Legal Question in Technology Law in Kentucky

Electronic Documents on Corporate network

We specifically state that all email and internet browsing is subject to monitoring and investigation at our employer. However, I have been asked an interesting question. Do we have the right to monitor/scan all electronic documents on our corporate LAN (ie. Word, Excel, etc.)? Do we have to specify this in Written IT policies that employees are required to sign? Also, are there any legal cases regarding this and/or the monitoring of email and internet usage while on corporate LAN?

One last note, we do state that all hardware and software are property of Company X, and I feel that I should be able to suggest that anything stored on Company X equipment belongs to the company by default. Thus, scanning and monitoring Electronic documents would fall under the scope of our ownership. Again, this could be a stretch, and I guess I'm trying to decide where the employer's rights fall here.

Thanks for any help.

JD


Asked on 7/26/05, 2:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Suzanne Van Wert Van Wert Brown

Re: Electronic Documents on Corporate network

As a business owner, it is within your rights to monitor activities conducted on company equipment, however it is imperative that you set forth company policies very carefully with regard to that.

Your question is really more complicated than you think and I would advise you discuss this with an attorney. It would save your company money to consult an attorney on the front end than to hire one after a dispute arises.

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Answered on 7/30/05, 9:15 am


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