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GUiDe Is It Spying or Just Good Management?

those engaged in an illicit romance, and any other profiles employment contract, you are what the attorneys call 273
the employer creates (disgruntled employee?). So hiding in an employee at will. That means the employer can fire
14
the company data pile is little protection. you for any reason whatsoever. The only exceptions
Aha, you’re thinking. What about the First Amendment? are that you cannot be fired because of your race, gen-
It protects me, no? Alas, no. The First Amendment preserves der, religion, or disability. You also cannot be fired for
your free speech regarding laws Congress may enact, and performing a public service such as jury duty. But, if
while in some limited sense it does protect federal employees, you write an email on a computer at work that says your
it doesn’t protect anyone else at work. boss’s spouse is a jerk, he or she can fire you (the boss,
Well, you think, they can’t fire me for just anything, not the spouse).
can they? Alas, again, unless you have negotiated an

DiSCUSSion QUeStionS

1. List the types of data you think are appropriate for your subordinates is conducting an affair with someone not
employer to gather about you: his or her spouse:
a. On employer-provided devices. a. What would you do if the affair involves two people
b. On personal devices used at work or at home on who work at your employer?
employer-provided networks. b. What would you do if the affair involves someone
2. As a manager, list the types of data you would like to not employed by your company?
obtain on your employees. c. Do you think obtaining such knowledge is appropriate?
3. If there are differences between your answers to ques- 6. Given what you have learned regarding electronic sur-
tions 1 and 2, explain and justify the differences. veillance at work, state your own personal guidelines for
4. Under what circumstances do you think it is appropriate computer use.
for your employer to install a key logger on your per- 7. Reread the definition of job security in Chapter 1. Using
sonal mobile device? that definition as a foundation, state what you can do,
5. Suppose someone from your IT department informs you as an employee at will, to avoid being fired for a frivolous
that the company has evidence that one of your married reason.