Workplace Privacy Rights

Employees have privacy rights at work, but understanding those rights can be challenging. Employers may have the ability to monitor workplace activities, use technology to protect company information, and collect certain employee data—but there are limits to what they can access and how they can use that information.

Our Workplace Privacy Rights guides explain what employers can legally monitor, what information they can collect, and what employees should know about privacy at work.

Explore guides about workplace monitoring, employee surveillance, personal devices, remote work privacy, and other common workplace privacy questions.

Workplace Monitoring and Employee Surveillance

Employers often use monitoring tools to manage workplace security, protect company systems, and track business activities. However, employees may have questions about what employers can see and whether monitoring goes too far.

Learn about your rights regarding:

• Computer monitoring
• Internet activity tracking
• Employee monitoring software
• Workplace surveillance
• Digital activity tracking

Workplace Monitoring Guides:

• Can Employers Monitor Your Computer at Home?
• Can Your Employer Read Your Emails on a Personal Device?
• Can Your Employer Track Your Location?
• Can Your Employer Monitor Your Internet Activity?
• Can Your Employer Monitor Remote Employees?
• Can your boss read your emails?
• Can employers monitor Slack or Microsoft Teams messages?

Workplace Cameras and Recording

Security cameras and recording devices are common in many workplaces, but employees have privacy concerns about where cameras can be placed and when employers can record them.

Explore guides about:

• Workplace security cameras
• Video monitoring
• Audio recording
• Webcam monitoring
• Employee surveillance

Workplace Camera and Recording Guides:

• Can Your Employer Put Cameras in the Workplace?
• Can Your Employer Record Conversations at Work?
• Can Your Employer Watch You Through Your Webcam?
• Can coworkers legally record you?
• Can your employer record you at work?

Personal Devices and Workplace Privacy

Many employees use personal phones, computers, and accounts for work. This can create questions about how much access an employer has to personal information.

Learn about:

• Personal phones at work
• Personal computers used for work
• Personal email accounts
• Company access to employee devices

Personal Device Privacy Guides:

• Can Your Employer Search Your Personal Phone?
• Can Your Employer Access Your Personal Email?
• Can Your Employer Install Monitoring Software on Your Personal Computer?
• Can Your Employer Ask About Your Medical History?
• Can Your Employer Search Your Personal Belongings at Work?
• Can Your Employer Search Your Phone at Work?
• Can You Be Fired For Using Your Personal Phone At Work?

Remote Work Privacy Rights

Working from home has changed the way employers monitor employees. Remote workers may have questions about screen monitoring, activity tracking, cameras, and other workplace technology.

Remote Work Privacy Guides:

• Can Your Employer Monitor Your Computer While Working From Home?
• Can Your Employer Require You to Use Monitoring Software?
• Can Your Employer Track You While Working Remotely?
  

Employee Information and Data Privacy

Employers collect and store personal information throughout the employment relationship. Employees should understand what information employers can access and how that information may be used.

Learn about:

• Employee records
• Medical information
• Personal data
• Confidential information

Employee Data Privacy Guides:

• Can Your Employer Access Your Medical Information?
• Can Employers Share Employee Information?
• What Information Can Your Employer Collect About You?

More Workplace Privacy Guides Coming Soon (Subscribe)

Workplace privacy continues to evolve as employers use new technology and employees work in more flexible environments. We continue adding guides to help employees understand their privacy rights and responsibilities at work. Subscribe below to stay informed.