Can an employer read employee email? Search an employee's workspace or bag? Monitor what employees say on the phone -- or what they post on Facebook or Twitter? Learn what you can and can't do -- and commonsense tips for avoiding problems.
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.
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.
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?