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"Privacy In Practice: Top 10 Workplace Q&As"

Submitted by: Greg Gowe on 2010/07/13  
Topics: - Computer Use & Social Media - Corporate Transactions - Lawyers' Publications - PIPEDA - Privacy - Recruiting & Hiring - Reference Checks - Top 10 Lists - Workplace Policies
Jurisdiction: - Ontario

Andrea York, a lawyer at Blakes, wrote a paper entitled, "Privacy In Practice: Top 10 Workplace Q&As" for the Six-Minute Employment Lawyer conference that was presented by The Law Society of Upper Canada in Toronto on June 15, 2010. 

The 10 questions she addresses are:

  1. Which Law Applies?

    • PIPEDA
    • PHIPA
    • Arbitral jurisprudence
    • Common law

  2. What kind of employee consent is needed?

  3. What kind of background checks are permitted? When?

  4. Can an employer disclose employee information to others without consent?

    • Workplace violence
    • Sale of business
    • References
    • Polce and governmental agency requests

  5. Are employers permitted to monitor employee email or internet activities?

  6. Can employers install video cameras at work?

  7. Can employers install biometric security systems?

  8. Do employer have to give employees access to their personnel files?

  9. Can employers transfer employee personal information to affiliates in the U.S.?

  10. What kinds of policies should employers implement?