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Does my employer have to tell me they monitor office internet traffic?

Was wondering if legally an employer must tell you prior that the company monitors internet traffic on its computers? Do they have to provide some sort of internet use policy? If so, can anything they monitor you for if you didn't know you are being watched be used against you in an unemployment compensation case? Guess it would be similar to being told you are being recorded on a telephone call where as you must agree or object. Thanks for the help!

Public Comments

1. probably not
2. yes
3. no they don't have to tell you
4. nope ... your on their time (on the clock), using their computer, at their office, on their internet.
5. Not at all, they own the connection and free to use it how they see fit. At least in IL / WI.
6. No, your employer has the right to monitor their business computers.....
7. Last I was told, you are using their equipment and their facilities, so you have no expectation of privacy. Not a lawyer, so I can't be sure, but I would assume they are monitoring if they said so or not.
8. Their computer, Their office, Their time, no they don't have to tell you anything so you should make sure you are using their computer for their business while you are at work.
9. No, they do not. It is a given they will monitor your use of email and the Internet. It is a security issue for you and the company. They should have provided you information spelling out the use of their equipment and software.
10. Come on, you're paid to work and not spend your time on the internet other than for company business.
11. No, they do not because it is their company property (the computers) and they are paying you to perform a job. Most companies have an Internet policy that is usually in the employee handbook, but they are under no legal obligation to tell you.
12. Any good company will have such a policy but in most cases they don't need to obtain your explicit consent when this is on their networks and is a routine component of their security system. Telephone calls are subject to different rules so the analogy doesn't quite work. Your attorney may be able to use an expectation of privacy defense but I wouldn't hold my breath hoping that it will stand.
13. Yes, if you are on the computer during working hours and it is not work related, it can be used against you.Any personal surfing or emailing should be done on your breaks or lunch hour.
14. I actually do not think they have to tell you. You should have a Employee handbook and if you do I would look up in there what there guidelines are for the use of the internet. I know my husband works in a company and they really monitor the use of the internet and I don't think he was told about it. It is there equipment that you are using or at least if you hook your lap top to their net so I guess they do have the right to monitor. Just be careful .....they can tell you where you been and things you said on there and it could cost you your job....
15. Technically no. They own the system and can monitor at will. You are allowed use of their web access. Wouldn't you want to know if you were paying someone the send and accept personal emails?
16. yes
17. No, they don't have to tell you. Their time, equipment and employee.
18. Many companies have a document concerning the proper use of their computers/network that you read and sign during orientation. If you agree to it, then you are also bound by it. Usually a message will appear on your screen before you log in as well, which notifies you that your computer is being monitored. If you click OK, and log on to your company's network, then you also consent to their monitoring. Regards
19. If your using the company's computer equipment then they do not have to tell you that they monitor Internet activity. Its their computer equipment and they can do what ever they want with it. Most company's usually tell you if they have a policy and what constitutes termination of employment out of courtesy You might have a problem collecting unemployment if a company fires you for Internet activity (IE porn sites or other sites not related to company business). The company will claim they pay you to work for them and surfing a site that is not related to work is unproductive to them
20. You will need a lawyer to help you with this but Work is not a place to 'surf the net for fun' so whether they tell you or not it's pretty much common sense that you should not be doing that during work hours. ex if you use my computer for anything while visiting me It's my right to go to the Computer's History cache to see where you went without telling you 'get it'. So to avoid these type of problems don't use the computer @ work for personal use.
21. No. It should always be assumed that employers are monitoring. It is their computer and internet connections you are using.
22. Employers can legally monitor internet activity on their network whether they tell you or not. Check your employee's handbook.
23. No. They do not have to provide anything. If, however, they do provide any privacy policies, then they must abide by them. That is why many large employers post internet use policies specifying your rights.
24. You ar using the Company's equipment. They have to legal right to monitor anything one it at any time.