[Darren Brimhall]

The 'Key' is Work Related.

Unless it is nessicarry to perform a job function, then the inforation can be accessed. The accessing of personal corrispondence falls into a very narrow deffination of work related access, unless the company in question can prove that said employee is conducting themselves in a manner that is harmful to the company (selling company information, revealing company secrets, illegally altering company records and other company information (which does occur at the IRS more times that you realize.)).

Many of these reasons fal under Internal Threats, which can range from the above listed to the simple use of company computer equiptment to download music, videos and to play games all of which can allow virius' and hanckers to attack the company mainframe.

In this Thread, the discussions are largely along the lines of UMAX Violations which are untollerable--and most likely why the Company in question lost the Court Battle with the dismissed employee, their search of his personal E-Mail did not fall under Work Related and therefore lost the case.

Darren Brimhall