Bill Bans Secret Workplace Snooping

jyuter writes "According to this ZDNET article, congress is considering a bill which requires companies to disclose their practices regarding reading employees' e-mails. What puzzles me is this quote from Charles Schumer D-NY, "We would never stand for it if an employer steamed open an employee's mail, read it and put it back. It is the same thing with an employee's e-mail." So it's ok then for employers to steam open employees's mail and give it back to them, provided they tell the employees of this policy beforehand." This would be a very modest proposal indeed - one tiny step for privacy, one giant leap for, well, nothing. Maybe I should be less cynical. Nah.

Comments

This won't make a big difference

[sandler]

I think this is an excellent bill, as people should at least be aware of what's happening. I'd much rather have an exposed camera in an elevator than a hidden one.

But, keep in mind that this only means that they have to tell you what they can or may do. It doesn't mean that every time they read one of your emails, they have to tell you that they did so. My company was straightforward in saying that they can and do read emails, web logs, etc. But I think most people operate as if they probably won't read everything.

I think this is a step in the right direction, but I bet even after being notified of the company policy, an employee would still be shocked/upset if an HR rep dragged out an email and grilled him on it.