Q: Can my employer view my personal emails on my work computer, that was sent by outside scource?

A: If you never logged into your personal email on your work computer, your employer has no right to force you to open your personal email on your work computer.

If you used your work computer to access your personal email, your employer may have a right access the personal email that were accessed on your work computer depending on the wording of their computer/email policies. However, even then it should not authorize wholesale access to all your email; only email opened on your work computer.

The take away is DO NOT use your work computer for personal or non-work related matters.

A: Under California law, your employer generally cannot view your personal emails on your work computer if you have never accessed your personal email account on that device. Here are a few key points:

1. California's Constitution includes a right to privacy, which extends to private communications.

2. If you have never logged into your personal email account on your work computer, your employer should not have access to those emails.

3. However, if you have accessed your personal email account on your work computer, even once, your employer may argue that you have no reasonable expectation of privacy for those emails on the company device.

4. Your employer can monitor and access any communications sent or received through your work email account, as it is considered company property.

It's essential to keep your personal and work communications separate by not using your work devices or network for personal matters. Always use your own devices for personal email, and refrain from using your work email for non-work-related communications.

If you believe your employer has illegally accessed your personal emails, consider consulting with an employment attorney to discuss your rights and potential legal recourse.