Employee Handbook Privacy Section
Introduction to Employee Privacy Rights
This section of the employee handbook is provided as a guideline for employees to understand the company policy and procedures regarding privacy in the workplace. While this section cannot address every possible scenario that may occur, the general policy will serve as a basis of understanding the key workplace issues and employee privacy. This section addresses privacy issues related to personal background information, off-work activities, and the corporate policy on the use of electronic monitoring. These privacy policies are designed to both provide a clear guideline for employees on the difference between job related and personal privacy. The policies are designed to create a standard set of procedures that apply equally to all employees. The company goal is to provide a fair workplace for everyone, while at the same time protect the organizations professional reputation. The privacy policies are all in compliance with state, federal, and international laws.
Employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy within the workplace;
however there are circumstances when an employer has a legitimate right to monitor, investigate, and review the activities of its employees. The following identifies business practices that may be enacted to ensure the integrity of company products and property, workplace safety, and the monitoring of employee productivity.
Personal Background Information
It is the company's policy to conduct thorough background checks on all potential new employees. As a general rule, the following items are verified:
Education and Degrees
Past Employment
Criminal Records if any
Social Security checks
Existing employees' privacy will be enforced by:
Allowing employees access to their personnel file for review and
verification.
Medical records and personal information about the employee will only be
released with the employee's written permission.
The employer will protect the employee's
This section of the employee handbook is provided as a guideline for employees to understand the company policy and procedures regarding privacy in the workplace. While this section cannot address every possible scenario that may occur, the general policy will serve as a basis of understanding the key workplace issues and employee privacy. This section addresses privacy issues related to personal background information, off-work activities, and the corporate policy on the use of electronic monitoring. These privacy policies are designed to both provide a clear guideline for employees on the difference between job related and personal privacy. The policies are designed to create a standard set of procedures that apply equally to all employees. The company goal is to provide a fair workplace for everyone, while at the same time protect the organizations professional reputation. The privacy policies are all in compliance with state, federal, and international laws.
Employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy within the workplace;
however there are circumstances when an employer has a legitimate right to monitor, investigate, and review the activities of its employees. The following identifies business practices that may be enacted to ensure the integrity of company products and property, workplace safety, and the monitoring of employee productivity.
Personal Background Information
It is the company's policy to conduct thorough background checks on all potential new employees. As a general rule, the following items are verified:
Education and Degrees
Past Employment
Criminal Records if any
Social Security checks
Existing employees' privacy will be enforced by:
Allowing employees access to their personnel file for review and
verification.
Medical records and personal information about the employee will only be
released with the employee's written permission.
The employer will protect the employee's
References: Gray, Carol Lippert. (May 03, 2005). "Background Checks: Honesty Is Still the Best Policy" employees and employers beware". Monthly Labor Review. Retrieved on November 26, 2005 from: November 27, 2005 from the World Wide Web at: http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd[347]=x-347-82589 Rothstein, Lawrence E. (2000) Electronic Monitoring In The Workplace. New York Law School Journal of International and Comparative Law November 26, 2005 from: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/privacy/PrivacyOrDignity(Rothstein).htm