Privacy in the Workplace FAQ

Can you run a background check, use an employment test, or check up on employees' activities on or off the job?

Workplace Searches: Dos and Don'ts

Here are some tips on how to conduct a search without violating your workers' privacy rights.

Keeping Personnel Files and Medical Records Confidential

Take steps to protect the confidentiality of employee files and medical records.

Testing Employees

Can you require your employees to submit to a medical exam, drug screen, psychological test, or lie detector test? Find out the rules here.

Monitoring Employees' Off-Duty Conduct

Should you keep track of what employees do when they're not on the job?

Workplace Cameras and Surveillance: Rules for Employers

Filming employees at work may violate their right to privacy.

Monitoring Employee Communications

Learn the rules on monitoring email, voicemail, telephone conversations, and Internet use.

Creating an Email Policy

An employee email policy can help protect your business.

Can we discipline employees for online posts that are critical of the company?

Disciplining employees for criticizing the company online might violate labor laws.

Should our company allow employees to BYOD?

Pitfalls about when employers allow employees to use their own phones and other devices for business.

Can I be fired for refusing to take a drug test?

Can they require me to take a drug test? What happens if I say no?

Do I have to take a polygraph in a workplace investigation?

Our manager has said that we will all have to take a polygraph test as part of the company's investigation. Is this legal?

Can my employer threaten to fire us if we do not quit smoking?

As long as I don't smoke in no-smoking areas at work, what business is it of my employer whether I choose to smoke?

Is there a maximum amount that can be garnished from my wages for child support?

Isn't there a limit on how much of my wages can be garnished?