Employers may access emails on company-owned devices, networks, or accounts used for business, as these lack a reasonable expectation of privacy. Louisiana’s Electronic Surveillance Act (La. R.S. 15:1301 et seq.) prohibits intentional interception of electronic communications without consent, except in the ordinary course of business. Federal ECPA allows monitoring with employee consent via policies or for legitimate business needs.​
Access to Personal Accounts
Louisiana law (La. R.S. 51:1953) bans employers from requesting passwords to personal online accounts or penalizing employees for refusing. Exceptions permit access to employer-provided devices or services, and investigations into unauthorized data transfers without needing personal logins. Employers can monitor their networks and inadvertently obtained credentials but cannot use them for personal accounts.​
Data Privacy Laws
Louisiana’s Database Security Breach Notification Law (La. R.S. 51:3071 et seq.) requires businesses to notify affected residents within 60 days of a breach involving personal information. No comprehensive state privacy law exists, but employers must implement reasonable cybersecurity like encryption and training. Federal laws like CFAA protect against unauthorized access beyond business authorization.​
Cybersecurity Obligations
Businesses face civil penalties for failing breach notifications and must maintain robust security under FTC guidelines. Employee training and audits help comply with laws protecting sensitive data in workplaces. These rules balance employer oversight with employee privacy on company systems.​
SOURCES
[1](https://www.superlawyers.com/resources/employment-law-employee/can-my-employer-monitor-my-emails-and-internet-usage/)
[2](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2022/08/the-right-and-wrong-ways-to-electronically-monitor)
[3](https://epic.org/ecpa/)
[4](https://bja.ojp.gov/program/it/privacy-civil-liberties/authorities/statutes/1285)
[5](https://blog.eyespysupply.com/2024/04/01/understanding-wiretapping-and-spy-camera-laws-in-louisiana/)
