California votes in email spying

Legislation in California which forces employers to advise staff if their emails are being monitored has been vetoed by the State Governor, Gray Davis. He reportedly stated that the legislation would leave companies open to unjust lawsuits and would damage the rights of employers.

Employee monitoring is accused of breaching basic human rights, however, a report this year by the American Management Association revealed almost a third of all US companies monitor their employees' emails.

As a result of the State Governor's decision, companies don't have to advise their employees if they are inspecting their electronic correspondence.

The proposed legislation insisted companies seek employee consent before monitoring email. The system would also have forced companies to make the system public knowledge so employees would know if emails are under examination.

Davis insists that companies have a right to monitor employee performance, both to guard company property and to protect themselves from being held legally accountable for email content.