Someone elses emails

Uncertain

Nicki wrote: »

You went into a colleagues sent mails folder when you had no reason to do so, saw that she had sent some emails to another colleague and decided to open and read them. You did not ask for permission first, nor does it appear you had any business reason to take this action. It was not for example that you were looking for a key piece of information to complete a work task, which would have been likely to be contained in emails passing between these two colleagues.

Oh well, that has provided a defence just in case the OP hadn't thought of it!

RedSoleShoes

Nicki wrote: »

You went into a colleagues sent mails folder when you had no reason to do so, saw that she had sent some emails to another colleague and decided to open and read them. You did not ask for permission first, nor does it appear you had any business reason to take this action. It was not for example that you were looking for a key piece of information to complete a work task, which would have been likely to be contained in emails passing between these two colleagues.

If you don't think this is underhand, there is no hope for you! You might as well have rifled through the temp's handbag to be honest, or checked the texts on her mobile phone. You had no authority or reason to do what you did other than nosiness, and I would suspect this kind of behaviour is not a one off, hence why these two colleagues at least dislike you.

Wow, I'm glad I don't work with you! Or maybe I do as you seem extremely defensive about emails being read.....

I have nothing to hide in my work emails so it wouldn't bother me if someone looked at them.

I think your handbag reference is hardly comparative.

RedSoleShoes

Jarndyce wrote: »

And in doing so you have clearly committed disciplinary offences whether or not there are any policies which specifically prohibit such actions or behaviour.

What disciplinary offence have i committed if there are no policies in relation to this?

scheming_gypsy

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

What disciplinary offence have i committed if there are no policies in relation to this?

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/monitoring_at_work

Even the company itself has to be careful of what it does in regards to monitoring. as strange as it sounds you've invaded a person's privacy and contravened the human rights act (section 8 i think).

There was a case where a worker took their boss (the council if i remember correctly) to court over it for monitoring their calls without their authorisation.

getmore4less

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

I have only told one person at work, and i completely trust her. The 'people' are my boyfriend, family member and friend, so not anyone who would get me trouble at work.

NEVER trust people you work with.

Did you learn anything when you read the emails.

Uncertain

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

What disciplinary offence have i committed if there are no policies in relation to this?

I doubt if your policies specifically say you must not pour a mug of hot coffee over your boss's head but I imagine they would still discipline you for it!

Jarndyce

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

What disciplinary offence have i committed if there are no policies in relation to this?

Where do you want me to start? At the very least you have breached the trust and confidence of the colleague and your employer, and your colleague's right to privacy.

somethingcorporate

I think it is pretty shameful behavior snooping through a colleagues emails. Surely you should know better? It's common sense. If I was snooping I would expect my bosses to come down pretty hard on me for this, even with our companies relatively relaxed IT policy about personal use.

If you don't have the common decency to respect the professional / personal privacy of your colleagues perhaps they are correct in not liking you!?

My advice would be to keep your mouth shut about your unprofessional and possibly criminal activity and learn from it. If all it costs you is a couple of professional relationships then count yourself lucky.

pimento

Where I work, the person walking away from their unlocked computer would be in breach if the IT Policy.

If I sit at a desk where someone is logged in and I need to use the PC, I log them out and log myself in.

Nicki

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

Wow, I'm glad I don't work with you!

Me too. I'd fire you on the spot if I caught you doing anything like this and take whatever employment law consequences came for not following correct procedures

Or maybe I do as you seem extremely defensive about emails being read.....

I don't slag anyone off by email, but I do send emails which contain sensitive information, such as other people's salary, pay reviews etc, and legally privileged info. So I would regard it as a gross invasion of privacy if anyone read my emails without express permission

I have nothing to hide in my work emails so it wouldn't bother me if someone looked at them.

I think your handbag reference is hardly comparative.

Why not? You deliberately and with no excuse went through another person's correspondence. It doesn't matter whether it was work related or personal to be honest. If you can't see why what you did was wrong, it suggests you are not good with boundaries

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