Workplace ethics: My spouse strongly suspects the boss listens in on incoming phone calls at work. Thoughts?

la buena bruja

Legally, employers are supposed to inform you that your calls are monitored. However, most calls in many offices are monitored. Your e-mails aren't private, either. My advice is to carry on as if everything you do is monitored.

bubblelator

knowledge is power. Don't say anything that might get you into trouble and don't use company phones for personal reasons at any time. Make your cell phone-calls in the park, around the corner, or in the busy food fair at the mall, on your breaks.

campZac

and I quote, "this call may be monitored for quality assurance."

move on

cattbarf

Move on; it is his phone system.

all_stardusty

I don't see any problem listening to what's going on in your workplace, on your property, on your dime, on your equipment, etc. And I wouldn't say anything I didn't intend the bosses to hear. :)

sunshine_today

they can monitor everything. You have no privacy at work

Califrich

Your boss has every right to listen in, because the calls are coming in on company equipment. Assume that any phone call you receive or make is being monitored, and behave accordingly. This is even more true of e-mail.

Riya Layne

It might even be in their usage policy or workplace regulations. It might just be to ensure that no long personal calls are being made at work and that the employees are doing what they are there to do. A lot of companies monitor internet usage as well.

Su Z Cue

Companies have the right to monitor the useage of their telephones and computers. I just suggest your spouse not use company time and/or equipment for personal use.

Old Dawg

If talking on the phone is interrupting his/hers job. Yes he/she can if it's not "work related".
Example:

If it's a customer taking a little too long to place an order or (something pertaining to part of the job description)? No. There's no reason for the "listening in".

But!

If the call is from a relative, spouse etc. (that is not job related)?
Yes! One would be better off limiting there time on the phone with relatives that call more times than they should.

TedEx

Find out who abused the privilege and made it bad for everybody.

tiffany

Big Brother is always watching. It is wise to keep that in mind when at work. Make sure that all phone and email conversations are work-related and squeaky clean.

:)

Mr G

Well, the phone system belongs to him. There's no problem. But, I understand the privacy issue.

rishi b

He has got the rights. But i think its not ethical.. No privacy and its not as tho you work at a top secret military base rite? You got nothing confidential to leak out what~

midwesthoney829

I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere in your husband's employee handbook, there's a blanket statement which says that the employer reserves the right to monitor internet usage, phone usage, etc...most employers put that in there to CYA.

Whether or not you know you're being monitored, a wise person doesn't use company property (phone or internet) to communicate any information that they'd be afraid for the boss to hear.

Marcus

how come we can't give thumbs down for bad questions any more?

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