Help! Can bosses read private chats?

For everyone in the home office with Microsoft Teams or Slack who has asked themselves this at least once: It's not that easy, but caution is advised.

You know it, sometimes it just has to come out: briefly gossip about your boss. For some, it is an important outlet to endure pressure and sometimes certain airs. However, what used to be quickly discussed with colleagues in the kitchenette now has to be done via chat for many people working from home.

But what if the boss can read along?

This could be unpleasant. But for the popular platforms Microsoft Team and Slack, according to futurezone initially be an all-clear for private chats, for example between two colleagues. At least for immediate and direct reading.

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There are ways in which the boss can access private messages.

So you shouldn't assume you're completely safe. futurezone , the provider Slack offers the option of exporting chat histories. How easy this works depends on the package. With the free plan, Slack a request with a reason. This can be an explicit consent from the employees or a legal procedure.

However, if you have the Plus plan, the boss has a self-service tool that can also be used to export private chats. However, here too there is a legal framework that can be exceeded.

According to futurezone, the situation is similar at Microsoft. Initially, private chats are not accessible here either, but private channels can also be searched eDiscovery However, the trigger for this is usually criminal proceedings.

And the emails?

careful here , as they can often be read by system administrators or administration. However, you can also encrypt your own emails using third-party tools.

System administrators also have access to user accounts and can reset passwords. In this way you can gain access to your computer account and then theoretically you also have access to the programs you are currently logged into.

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What is the legal basis?

Futurezone asked Lisa Kulmer and Nino Tlapak, lawyers for labor law and data protection law, about this. It said: “Continuous reading or even permanent monitoring of messages is not permitted under both labor and data protection law.”

However, there are “specific cases” such as suspected violations of compliance with the rules or even criminal offenses. Even backbiting has its limits if the acute suspicion of bullying is justified. Then one could argue that the boss has a duty of leadership. You should also first check whether private chats are even allowed at work. Because if not, a manager can also carry out random checks here.

Certain conditions must be met for the boss to be able to read along. There is also a legal framework within which everyone involved must operate. But there is a chance that something will fall under the wrong “eyes”. In any case, one thing seems clear: letting off steam quickly in the tea kitchen seems less complicated.

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