NSW email transparency draft bill
NSW email transparency draft bill
A new email Bill is being drafted in NSW to create more transparency in the work place so that employees can be told exactly what kind of email surveillance policies are carried out by their employers.
The new draft Workplace Surveillance Bill allows employers to filter emails that are considered to be spam under the Spam Act 2003, or those thought to be offensive, harassing or menacing and it demands that employees are informed of any email or Internet restrictions.
The Bill also insists that employers can only impose email or Internet restriction if the employer has an email or Internet policy and that employees have been notified of this policy.
David Banes, the technical director for MessageLabs said: "We see this legislation as protecting both employees and employers. Both employees and employers have rights and this legislation is simply telling employers to put their cards on the table.
"It's important that companies have email and Internet security policies that they communicate to their employees. This ensures that employers are protected if they take disciplinary action against an employee for using email or the Internet to harass other employees or in some other way that may be detrimental to the employer."
Banes believes that it creates a healthier relationship between the employer and the employee if email and Internet restrictions are out in the open. He says that greater awareness over transparency instils more confidence and trust within an organisation.
In addition, many organisations need to have more control over email, Internet and video communication and knowledge of security policies also makes employees feel more comfortable.
Related Article: