Warrantless Workplace Searches of Government
WARRANTLESS WORKPLACE within which the principles outlined in SEARCHES OF GOVERNMENT O’Connor for “workplace” searches by EMPLOYEES government supervisors can be understood and applied. In sum, when a government supervisor is considering the search of a Bryan R. Lemons government employee’s workspace, a two- Branch Chief part analysis can be utilized to simplify the process. First, determine whether the There are a variety of reasons why employee has a reasonable expectation of a government supervisor might wish to privacy in the area to be searched. If a search a government employee’s reasonable expectation of privacy does workplace. For example, a supervisor exist, then consider how that expectation might wish to conduct a search to locate a can be defeated.2 Before turning to those needed file or document; the supervisor issues, however, it is necessary to first might wish to search an employee’s define exactly what is meant by the term workplace to discover whether the “workplace.” employee is misusing government property, such as a government-owned DEFINING THE “WORKPLACE” computer; or, a supervisor might seek to search an employee’s workplace because “Workplace,” as used in this he has information that the employee is article, “includes those areas and items committing a crime, such as using the that are related to work and are generally Internet to download child pornography. within the employer’s control.”3 This would include such areas as offices, desks, In situations where a public filing cabinets, and computers. However, employer
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