Privacy in the workplace

[Eugenia Carter]

Michael,

You've received some really good responses so far. I know I wouldn't want to
have a direct confrontation with my supervisor, were I in your shoes, and I
would seek background info to support my reasons not to give her my
password. I subscribe to MSN and AOL, both post repeatedly - do not give
your password to anyone EVEN to one of their employees.

You might want to check the internet yourself for current information for
personal privacy of passwords. (Avery is really good at finding obscure
lists so he may be able to help.) If that fails, you might want to check
with an attorney yourself to see what the legal situation in your state is.

If all else fails, I think Ed gives you the best advise. Give it to her and
then change it, immediately.

Gina Carter
Charlotte, NC

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert B. Edwardsen <edwardsn@rpa.net>
To: caut@ptg.org <caut@ptg.org>
Date: Wednesday, September 16, 1998 6:00 AM
Subject: Re: Privacy in the workplace


>Give and the required information and then change it.
>
>Rob Edwardsen
>
>michael wathen wrote:
>
>> My supervisor an assistant dean for our school has formally requested
>> that everyone in her charge deliver to her by a certain date their
>> respective email usernames and passwords.  She says they will be kept in
>> a secure place and used only in the event of an emergency.  I responded
>> in email saying that I was uncomfortable giving this information to
>> anyone.  I stated that I use email for work, family, and an education
>> degree.  If an emergency came about then I suggested that she contact
>> the administrator of email services for the university with a request
>> for the information.  She is insisting that I must comply with her
>> wishes and says that everything that comes through the server at the
>> university is univeristy property.
>>
>> I have to admit I am stunned!  What do you guys think.
>
>
>