March 28, 2011



Kevin O'Neill gives comments about the impact of the recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision in R. v. Cole.

Excerpt:

Kevin O'Neill, an employment and human-rights lawyer with Fasken Martineau in Vancouver, said the ruling underscores the need for employers to have "very clear rules and policies" in place around the everyday use of workplace devices in and out of the office.

Namely, he said, employees should be made well aware "that there is no expectation of privacy."

O'Neill said most companies these days allow and expect personal use of company computers and other devices, but it's important to spell out exactly what conduct is permissible and what isn't. Most policies talk about "offensive" or "illegal material," he said.