Workplace Privacy

Privacy can be viewed as an entitlement, and therefore as a fundamental right, or as one interest to be balanced against others. Privacy in the workplace concerns the balance between the right of the employee to personal space and the management of his or her personal information with the right of the employer to manage that workplace and to make effective decisions. Some means of gathering information about employees may focus on inappropriate information, or the employer may use methods that are unreasonable or intrusive. Yet the employer also legitimately seeks to know as much about the employee as possible and the employee seeks to prevent unreasonable intrusions. Technology has muddied the issues involved because it allows for access to information using methods never before ...