Can your boss change your business email password without your consent?

1. 58

   giopskiposted 10 years ago

   Can your boss change your business email password without your consent?
   
   In my absence of roughly two months, my boss intentionally changed my business email's password to be able to access my emails but WITHOUT my consent.  Should this be a breach of one's privacy even if it's a business email?

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   1. 61

      Binrinseposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Awesome

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2. 63

   nisargmehtaposted 10 years ago

   Yes, your boss or the founder/director/cmd can request to reset the password of your business email id to company's webhosting service provider and then can easily access it. This would not be considered as a breach of one's privacy as he is the Final authority who should/must know in and out about every employee's work and communications, related to company.
   Unless, if the business email you are using is not provided by your company, then it is not possible to reset your password via requesting the service provider. The only way left here would be by hacking into, which by all means will be Breach of one's privacy.
   
   If you need any more info feel free to ask. I'd be glad to share my knowledge and experience. [Smiles]

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   1. 58

      giopskiposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for this very helpful answer. I just felt not being trusted as I have not even been informed about the change of the password.  I just woke up one day and my password won't go through.  I felt that my boss was just up for something.

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3. 71

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   No it's not a breach of privacy to force a password change. A employer owns the domain name of the company and is responsible for that company's (security). Having said that most companies issue multiple emails warning an employee that their password is about to "expire" when you get down to 10 days or so.
   If you were gone when this took place or ignored those emails then you would be locked out. Usually one call to the IT department and they will reset your system and issue you a temp password which you can change.
   One company I worked for had us changing passwords every 60 days. Eventually I just kept adding an ascending number to the end of my password instead of trying to remember completely new words.
   Lastly your employer owns the computer and your boss has a right to not only access business emails but they may also listen in on calls. Today a lot of people make their personal calls on their cell phones instead of risking being listened to.
   For sales teams it's not uncommon for a manager to run a report showing him or her the phone numbers called, how many dials were made, average talk time, and many of them require reps make notes in their CRM system detailing the results of each call.

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   1. 58

      giopskiposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The only problem I see here is that I was not informed that this is going to happen in my absence. It would seem to me that my boss just want to snoop through my emails without informing me. Thanks for this helpful answer.

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      1. 62

         tulsadefenseposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Good

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4. 47

   Ericdierkerposted 10 years ago

   Bullshit and hell no!
   If your boss lets you use your email and then decides it is his that is bullshit, The rule of thumb is "expectation" of privacy.
   Did she breach it?
   Do not role over like a snail. Get down and dirty. Or maybe you like others to abused too?
   
   "expectation" of privacy is the rule and not who owns an IP address. Look up ICANN's stuff on it, Do not be a sap. stand up for your rights.

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   1. 58

      giopskiposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Ericdierker.  I also thought the same way but then it dawned on me that there's no use stooping down to his level.  Now I know what kind of a leader he really is.  Thanks anyway.

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5. 83

   tehgybposted 5 years ago

   In the end, your work email is the company's property, and its supposed to be used for work related communications only.
   In that light, they can absolutely change your password, or even read your emails.

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6. 60

   Yazdan Aposted 4 years ago

   Only if your email is created on the company website domain, e.g. xyz@company.com.

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7. 70

   Isivwe Muoboposted 4 years ago

   I believe simple courtesy should have made your boss inform you of the intention to change the password. Anyone would feel slighted if this happened to them.

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8. 82

   carrie Lee Nightposted 4 years ago

   I feel this is unethical unless there has been a security breech and the employee is on vacation.  I believe the employee should be contacted, thus showing good faith.  I would not work for a company that would do this without me knowing.

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