What are the laws governing employee use of company computers?

In the District of Columbia, there are laws governing the use of company computers by employees. The D.C. Office of Human Resource’s Employee & Labor Relations Handbook states that all employees must comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policies related to the security, confidentiality, and access of a company’s computer systems. The employment laws in D.C. prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on certain criteria, such as race, religion, gender, etc. Employers may not use computer systems to gather information about those protected characteristics or retaliate against an employee for exercising their rights. Employers must also ensure that their computer systems are secure and up-to-date to prevent the use of company resources for illegal activities. The same goes for employee computers, which should be equipped with up-to-date anti-virus software, firewalls, and other security features. Employers may also establish limits on the use of company computers for non-work related activities. This includes prohibiting the use of company computers for personal business, gambling, downloading inappropriate material, or any other activity that could compromise the business’s security. Finally, employers may monitor employee activity on company computers, such as tracking keystrokes, logging email or Internet access, and saving files. Employers must provide clear notice about their computer monitoring policy and obtain written permission from employees before monitoring their activity.

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What are the laws governing employee use of company computers?

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