Carlton's Eight Questions about Privacy in the Employee Workplace

1

Can your employer eaves drop on your phone calls?

Usually Yes, but parties must be warned.

Some states make exception for personal calls

2

Can your employer legally see a list of phone numbers you've called?

Usually, Yes

PEN Register devices can track and trace

Includes numbers, time, length of call

3

Can your employer legally monitor your computer activity?

Usually, Yes

Idle time trackers

Keystroke recorders

Content recorders

4

Can your employer legally read your e-mail?

Usually, Yes

5

Can your employer legally listen to your voice mail?

Usually, Yes

6

When you delete e-mail, is it still there?

Usually, Yes

Simply un-erase erased files

The e-mail server may keep copies

Others who were copied may keep copies

Tape back up devices may contain copies

7

Are e-mails that are marked as "private", actually private?

No

8

Are a company's privacy promises legally binding?

Yes

What kind of information do your medical records contain?

1

Lifestyle (smoking, dangerous sports, etc)

2

Family medical history, cancer, mental disorders, etc.

3

Lab results from tests for diseases, etc.

4

Dental records

5

The usual name, address, social security number, etc.

Who has access to your medical records?

1

Anyone to who you grant a waiver, including:

2

Insurance companies

3

Government agencies (for Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Workers Comp claims)

4

Self-insured businesses may request access

10

Medical records can be subpoenaed

11

Hospitals evaluating a doctor (although your name is usually withheld)

12

Direct marketing efforts (free blood pressure, cholesterol checks, etc)

1996 Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ACT

1

Mandates National ID numbers for all Americans

A Summary of Selected Government Records

1

Drivers License (Birth date, Address, physical description, SSN, violations)

2

Auto Registration (Owner, make, model, license plate #, VIN, Lien holder)

3

Voter Registration (sold to candidates, journalists, scholars, etc)

4

Birth Certificate (Birth date, City, hospital, physician, parents

5

Marriage Certificate (Bride and groom, county where married

6

Death Certificate (SSN, date, location of death)

7

Property Records

8

Court Records

9

Divorce Records

10

Arrest Records (criminal history)

11

US Post Office (records of addresses)

12

Medicare

13

Medicaid

14

Veterans Administration

15

Welfare

16

School Records (grades, teachers, disciplinary records)

17

College Records

18

Public Library Records (books you've checked out, when)

19

IRS Records