If there is no company policy in place, then it is a violation of a person's privacy to read e-mail intended for someone else. Employees must be informed in advance whether it is permissible to use e-mail for other than company business. To improve the acceptance of such practices, employers should explain the business reasons for such monitoring. Employees should be informed that e-mail is inherently more accessible than other forms of communications. Conclusions E-mail is a new type of technology for which ethical practices are still being defined.
Employers have a right to manage company resources, but employees have a right to privacy.
The legal system favors the rights of employers. Defining clear company policies and informing employees of the stated policies can help ensure ethical practices in the use of e-mail.