Social Media and Privacy Law for Employers – Hiring, Firing and Managing Reputation, 2nd Edition + E-Book

Social Media and Privacy Law for Employers – Hiring, Firing and Managing Reputation, 2nd Edition by Rosemary Bocska is a comprehensive review of social media and privacy issues in the Canadian workplace. It provides an insightful overview of a new and complex space where employers and employees both have a social media presence. It also highlights issues faced by employers such as employee productivity, privacy, and the right to discipline and monitor employee activity on social media. This book addresses these issues at the various stages of an employment relationship and helps to define the boundaries between work and personal life.

Features of This Book
Social Media and Privacy Law for Employers – Hiring, Firing and Managing Reputation, 2nd Edition provides helpful information and guidance for readers, including:

• Templates for policies that can be implemented in the workplace
• Checklists and sample precedents to help businesses navigate complex privacy laws
• Pragmatic charts and diagrams for ease of reference
• A complimentary E-Book for quick access

What’s New In This Edition

• Updated case law and statutes:
  • Every chapter now incorporates current statutory references and case law, including major decisions from Ontario, Alberta, and federal courts such as Metrolinx v ATU Local 1587 (2025 ONCA 415), PR Construction Ltd. v Colony Management Inc. (2025 ABKB 293) and Society of United Professionals v. Electrical Safety Authority (Chan Grievance) (2025 O.L.A.A. 119)
  • Reflects recent changes to employment standards, privacy, and human-rights legislation across provinces
• Enhanced coverage of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and privacy:
  • New discussion of AI in recruitment and the employment relationship
  • Detailed analysis of AI bias, data reliability and federal guidance on ethical use
  • Expanded commentary on electronic monitoring obligations under Ontario’s Working for Workers Act, 2021
• Discussion of post-employment data security and reputation management:
  • Introduces standardized employee-exit checklists for data and device return, and new best practices for wiping BYOD devices while preserving personal content
  • Adds advanced treatment of social-media ownership, confidentiality, and fiduciary obligations post-employment, including defamation and reputation-management case law such as Kumar v Khurana and Civeo Corp v Unite Here Local 40

Who Should Read This Book

• Small businesses owners who have questions such as how much privacy employees have, how readily their emails or internet use can be accessed by the employer, how much surveillance can be done on employees, etc.
• Business management who have to implement the employer-driven monitoring
• Lawyers in general practice who advise small business and who many need to draft employee monitoring and privacy policies
• Employment lawyers who provide clients with employment and labour law advice as it relates to issues surrounding privacy and social media, and who must draft relevant policies for clients
• Human Resources professionals who need a resource that addresses everyday employment issues so they don't have to engage outside counsel
• In-house lawyers who are responsible for staying up-to-date on social media and privacy law to ensure company policies are aligned with laws