Interesting, but I suggest you read
http://www.privacy.gov.au/issues/p7_4.html
as from a quick read, you and the Australian privacy commissioner disagree.
that page was updated in March this year.
Perhaps without a policy in place you opinion may be valid.
Here in NZ there have been a number of employment court decisions regarding
the dismissal of staff due to breaches of company email policy - typically
pornography. Having a clear and enforced company policy seems to be the way
to go here.
Where I currently work every paper mail is opened and optionally logged into
our records system. The only exception that I am aware of is where it is
clearly junk mail or clearly marked private and confidential.
Apart from the email policy (which looks remarkably like the example
recently posted in this thread) a number of emails have gone to staff
regarding virus infections. Whilst we have never had an outbreak , I have
made it clear that if I trace it to an email sent from a staff members
personal contacts, I will pass the cost of the cleanup onto their supervisor
and leave the supervisor to talk to them. If it originated from a business
contact, then that is the cost of doing business.
regards
Dean
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Kerr [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, 10 September 2001 18:49
To: NT System Admin Issues
Subject: Re: e-mail privacy - where do we stand
This is correct only to the point of it being addressed to the company. In
the situation where the email or snail mail is directed at an individual
(even if it is via a company mail server or mail room) then it is considered
private. At least here in Australia.
Regards... Greg
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dean Cunningham" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "NT System Admin Issues" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 3:38 PM
Subject: RE: e-mail privacy - where do we stand
> This is an incorrect analogy , a postal worker is a delivery mechanism ,
no
> different to an email relay at your ISP.
> All email sent to goldcoast.qld.gov.au is the equivalent of sending snail
> mail to 135 Bundall Road, Bundall. What happens to all mail delivered
there?
> Do you have a records department that opens all mail, records it and then
> delivers to the staff??
> What if , when doing their normal duties, they found when they opened the
> plain brown wrapper a copy of playboy? do you have a feeling that the
person
> it was sent to would get in trouble?? I betcha they would.
>
> email gives the impression of privacy, but the reality is , it is all
owned
> by the company to do with what they will.
> Having a firm policy that clearly lays that out and is enforced ensures no
> misconception occurs.
>
> regards
> Dean
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MURDOCH Damian [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Monday, 10 September 2001 1:44 p.m.
> To: NT System Admin Issues
> Subject: RE: e-mail privacy - where do we stand
>
>
> Personally, I treat it exactly the same as "snail mail".
> If its not yours, its not yours and dont open it.
>
> If you as an IT person stumble across it, then you shouldnt be able to
> do anything about it.
> How many postal workers who stumble on stuff could use it lawfully ?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ryan McBride [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Monday, 10 September 2001 9:55 AM
> To: NT System Admin Issues
> Subject: OT: e-mail privacy - where do we stand
>
>
>
> Ok this is a question i would like to see answered. What is the law in
> regards to privacy of email. Who is allowed Legally to read your emails
> whilst your an employee in a company. Im sure this is a very big grey
> area and would be interested to see what all of you think. Ie: If your
> manager has it in for you, is he allowed to start shifting through all
> your emails behind your back wihtout you knowning.
>
> Also what is the deal with a IT Support person. If we should "stumble"
> across a email we wernt meant to see. Where do we stand legally on that
> as well.
>
> Thanx all in advance. Id be VERY interested to see what you all think.
> - -
> Ryan McBride (MCSE)
> Network & Comms Administrator
> Strategic Management Works
> http://www.smw.com.au <http://www.smw.com.au>
> +612-9906-9611
>
>
>
>
>
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