Privacy

Court points way toward tracking employees with GPS

07/24/2013

A recent New York Court of Appeals case offers guidance to employers that want to slap GPS devices on employees’ cars to monitor their activities.

Is it legally risky to use facial recognition software?

07/05/2013

Q. Management wants to install “facial recognition” software that clocks in employees by electronically matching the employee’s face to a database. Leaving aside the Big Brother creepiness, are there any legal land mines we should consider before installing this type of technology?

Court: Unions entitled to info about nonunion employees

06/27/2013

In a significant win for organized labor, the Supreme Court of California has ruled that a union is entitled to the home addresses and telephone numbers of employees who aren’t union members.

New Texas law provides more protection for your trade secrets

06/26/2013

Under the newly enacted Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act, you will have more recourse when someone misappropriates your intellectual property. Starting Sept. 1, this new statute provides companies with greater protection for their trade secrets and expands the available legal remedies to address actual and anticipated harm.

Can we distribute employees’ contact info?

05/14/2013

Q. Do employers have the right to put employees’ address and phone numbers in a place where all employees can access them? Are there privacy issues? Should we get employees’ permission?

Prepare now for the data breach that will inevitably hit you

04/25/2013

Most companies maintain large amounts of data about their employees, some of which may be considered personally identifiable information. It must be carefully guarded to ensure employee privacy and prevent identity theft. You must understand the relevant laws and your obligations to protect employee data.

Firing for Facebook post doesn’t violate Texas privacy law

01/09/2013

Recently, a Texas appeals court was asked to determine whether firing an employee because of a Facebook post violated that employee’s state law privacy rights. The court held that it did not.

Can we put worker’s photo & info on our website?

11/29/2012

Q. On our company website, we post employees’ pictures and a brief overview of their education and professional background. Recently, an employee asked us to remove her information for security reasons. She fears someone may google her name and find out where she works and the area she lives. Thoughts?

Sick-day details on company calendar: Too risky?

11/20/2012

Disclosing on a company calendar that an employee is out because of sickness or FMLA leave is problematic. An employer should never disclose that absences are due to medical or health reasons. You must maintain the confidentiality of such information.

Third state bars access to staff Facebook passwords

10/30/2012

California last month became the third state to enact a law that prohibits employers from asking applicants or employees for their passwords to social media sites. Illinois and Maryland had passed similar laws earlier this year.