New technology and respect for privacy at the workplace
August 2003 
Comparative study
The use of new information and communication technologies (ICT) at the workplace has spread rapidly in recent years. This raises numerous issues for employers, employees and their representatives, especially in terms of the relationship between workers' privacy and employers' need to control and monitor the use of ICT. The matter is especially topical in Europe at present, with the European Commission due to propose a Directive on workplace data protection in 2004 or 2005. This comparative study focuses on one specific issue raised by the growth of ICT at work - the relationship between internet/e-mail use at work and respect for workers' privacy. It examines: the European and national legal framework on privacy at work, data protection, and workplace internet/mail use; guidelines and codes of conduct in this area; the views and activities of the social partners; and the extent to which collective bargaining deals with such topics.
The comparative study was compiled on the basis of individual national reports submitted by EIRO's national centres. The text of each of these national reports is available below in Word format. The reports have not been edited or approved by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The national reports were drawn up in response to a questionnaire and should be read in conjunction with it.