A code of practice has been designed by the Office of the Information Commissioner to protect employees against snooping bosses. However employers dismissed the code as being “confusing, unbalanced and badly thought out”. The code was created in order to protect employees email privacy and their IT systems. However employers argue that the code is biased towards employees and does not recognise the need for monitoring. Susannah Haan from CBI stated, “It seems to be all about what employers have to do. I don’t recall anything about what the employees’ responsibilities are. It’s not balanced”.

There appears to be varying opinions about the code form different players in the industry. The Data Protection Act agrees with the view that the code may be confusing “We have been calling for a clear framework to help business to interpret what is a very complex piece of legislation.”

“The idea about separate email and Web accounts for private use – why should employers be put to the expense of doing that? Why should they run Internet cafes for their employees?” asks Deputy head of policy at the Institute of Directors.

However Iain Bourne, strategic policy manager for the commission commented that the code is clearer than earlier drafts. “There will still be employers who do not like this code”.