I work in accounts payable and my boss wants my passwords to my computer, email, and our network. This legal?
Asked by For a friend in California
I am concerned that if my boss has all my passwords then he can sabotage my work and make it appear that I am incompetent. Is there an agency that I can contact for help. Everybody else here at work is scared to do anything for fear of losing their jobs.

Best Answer:
Is it legal for you to give him your passwords? Yes, it is. Is it smart? Heck no! If it is against company policy, then you can tell him no, per the company policy on security, I can't. If he gives you trouble, then tell him to get approval from his boss and/or his boss' boss. You want it clearly understood higher up on the chain of command that your boss is requesting this information, why he needs this information and approval above him that it is acceptable to do this. If he gives you any grief, pick up the phone and request to call whomever established the security protocal and find put under what circumstances going against, and clearly breaking, comapny policy is ok. You clearly have issue to question the request and you have to cover yourself. If he does do something and they try to fire you, you have to reveal that you clearly and knowingly violated company security policy on top of proving it was him who screwed up. Everything he does under your name may only show your name on inquiry into the computer system. In that case, even if you're found innocent on what work was screwed up by your boss, you may still get fired for violating security policy. By any means, do not keep this to yourself. Let others know. If he attempts to release you, and it is tied into this, let him know others know about the password issue and that your first call home is going to be to a lawyer. If the firing can be tied into you rebuffing his password requests, tell him you won't be alone in the unemployment line...and it will be easier for you (than him) to find another job.

well if its your work computer and email i think he has a right to it but if he wants your personal at home email thats illegal if he keeps up find another job
Answered by barry m

Never give your passwords out - if he needs access - then your IT department should beable to give him access to your files thru his password - This would allow IT to see how edited the documented and when they were on your files
Answered by Confussedhere

I suggest you go to HR. Of course your passwords should be kept confidential. I work in an industry (biotech) where it is a violation of FDA standards to share to divulge passwords [21 CFR Part 11]. Therefore your boss would be in serious trouble for even asking you to do this. If not HR, please speak to someone in IT to get the company's position on sharing passwords. This sounds highly suspect to me and you have every right to pursue this. Hey, wait a sec - you work in Accounting and he wants this? It sounds like someone is planning some embezzlement and wants to pin it on others. Don't do it!
Answered by Wide Awake

No it's not legal, and by even asking for those things your boss has almost certainly violated his terms of employment. report his actions to HIS boss and the head of your IT department. if he's asked more than 1 person, everyone he's asked MUST report him. consider him sacked ;-)
Answered by ray d