Expert: Dan Pepper - 7/8/2008

Question
I quit my job last week. I had asked in my leeter of resignation that my company e-mail account be terminated upon my last day of work. I forwarded all my business contacts and their e-mail addresses to my boss 6 weeks ago. They have yet to shut down my account, are having my mail forwarded on to my former boss without my permission. What recourse do I have. Have they violated my "personal rights"??

Answer
With certain exceptions, your employer is free to access and manage, as it sees fit, your work email account.  You indicated that you requested that the account be terminated on your last day, but it does not appear that there was any express acknowledgment or agreement by your former employer to do so.  Again, absent certain exceptions, there is no obligation of your former employer to forward you email going to the work email account.

This post is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice.  You should consult with a qualified lawyer to advise you of your legal rights.

Dan
www.informationlaw.com