Legal Question in Family Law in California
At my former place of work, I began a relationship with a co-worker (let's call him Steve). It was mutual. We exchanged conversations through work email and work instant messenger. I had another co-worker (let's call him John) who I considered a friend that I exchanged work instant messages with. Apparently, now that I am not at that place of work, it has come to my attention that some of these instant message conversations with John have been sent to management and management has told Steve about these. In these instant messages John and I are talking about my relationship with Steve - good and bad parts. In all honesty, I am worried that Steve will find out what is in these messages and will get angry with me. Is management allowed to share these conversations with Steve?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Unfortunately, everything, and I mean everything down to the last bit and byte, that you put on an employer's computer system belongs to the employer. You have zero privacy rights in any of it. Management can do whatever they want with it.