Is it legal for my employer to open mail addressed to me?
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Is it legal for my employer to open mail addressed to me?
My employer or other executive opens all the mail that comes to the office. If
they are not in, 1 of 2 other staff do it – the manager level and a staff member. They have even opened mail that was marked confidential that was addressed
directly to someone. This aggravates all the employees of all levels. The employer knows this but still continues the practice. I was wondering if we had any legal ground to stand on.
Asked on June 29, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
If mail is sent to at work, then yes, your employer can open it. Since it is being sent to work, it is going through the office mail room, etc. which gives your compny the right to open the it. This is the same as you employer having the right to monitor your email on a company server or your website viewing on the company internet.Additionally, if it's going to you at work, your employer could reasonably believe it is business related mail. And a company can obviouly open business mail. Bottom line, going forward, don't have your personal mail sent to the office.
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