Unauthorized Access To Personal Technologies

Outten & Golden attorneys knowledgeably advise employees regarding their rights to use technology privately in the workplace. Some employers exploit their (or others') electronic systems to access employees’ personal password-protected online email or social media site accounts without permission. Such access may be prohibited by the Stored Communications Act and the employee may be able to obtain damages against the employer for the unauthorized electronic intrusion. Where an employer prohibits employee access to personal technologies or broadly proscribes the types of communications employees may make via personal technologies, the employee may be protected by the National Labor Relations Act, which protects employees’ speech concerning the terms and conditions of employment. Outten & Golden attorneys can help clients understand and protect their private technology use.