Daphyne Saunders Thomas

Human resource information systems: An overview of current ethical and legal issues

Human resource managers must manage a plethora of personnel activities associated with company employees: recruiting, training, pro moting, demoting, and recordkeeping. Technol ogy has made it easier and cheaper HR managers to gather and maintain an infinite amount of data about present and prospective employees. Dawes (1994) reports that todays information systems demand a level of technical sophistication and managerial skill far beyond what was required by the simple recording of standardized transac tions in stand-alone files. An essential component in the success of managing this data is the Human Resource Information System (HRIS), a database of personal information about each employee. Because of the power to access and use HRIS data, HR managers must be aware of the ethical and legal issues associated with both the creation and use of those data in the HRIS.

Legal considerations of Internet use ‐ issues to be addressed

With an estimated over 40 million Internet users all over the world, things that once happened only in “real life” are starting to occur in this virtual world. This Internet, just like the physical world, cannot rely on laws alone to keep order. The rules that regulate behavior, the policies for what is acceptable and the laws that pertain to activities have developed and will continue to emerge over time. However, conflicts of interest are inevitable and wherever conflict occurs, the government will regulate on matters including e‐mail, data theft, piracy, search and seizure, electronic banking, offensive behavior, and other legal liability issues.

Cyberspace pornography: problems with enforcement

Considers that, in addition to all the positive attributes of the Internet, negatives are bound to emerge. Negative influences include the ability of children to access information that is not suitable for their age and the absence of laws or legal legislation to limit this access to the material. Laws are in existence prohibiting young people under the age of 18 years from accessing sexually explicit or sexually deviant materials. The problem with the Internet is the fact that there is no sanction limiting people from posting material of this kind. Warns that as an increasing number of children get online, solutions to these controversial issues must be discussed openly.

Information Compilation and Disbursement: Moral, Legal and Ethical Considerations

The widespread collection of data about individuals is increasing at dramatic rates as more and more organizations increase their desire for information in order to develop new markets for products, gain a competitive edge, or to expand their operations. The paramount concern today is not focused entirely on halting data collection but is primarily concerned with the disbursement and use of information. Information and activity are being monitored and sold to marketers, credit bureaus, insurance companies and government agencies, for their specific use. The misuse of this information and the concern for invasion of an individual′s privacy are issues that are not being fully addressed and controlled. Legislation to monitor this information transfer is lagging far behind the rapid growth and disbursement of technology. Measures must be instituted to regulate this activity so that information is used for its intended, acceptable purpose and not freely distributed.

Control of the Internet

Investigates the information highway and all of its various components, and wonders how the Internet will affect the way in which people live. Shows that there are many problems to be resolved before open use can be granted, regarding unscrupulous users and misuse. Concludes that the field is growing at such a rate that the many legal questions spawned need to be addressed, in particular by participants.