Re: desk / cubicle privacy

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On 10/06/06, Brian wrote:
> On 10/05/06, jamie wrote:
>> On 10/04/06, eris wrote:
>>> Can anyone tell me if it is legal for a manager to pick
>>> papers off desks and read them thouroughly even if its
>>> established the paper is private?
>>> I once inadvertenly left a school application ( my
>>> daughters) on my desk and caught my boss reading it
>>> through - she also did this when it came time to
>>> reevaluate my health care benefits (provided through
>>> company), doesn't that violate HIPPA?
>>> also she entered a director's office and went through a
>>> box marked personal. Recently she entered a cubicle and
>>> read through resumes that are not for any position she
>>> oversees.
>>>
>>> I have since tried to keep everything at home that I
>>> wouldn't want anyone to see -but I found her the other day
>>> going through my drawers and looking at some birthday
>>> presents some co coworkers gave me.
>>> do I have recourse??
>>>
>>> Yes; you have the recourse of keeping personal stuff at
>> home. You have no legal expectation of privacy in the
>> workplace.
>
> I found out this is not true - They CANNOT go through your
> desk unless they have solid evidence of theft.
> People- talk to attorney's in your area - not these folks!
>>
>> No, this does not violate HIPAA. Only medical information
>> that they obtain through the group health insurance plan is
>> protected under HIPAA. And even then only in some
>> circumstances.

"I found out this is not true - They CANNOT go through your
desk unless they have solid evidence of theft.
People- talk to attorney's in your area - not these folks!"

That is completely UNTRUE. I can't imagine where you're getting
this information from.

Eris, your boss can go through pretty much whatever she likes
except for those very specific things where you clearly have an
expectation of privacy - such as your purse. If you don't want
to have your boss go through your personal things, then don't
bring them to work, much less leave them laying about on your
desk. The boss being nosey is not against the law.