Under which condition is an employer permitted to check if Internet and email services in the workplace are being used for private purposes?
A.
The employer is permitted to check this if the employee is informed after each instance of checking.
B.
The employer is permitted to check this if the employees are aware that this could happen.
C.
The employer is permitted to check this if a firewall is also installed.
D.
The employer is in no way permitted to check the use of IT services by employees.
Explanation:
In many organizations, there is now a code of conduct stipulating the rights and duties of the employer and of the employees in this area. It is, for example, often permissable to use the telephone and Internet for private means as long as the work does not suffer as a consequence. Downloading music, films and software and visiting sexually oriented sites are usually explicitly prohibited. The use of email should also be subject to conditions.
The employer has the right to monitor the use to which their systems are put. This may be done in the form of random checks or in a highly targeted manner when there is a strong suspicion of misuse by certain employees. This might be on the condition, however, that the employees are aware of the fact that these monitoring measures may be carried out. Conditions regarding such monitoring depend on the local legislation.