Joseph W. Ambash writes: With major defense, technology and financial services industries, Massachusetts has lots of secrets to keep. The state led the country in technology licenses in 2012. Between 2008 and 2012, patents granted to Massachusetts companies and individuals rose 37 percent — a rate second only to California. As criminal enterprises become more…
Category: Workplace
FDA on Defensive for Snooping on Employees’ Computers
Charles S. Clark reports: A once-secret move by the Food and Drug Administration to monitor the computer screens and keystrokes of five scientists suspected of press leaks in 2010 was blasted on Wednesday as a “Big Brother” tactic out of George Orwell’s 1984 and a damaging disservice to agency whistleblowers. A joint report from Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and…
Employee Criminally Prosecuted For Taking Employer’s Documents
Jason C. Gavejian writes: A New Jersey Appellate Court recently ruled that an employee who removes or copies her employer’s documents for use in her whistleblower or discrimination case may be prosecuted criminally for stealing. In State v. Saavedra, the employee had taken highly confidential original documents owned by her employer, contending that she did so…
Ca: Employer’s access of medical records for medical leave a violation of privacy
Meghan Cowan reports: A recent decision dealing with the collection, use and disclosure of employees’ personal information provides a noteworthy lesson for employers when managing sensitive employee medical information. In a December 2013 decision of the Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner, an employee made a complaint under Alberta’s privacy legislation, the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), alleging…