Questions:

• Can I require all employees that I am considering for management positions to take a psychological test?
• Can I fire a worker whose personal beliefs clash with mine?
• Can I read my employees' email messages?
• Can I monitor my workers' phone calls to make sure they are properly serving my customers?
• Can I randomly search my employees as they leave the workplace to minimize theft?
• What are the rules for handling employee medical records?
• Can we fire an employee for criticizing managers on Facebook?
• Can employees post reviews of company products on websites like Amazon and Yelp?
• Can I install cameras in the workplace to discourage employee misconduct?

Answer:

Can I install cameras in the workplace to discourage employee misconduct?

It depends on where you want to put the cameras, and why. You must have a reasonable basis for monitoring in this manner (to discourage theft from a cash register and enhance the security of customers, for example) and inform your employees of the cameras. Certain areas of the workplace (the bathroom or changing areas, for example) are generally off-limits to this type of monitoring.

For more information, see Nolo's article Workplace Cameras and Surveillance: Rules for Employers. 

To Learn More

For a complete guide to your legal rights and responsibilities as an employer, get The Employer's Legal Handbook: Manage Your Employees & Workplace Effectively, by Fred Steingold (Nolo), which shows you how to comply with the most recent workplace laws and regulations, run a safe and fair workplace, and avoid lawsuits.