Chapter 15: Privacy on the Job Information Monitoring and Investigations

Privacy rights arise from the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment. a. True b. False

a. True

Which of the following is an element of an intrusion upon seclusion privacy tort claim? a. one party intentionally pries into the private affairs of another b. the broad disclosure of private information to others c. the use of private information by others for their own benefit d. all of these

a. one party intentionally pries into the private affairs of another

Your boss has told you that he suspects that his wife (whose desk is next to yours) is cheating on him, and having an affair with another man. Because your desk is next to hers, he has asked you to check her computer for evidence of this when she steps away from her desk, which she frequently must do. In the past, she has asked you to watch for urgent emails from customers and others while she was gone, and to page her, which you have done. So even if she came back unexpectedly and found you at her computer, it would probably not arouse her suspicion. Although you are reluctant to do this, he is your boss, and could make things difficult for you. What should you do? a. Do it even though you're reluctant to do so. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If it turns out she is having an affair, he needs to know, and if there's no evidence of it, he will be relieved - and grateful. b. Don't do it, even though your boss will may not understand. Tell him that if the situation were reversed, that is, if she was asking you to spy on him, you wouldn't do that, either. Tell him that this is a private matter, between him and her. Hope that he understands.

b. Don't do it, even though your boss will may not understand. Tell him that if the situation were reversed, that is, if she was asking you to spy on him, you wouldn't do that, either. Tell him that this is a private matter, between him and her. Hope that he understands.

Private employers may keep an employee's medical records with her personnel file as long as they are marked "confidential." a. True b. False

b. False

Which of the following laws mandates that medical information obtained from current employees must be job-related and consistent with business necessity? a. The Privacy Act b. The Americans with Disabilities Act c. The National Labor Relations Act d. The Occupational Safety and Health Act

b. The Americans with Disabilities Act

Regarding the monitoring and surveillance of employees, an employer could legally place video cameras in which of the following locations? a. employee rest rooms b. at an employee's computer workstation c. in a changing room for company uniforms

b. at an employee's computer workstation

In a case in which two managers broke into a locked restroom and snapped a revealing photograph of a male employee while he was urinating, then circulated it around the office, the managers committed the tort of: a. false imprisonment b. intentional infliction of emotional distress c. placement in a false light d. appropriation of name or likeness

b. intentional infliction of emotional distress

Regarding workplace privacy, which of the following statements is NOT true? a. under the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, federal government employees enjoy protection from unreasonable searches and seizures while at work b. under the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, private employees enjoy protection from unreasonable searches and seizures while at work if their employers are federal contractors c. searches of a private employee's work area must be reasonable in scope d. to assert privacy rights, employees must be able to demonstrate a reasonable expectation of privacy

b. under the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, private employees enjoy protection from unreasonable searches and seizures while at work if their employers are federal contractors

Amanda is an employee at a high end department store in the HR department and has been in her office all day. After a pair of diamond earrings are found missing from the jewelry department, Mike, the store manager has every employee in the store brought together pursuant to an investigation. Which of the following is true? a. because the missing items are extremely small, Mike can order Amanda into a room to be strip searched by Hilda, the head of security b. Mike can go through the contents of Amanda's purse as long as he doesn't touch her physically c. Mike can search Amanda's desk d. Mike cannot legally conduct a search of Amanda's person, belongings or office

d. Mike cannot legally conduct a search of Amanda's person, belongings or office