If I get laid off and my company laptop has personal info on it, does the company has a right to re-use it with my info on it?

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If I get laid off and my company laptop has personal info on it, does the company has a right to re-use it with my info on it?

Asked on January 24, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, New Jersey

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

If its a company laptop, they have a right to reuse it. If you leave personal information on it, while they can't use it illegally (e.g. use your passwords or credit card numbers; impersonate you; etc.) they ARE allowed to at least view it--a business may view ALL information kept on company computers or servers. (For the future, bear in mind that they can do this even while you are still employed; there are no privacy rights in information on the company's systems.) Therefore, while you cannot globally wipe the disc, therefore destroying company information and programs, you can and should delete all personal information before turning it in--and in the future, do not keep personal information on a company machine.


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