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Privacy and Job security
Final Exam Lecture 5
24
Business
Undergraduate 2
12/11/2012

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Term
Traditional "at-will" rule
Definition
Either party can terminate an employment contract of indefinite duration for any or no reason
- Does not apply to contracts for employment for a definite period of time
Term
What is the at-will rule limited to today?
Definition
1. Statutory restrictions (i.e. anti-discrimination laws)
2. Public policy
3. Implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing
4. Employment promises
Term
What may an employee in a state recognizing the at-will rule do once fired?
Definition
Sue an employer for wrongful discharge or unjust dismissal
Term
The 3 kinds of public policy exceptions to "employment at-will" where an employee is fired for:
Definition
1. Refusing to commit an unlawful act
2. Performing a public obligation (e.g. jury or military duty, whistle blowing)
3. Exercising a legal right or privilege
Term
Whistle-blower
Definition
An employee who publicly discloses dangerous, illegal, or improper behavior by an employer
Term
What does a duty of good faith and fair dealing prohibit?
Definition
Firing in bad faith or that amounts to unfair dealing
- About 25% of states recognize this exception
Term
Breach of Promise
Definition
Employer who breaks a promise to an employee may be liable for breach of contract (even though it isn't a binding contract)
- based on promises made to an employee before or during employment
Term
How may employers avoid liability of breach of promise?
Definition
Inserting disclaimers of job security in employment applications and employment manuals
Term
Does the US constitution apply to private employment?
Definition
No
Term
What do federal and state laws cover in terms of privacy?
Definition
- Federal privacy laws typically apply only to federal employees
- State law covers private sector workers
Term
To whom does the Employee Polygraph Protection Act apply?
Definition
Private employers and current or prospective employees
Term
What does the Employee Polygraph Protection Act prohibit?
Definition
1. Requiring, suggesting, requesting, or causing employees or prospective employees to take lie detector tests;
2. Using, accepting, referring to, or inquiring about the results of lie detectors tests; and/or
3. Discriminating against or threatening to discriminate against employees or prospective employees because of the results of lie detector tests or their refusal to take a lie detector test
Term
What types of employers are exempt from the Employee Polygraph Protection Act?
Definition
1. Government
2. Private firms with security-related interests
3. Private firms investigating economic loss
Term
What type of protection do employees have against Drug and Alcohol Tests?
Definition
No protection against private employers who require drug and alcohol tests
Term
What must be true for public employers to drug/alcohol test employees under the 4th amendment?
Definition
1. Reasonable basis for suspecting employee drug or alcohol use on the job exists
2. Drug or alcohol use threatens public interest or public safety
Term
Records and References of employees?
Definition
Most states allow employees to access their personnel files, but limit access by third parties
- Employers who give such info to third parties, such as in a reference letter, may be liable for civil claims of defamation or invasion of privacy
Term
General rule regarding employer searches
Definition
Searches by private employers are permissible
Term
Public employees and employer searches
Definition
Public employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy in a particular area such as an office, desk, or files
- Search is constitutional if it is reasonable under the circumstances
Term
How does an employer determine reasonableness in regards to employer searches?
Definition
Balancing the employee's legitimate privacy expectations against the gov'ts need for supervision and control of the workplace, with more intrusive searches demanding a higher degree of justification
Term
What type of legal documentation is needed for employer searches?
Definition
Supreme court held that neither probable cause not a warrant is necessary for such searches to proceed
Term
How can employers monitor the workplace?
Definition
By video, telephone, computer workstation, television, and meta detectors
Term
How does an employee usually consent to employer monitoring?
Definition
Impliedly when he/she remains after firms notify employees that email, voicemail, internet use, and other activities are subject to monitoring
Term
How do company policies affect employer monitoring?
Definition
Company policies may limit the ways employees can use company computer systems, and often subject employees who violate the policy to disciplinary penalties such as discharge
Term
What 2 things must be true for an employee to sue employers for conducting unreasonable searches or monitoring?
Definition
1. Employee has a reasonable expectation of privacy; and
2. Employer search or monitoring is unreasonable or serves no legitimate business interest
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