This week we are covering materials in Chapter 9, pages 326–360,regarding workplace environment. Privacy is an important part of ourdaily lives. For example, as a student you should be aware of the FamilyRights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which is a federal law protectingschool records. Another well known federal privacy act, Health InsurancePortability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protects your healthinformation. It is obvious that a large number of individuals take forgranted that their personal information will be safe and secure whendoing business with small or large companies. However, over the pastfive years, security breaches have become a common occurrence.

There are rules and regulations that keep employee records, such associal security numbers, work evaluations and other pertinentinformation secure. All of these rules and regulations tend to benefitthe employee or individual, but what about the company?

Let’s think for a moment about that. Should a company, regardless ofsize, be able to impose on its employees or customers policies regardingcompany privacy? Should a company have the right to regulate itsemployees’ activities on their off-the-clock time? Can an employee beheld accountable for misrepresenting their employer on their personalsocial media accounts?

Your discussion post for this week is to provide your own opinion on the following questions.

• In today’s technologically advanced society, is there really privacy?Based on your own personal experiences with social media (Facebook,Twitter, Tik Tok, Instagram, or Snapchat), do you feel that individualsshould be held accountable for their actions outside of the workplace?
• Is it possible that, due to the technological advances in smartphones, tablets, and other communication devices, workplace and personalprivacy have meshed together to a point that what was once personal space is now fair game in the hiring and firing practices?
• Be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates’ posts.

Respond to your classmate.