Privacy Protection in the Digital Workplace

• Author: Patrick Flaherty and Sarah Whitmore
• Pages: 9-23

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PrivacyProtection

intheDigitalWorkplace

Patrick Flaherty and Sarah Whitmore*

Weasasocietydonttoleratediscriminationintheworkplaceorharassment

Whywouldwetolerateinvasionofprivacy

PrivacyhasbeendescribedbytheSupremeCourtofCanadaasanes-

sential component of what itmean s to be freeProtectionofanin-

dividualsright to privacy is predicated on the assumption that all

informationaboutapersonisinafundamentalwayhisownforhimto

communicateorretainTheimportanceofprivacyhasbeenacknow-

ledgedasafundamentalhumanrightbutjustasnootherrecognized

human rights or Charterrightsareabsolutetherighttoprivacymust

also yield to competing rights in cer tain circumst ances In the work-

place the employers rights to monitor qualit y control and employee

productivityaswellastoensureasafeandharassmentfreeworkplace

 BothofTorysLLPTorontoPatrickFlahertypractisescivillitigationandhasacted

ascounselinavarietyofmaerspertainingtoprivacyreputationandprotection

ofintangiblebusinessassetsSarahWhitmoreisamemberoftheLitigationand

DisputeResolutionPracticewithmedialawandemploymentlawamongher

practicefocuses

 AngelaZboroskyPersonalInformationPrivacyandElectronicDocument

ActfromthePerspectiveofEmployeesandUnionsAddressdeliveredatthe

CanadianBarAssociationMidwinterMeetingofCouncilWhitehorse

Februaryunpublishedat

 RvOConnorSCRatpara

 RvTesslingSCCatpara