may find out other people have had these things accessed by your boss and they would appreciate being told that their personal details have been accessed by someone else in a position of trust. Also, you should report this to HR and if you have other people that can support your claim, then they may be able to do something to stop this.
Good luck and take this as a warning not to access private things (bank details etc) when it is possible others can abuse their rights and gain access to what you have been looking at.

I'm takin back my love

yes

DiAnn

Go to the police and ask them!

XxYOGIB3ARxX

He did break the law that is personal information not only should you go to the law and press charges you can contact workforce too and also press charges that is a criminal offense.

Karli

There is a doubt in your mind that what your boss did was law full?
That is invasion of privacy and is so sketchy that you shouldn't hesitate. Your boss is a dirt bag.

Melissa G

Yes he had no right to do that. Hacking is a criminal offence.

Rey Mysterio

YES it is illegal to HACK so he can be put in court and in prison for HHACKING

simply adorble

It's not hacking. how can you hack your own computer. You were using private property which was lend to you my your employer. your were getting paid while accesing personal business.

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