ECtHR backs employee over workplace communications monitoring

ECtHR backs employee over workplace communications monitoring

September 5, 2017, The Law Society Gazette

Helena Milner-Smith is quoted by The Law Society Gazette in an article regarding the European Court of Human Rights ruling on employee privacy in a case brought by Bogdan Mihai Barbulescu. According to Milner-Smith, "The decision serves as a reminder for employers who monitor workplace communications to ensure their monitoring practices do not go beyond what is necessary for a legitimate purpose, that employees normally receive prior notice of the monitoring, and that appropriate safeguards are in place to preserve privacy in spite of the monitoring.‎ However, the Grand Chamber's ruling will have very little practical impact in the UK since these steps are already widely recognised as good practice by UK employers and reflect the requirements of existing privacy legislation."