Just FYI: New Privacy Bill Protects Internet Use

[just a punk]

SACRAMENTO ? A controversial new bill is being passed on to the California State Assembly that would require employers to inform staff members that they monitor email content and Internet activity. Full Story...

[smokingdawn]

hmmmm

[Paul Markham]

How fucked up is this?

?Just because your boss owns the computers and pays for the Internet access doesn't mean he should have the right to spy on you without telling you, any more than owning the telephone and paying the phone bill should allow him to eavesdrop on your personal phone conversations without letting you know,? said Bowen.

Existing law prohibits an employer from recording an employee telephone call without informing them first.

"This doesn't prevent a company from monitoring its employees or from firing people who misuse company equipment," Bowen continued. "It just says if you monitor your employees you've got to tell them it's company policy."

So an employer is not allowed to monitor what an employee is doing with his equipment, his money (he pays the bills) and on his time? Without telling the employee first. "I'm going to be watching you to see if you're stealing from me"

No wonder this bill got turned down 3 times. But I suppose you just have to put a line in the Terms of Employment.

Life is simpler here in CZ, an employ steals from you, you can sack him.