Your right to privacy is practically non-existent at the fire station. We know each other's secrets-or at least someone in the station knows someone else's secret. Remember the saying "The only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them is dead"? That's a good one to keep in mind.

Privacy rights related to your use of the Internet and e-mail is an important topic. I've often heard people say, "It's not the City of XYZ's business what my e-mails say, what Web sites I visit or what software I put on the computer." But this is this is just plain wrong, especially on the computers, servers and Internet connections paid for by the City of XYZ. Of course, this also applies to you if you work for a private company, whether you use your computer on their network or not.

With that said, DO NOT expect anything you send via e-mail or the various messenger programs to be private. And DO NOT lull yourself into thinking the city or private entity you work or volunteer for will not be able to see what you've been sending, receiving or looking at. They can, they will, and they do, and you can be fired for violating a cyber policy and/or code of conduct.

Some people have tried to get around the company or city's network by dialing in on a little-used phone line. That works, and you can certainly get your e-mail and surf the Web that way; however, that action in and of itself is likely a violation of policy. And it's not that hard to catch you.

Time and time again, legal cases have found that the employer has the right to read your e-mails and review your Web logs when you are on company or department time or equipment, and discipline you in accordance with the company or department policy.

In fact, nothing you send in an e-mail or look at on the Web is worth even being mildly disciplined for, so when you're at work, be smart about what you do online.