Ontario Private Investigator Practice Exam

Is monitoring an employee's email without their notification acceptable in Canada?

1. Yes, if on the company's network

2. No, it's always illegal

3. Yes, but only with a court order

4. No, unless the employee has been notified

The correct answer is: Yes, if on the company's network

Monitoring an employee's email without their notification is generally considered acceptable in Canada if it is done within the company's network. The reason for this is that employers have a legitimate interest in ensuring the proper use of company resources and protecting its systems from unauthorized use. However, it is important to note that monitoring employee emails outside of work or on personal devices without their notification is not advisable, and may not be considered legal. It is also important to have policies in place and to inform employees of potential monitoring to comply with privacy laws and maintain trust within the workplace. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not consider the context of the employer-employee relationship and the company's network. Simply put, it is not always illegal to monitor employee emails in Canada.