Respect for personal life in the workplace during working hours : the inspection of employee computer files

Abstract

French labour law devoted to a right to a personal life at the time and at the workplace. In terms of inspecting employee files, French law is based on the distinction relating to the nature of the file. The employer has control only over professional records. In principle, he cannot access the files identified as personal. There is the consecration of a personal life at the time and at the workplace. But, as the line between personal and professional lives becomes increasingly blurred - especially with the development of information and communication technologies - it seems that the employer’s power of control is encroaching on more in addition to the personal life of the employee. This transparent assertion regarding the control of documents or computer files: the more the field of application of the character of professionalism widens, the more that of the personal character.