Can companies restrict their employee's email use?

[toolbox]

Yeah i have restrictions in place at work, staff are looking at myspace and facebook. That is now blocked, they then use another browser to access the site, i disable the browser from working.

I have software that monitors the computer, if something gets installed on there that is not work related say limewire, i get emailed and it uninstalls the program automatically.

 

[Gray-Wolf]

Its been said, if you don't want it heard, don't say it. That applies to things typed, if you don't want it read, don't type it.

People abuse the office computer/internet and it changed things in the office world. Like the cop, on duty in his patrol car, accessing child porn on the squad car computer. I happened here in Ga. a couple years ago.

 

[garybUK]

in the EU you are allowed by law some personal communication as long as it's not detrimental to your work. They are not allowed, by law, to intercept and/or read messages used for personal use, even if it's sent to another business mailbox!!

My company had to re-instate a few people, with pay and monetary damages employees that were dismissed as part of a e-mail scan. It didn't hold up in Tribunal

 

[kygeographer]

About a year ago, a county judge here in Kentucky ruled that the state had to turn over emails to a man who wanted to see messages sent between his wife and a male co-worker at a state office.

Apparently he wanted to see copies of the emails between his wife and the guy she was having an affair with. The state fought the release, but the judge ruled that it was subject to open records act, even though it was of a personal nature.

I'm pretty sure the state monitors my email use, although I've not been questioned about it yet. It's generally something they'll just use against you when they are looking for something to hang you with. I try (and most people in my office) to limit my personal use of email to my breaks and lunch. Or I'll just use text messaging if it's not something I want to be a matter of public record.

Oh, and here in Kentucky, I believe the state education agency manages the email systems that the county school districts use, so it falls under the public record act as well.

 

[Rhosfelt]

The teachers at my high school (when I went there) were told the same thing, however they had access to personal email sites, as we had "lab times" and were allowed to email (no attachments or anything though) so I can still communicate with my teachers that I like through that.

Given though my school was really really really small and wasn't too controlling over things like this.

 

[iJohnHenry]

What the Hell is wrong with the good old telephone??

 

[Rhosfelt]

What the Hell is wrong with the good old telephone??

I text my old computer and english teachers too if that is what you mean.

 

[localoid]

My wife is heading back to school this fall. She is a elementary teacher. During one of her first day school meetings she was told that no employee of the school was allowed to use email for ANY personal purposes whatsoever. Emails are only allowed for intra-office use and discussions between teachers and other school employees. Emails going out of the building are to be sent to students' parents only. The internet is restricted to research use only for classroom lessons.

...

Your location shows "Iowa"... If your wife is working for Iowa public school system then Iowa's E-Mails and Open Records Law may be of interest.

 

[fivepoint]

Your location shows "Iowa"... If your wife is working for Iowa public school system then Iowa's E-Mails and Open Records Law may be of interest.

Thanks for the link. Remember though, we're not really concerned if the emails are public information or not. We're not saying anything bad or against the law in the emails, just wanting to converse like normal people during the day a few times. "Hi, how is your day going?" kind of stuff.

It's not that it will be public record... that is fine, just frustrated that management has restricted use of the internet or email (period) for any personal purposes. At my work they tend to be more trusting and let grown ups make grown up decisions. And as long as you get your work done at a satisfactory level and on time, there is no problem! I completely understand that they don't want people on ebay all day or doing personal business when they're supposed to be working... but restricting even the most basic communication over email seems a bit much. Maybe they should restrict use of the phone as well. Put the whole school on lock-down and restrict any communication leaving the building.

I guess it is their choice, but a wrong one for HR reasons, in my opinion.