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Can porn spam be concidered Sexual Harassment to employees?
We have a relatively new employee (manager) here who has recieved two or three pornagraphic spam e-mails in her inbox.

She has sent an e-mail to upper management stating

"This is now border line harassing! Some employees would consider this
sexual harassment."

We are doing what we can with our limited resources right now. We don't host our own e-mail servers, therefore rely mostly on the ISP's to filter to most obvious spam. To make matters worse we are using Outlook Express for now and rely heavily on e-mail for customer orders -- therefore we can't risk false positives in filtering spam. It's never been much of a problem before -- just a slight nuisance.

Nobody likes to get spam - I especially dislike pornagraphics spam. My qestion is: can the company be held liable for unsolicited e-mails in an employees inbox?

What do you think?
Posted: 04/05/2006 @ 12:32 PM (PDT)
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Location: Largo, Florida
Member since: 06/22/2001

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Can porn spam be concidered Sexual Harassment to employees?sostermann@... | 04/05/2006 @ 12:32 PM (PDT)
The answer is yes and nojmgarvin | 04/05/2006 @ 12:59 PM (PDT)
butDr Dij | 04/06/2006 @ 02:40 PM (PDT)
What is harassmentArtGal | 04/07/2006 @ 05:35 AM (PDT)
Wrong answer jmgarvin! Porn spam IS Sexual HarassmentScoid | 04/07/2006 @ 09:57 AM (PDT)
Another Wiring Closet Lawyersprdave32 | 04/08/2006 @ 05:29 AM (PDT)
Holy Mackerel!Scoid | 04/08/2006 @ 01:42 PM (PDT)
If the person was incompetent...~Omega~ | 04/10/2006 @ 08:23 AM (PDT)
Depends on where you livemgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 10:36 AM (PDT)
I whole-heartedly agree, boot 'em if you can. I...SilentBob | 04/11/2006 @ 02:13 PM (PDT)
Didn't mean it to sound so harshsprdave32 | 04/13/2006 @ 05:44 PM (PDT)
If they were truly incompetentTonytheTiger | 04/14/2006 @ 01:14 PM (PDT)
Simple Solutionmarkml@... | 04/14/2006 @ 02:29 PM (PDT)
you know your a cry babythetracker1099@... | 04/08/2006 @ 10:32 PM (PDT)
I Agree with You and George Carlin!Scoid | 04/09/2006 @ 12:45 PM (PDT)
McDonald's case.coolrobc | 04/10/2006 @ 09:20 AM (PDT)
define 'harassment'dlmeyer@... | 04/10/2006 @ 09:36 AM (PDT)
"FWIW: if an employee raised such a complaint t...coolrobc | 04/10/2006 @ 01:09 PM (PDT)
Yes ... AND No!dlmeyer@... | 04/10/2006 @ 08:18 AM (PDT)
A Mac...??sprdave32 | 04/13/2006 @ 05:58 PM (PDT)
No, I do not believe it.mgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 10:19 AM (PDT)
So...gizzymogremlin | 04/13/2006 @ 04:00 AM (PDT)
20 years ago, I told people this is where this would be goingJohnMcGrew@... | 04/13/2006 @ 04:58 AM (PDT)
Quite the contrary (unfortunately)daveo2000 | 04/13/2006 @ 06:32 AM (PDT)
NonsenseJohnMcGrew@... | 04/13/2006 @ 01:44 PM (PDT)
Sadly, I'm not sure which laws you refer to...daveo2000 | 04/17/2006 @ 04:43 AM (PDT)
The laws to which I refer...JohnMcGrew@... | 05/05/2006 @ 04:09 AM (PDT)
John M.--you are sooooooo rightjacksdaddy1@... | 04/13/2006 @ 02:10 PM (PDT)
Redirect the blame?nicholson.eric@... | 04/11/2006 @ 10:38 AM (PDT)
Ideally, yes... butdaveo2000 | 04/13/2006 @ 06:40 AM (PDT)
Letter to the Workplace Inboxschwana | 04/11/2006 @ 06:04 PM (PDT)
Good grief, just how bad are your filters?DC Guy | 04/05/2006 @ 01:11 PM (PDT)
JurisdictionsJamesRL | 04/05/2006 @ 02:14 PM (PDT)
I have to wonderToo Old For IT | 04/06/2006 @ 09:55 AM (PDT)
never heard of it before but worth a try, along with no-ip.com service...UncleRob | 04/06/2006 @ 09:22 PM (PDT)
Fire her. this is the best solution because it ...chris.tann@... | 04/05/2006 @ 02:57 PM (PDT)
not so fastdawgit | 04/05/2006 @ 03:13 PM (PDT)
Reminds me of when ...Too Old For IT | 04/06/2006 @ 09:59 AM (PDT)
Fire her? No way.Let her grow up!michael_orton@... | 04/06/2006 @ 05:30 AM (PDT)
Not soOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 09:50 AM (PDT)
False +Jellimonsta | 04/06/2006 @ 08:30 PM (PDT)
Zip zippo nilOz_Media | 04/10/2006 @ 10:18 AM (PDT)
If you have to check quaratine daily...mgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 11:44 AM (PDT)
yes sosasiv | 04/10/2006 @ 06:25 AM (PDT)
Yes so, read it this timeOz_Media | 04/10/2006 @ 10:22 AM (PDT)
http://www.bluebottle.net/thestorys@... | 04/11/2006 @ 05:37 AM (PDT)
HOW completely wrong you areOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 09:46 AM (PDT)
Must be different in Oz, but here in Ohio ...Too Old For IT | 04/06/2006 @ 10:00 AM (PDT)
First of all you are wrong:Oz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 10:12 AM (PDT)
Dear EinsteinRNR1995@... | 04/10/2006 @ 06:16 AM (PDT)
Liste to what you just said....Einstein, LOL! :DOz_Media | 04/10/2006 @ 10:37 AM (PDT)
Bad analogy.mgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 12:17 PM (PDT)
Land of OZRNR1995@... | 06/15/2006 @ 09:01 AM (PDT)
Not if there is a company handbook/policydavid.pennington@... | 04/11/2006 @ 06:35 AM (PDT)
Not hereJamesRL | 04/06/2006 @ 10:16 AM (PDT)
Just another reason working in Canada is betterOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 10:31 AM (PDT)
But what do you really get?mgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 12:26 PM (PDT)
90 day probationary period for new employees...UncleRob | 04/06/2006 @ 09:19 PM (PDT)
True in Ontario but is it ethical?oldbag | 04/07/2006 @ 08:42 AM (PDT)
Investigate and actwizardtranslations@... | 04/10/2006 @ 04:38 AM (PDT)
common sense vs. pissing contestsjacksdaddy1@... | 04/13/2006 @ 02:50 PM (PDT)
Down here, viability of wrongful discharge suit would depend on the state.deepsand | 04/11/2006 @ 11:33 AM (PDT)
do please be aware of vastly different jurisdictionsmgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 11:49 AM (PDT)
oh yeah - thats the way to avoid a lawsuitShawn_W | 04/06/2006 @ 10:27 AM (PDT)
Fire her for....inspector3500@... | 04/10/2006 @ 07:26 AM (PDT)
You're prime for a lawsuitblarman | 04/10/2006 @ 08:43 AM (PDT)
its got nothing to do with not respecting womensasiv | 04/11/2006 @ 08:39 AM (PDT)
You've obviously never been a partyblarman | 04/20/2006 @ 07:31 AM (PDT)
YES.!.dawgit | 04/05/2006 @ 03:07 PM (PDT)
What law?gralfus | 04/06/2006 @ 09:01 AM (PDT)
depends on locationdawgit | 04/06/2006 @ 09:15 AM (PDT)
Glad we aren't SOXToo Old For IT | 04/06/2006 @ 10:04 AM (PDT)
unfortunatly :-(dawgit | 04/06/2006 @ 10:23 AM (PDT)
SOX does not cover every businessfaradhi | 04/06/2006 @ 11:21 AM (PDT)
There's one for you too..dawgit | 04/06/2006 @ 01:02 PM (PDT)
Regulations Yes. SOX Nofaradhi | 04/06/2006 @ 02:16 PM (PDT)
SOX pertains to publicly traded companiesmgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 12:32 PM (PDT)
That would beOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 09:52 AM (PDT)
Postinibschaettle@... | 04/07/2006 @ 08:45 AM (PDT)
There are programsdawgit | 04/05/2006 @ 03:21 PM (PDT)
at the very least, swap outlook express for another free email client...UncleRob | 04/06/2006 @ 09:26 PM (PDT)
Can't affordDouble DeBo | 04/13/2006 @ 03:10 AM (PDT)
Thank yousostermann@... | 04/05/2006 @ 06:12 PM (PDT)
Don't Fall For itjc2it | 04/06/2006 @ 09:46 AM (PDT)
CA's spam filerToo Old For IT | 04/06/2006 @ 10:07 AM (PDT)
Beating a dead horsemgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 12:36 PM (PDT)
No!zlitocook@... | 04/05/2006 @ 06:15 PM (PDT)
Legal DecisiontEA-TiME | 04/05/2006 @ 06:42 PM (PDT)
Of course you're at fault.Absolutely | 04/06/2006 @ 02:57 AM (PDT)
I agreesMoRTy71 | 04/06/2006 @ 05:47 AM (PDT)
I'm not a legal expert eitherAbsolutely | 04/06/2006 @ 05:53 PM (PDT)
question...UncleRob | 04/06/2006 @ 09:02 PM (PDT)
Not the company's responsibility...wizardtranslations@... | 04/10/2006 @ 05:00 AM (PDT)
Out-sourcing doesn't discharge yourob mekel | 04/06/2006 @ 06:23 AM (PDT)
Out-sourcing?Absolutely | 04/06/2006 @ 06:09 PM (PDT)
Depends on the contract.rob mekel | 04/07/2006 @ 12:43 AM (PDT)
1 Linux mail serverAbsolutely | 04/07/2006 @ 06:57 PM (PDT)
It is very unlikelyrob mekel | 04/10/2006 @ 02:17 AM (PDT)
don't be so quick...UncleRob | 04/06/2006 @ 03:01 PM (PDT)
Been there, done that.Bassplayer and Drummer | 04/06/2006 @ 06:22 AM (PDT)
Familiarsostermann@... | 04/06/2006 @ 07:00 AM (PDT)
CorrectionOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 09:55 AM (PDT)
On the contrary...Bassplayer and Drummer | 04/06/2006 @ 12:35 PM (PDT)
As I was typing!Bassplayer and Drummer | 04/06/2006 @ 12:58 PM (PDT)
~fallow~sostermann@... | 04/06/2006 @ 01:17 PM (PDT)
People only read every third or forth wordmjwx | 04/10/2006 @ 01:31 AM (PDT)
Kinda missed my pointOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 01:52 PM (PDT)
Kinda missed my point, too...Bassplayer and Drummer | 04/07/2006 @ 06:41 AM (PDT)
Cull the herd, eh?mgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 12:44 PM (PDT)
WHAA WHAA!!!jkaras | 04/06/2006 @ 07:30 AM (PDT)
Ouch! You cannot be serious...UKviking | 04/10/2006 @ 03:31 AM (PDT)
Unfortunately yesjkaras | 04/10/2006 @ 06:17 AM (PDT)
well saidsasiv | 04/10/2006 @ 06:50 AM (PDT)
No offence taken!UKviking | 04/10/2006 @ 07:38 AM (PDT)
deep do-do if... Guaranteed.!.dawgit | 04/06/2006 @ 07:50 AM (PDT)
You are definitely not a lawyer.Shawn_W | 04/06/2006 @ 10:46 AM (PDT)
That is correctdawgit | 04/06/2006 @ 01:12 PM (PDT)
yes and heres whywithu_naheartbeat@... | 04/06/2006 @ 08:42 AM (PDT)
No you don'tOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 10:10 AM (PDT)
Yes it IS, not CAN, but ISOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 09:29 AM (PDT)
yeb, in much country's the samerob mekel | 04/10/2006 @ 02:21 AM (PDT)
Simple Changescitiboi | 04/10/2006 @ 04:35 PM (PDT)
Agreed BUT...mgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 01:02 PM (PDT)
Just wonderingTonytheTiger | 04/14/2006 @ 01:20 PM (PDT)
Circumstantial DependanceAaron A Baker | 04/06/2006 @ 10:27 AM (PDT)
DepndanceOz_Media | 04/06/2006 @ 11:20 AM (PDT)
Was not awareAaron A Baker | 04/09/2006 @ 10:31 AM (PDT)
How new is Relatively new?reconlabtech | 04/06/2006 @ 12:24 PM (PDT)
3-4 monthssostermann@... | 04/06/2006 @ 12:45 PM (PDT)
on her part, also on.... Check this out, please!dawgit | 04/06/2006 @ 01:46 PM (PDT)
No Wonder!reconlabtech | 04/07/2006 @ 07:04 AM (PDT)
Have you triedDr Dij | 04/06/2006 @ 02:30 PM (PDT)
a few things...UncleRob | 04/06/2006 @ 02:51 PM (PDT)
check out SpamFighter's website ....UncleRob | 04/06/2006 @ 09:42 PM (PDT)
No OpinionMrFurry | 04/07/2006 @ 01:49 AM (PDT)
No fun for you, come back one year!mgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 01:12 PM (PDT)
Show willing - take it seriouslyPoggle | 04/07/2006 @ 02:33 AM (PDT)
Try Microsoft Outlook 2003sdurfee@... | 04/07/2006 @ 05:04 AM (PDT)
apparently they don't have funds for this type of purchase..UncleRob | 04/07/2006 @ 07:15 AM (PDT)
Best effortJcritch | 04/07/2006 @ 05:22 AM (PDT)
Find a host with Spam Assassintrafficjon | 04/07/2006 @ 06:16 AM (PDT)
Need some statisticsCactus Pete | 04/07/2006 @ 10:16 AM (PDT)
Why !AndyW360 | 04/10/2006 @ 02:38 AM (PDT)
It's counter productive no matter whatDanLM | 04/10/2006 @ 04:50 AM (PDT)
Wa Wa WaRNR1995@... | 04/10/2006 @ 06:01 AM (PDT)
depends upon the local lawsDeadly Ernest | 04/10/2006 @ 08:51 AM (PDT)
porn and the lawgeezer51@... | 04/10/2006 @ 12:53 PM (PDT)
Well what has happened since 4/5/06UncleRob | 04/10/2006 @ 03:07 PM (PDT)
yea, Im curious tooDanLM | 04/10/2006 @ 03:26 PM (PDT)
Actionsostermann@... | 04/11/2006 @ 06:07 AM (PDT)
Late to the Party...SilentBob | 04/11/2006 @ 01:29 PM (PDT)
Give in to a childjacksdaddy1@... | 04/11/2006 @ 03:21 PM (PDT)
For a Whilejamas@... | 04/11/2006 @ 09:35 PM (PDT)
Want an easy fix to your problem?jwinborne@... | 04/10/2006 @ 06:08 PM (PDT)
This has to be the best reply yetDanLM | 04/10/2006 @ 10:50 PM (PDT)
Reasonable efforts come into playjrwkprice | 04/11/2006 @ 06:36 AM (PDT)
80 Percent False Positivesmgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 01:27 PM (PDT)
JAFOnpbwbass | 04/20/2006 @ 11:26 AM (PDT)
One way to make things clear: signed agreement before turning on filteringdw@... | 04/11/2006 @ 07:25 AM (PDT)
Not exactly harassmentmhambrecht@... | 04/11/2006 @ 10:25 AM (PDT)
No more responsible than the Postal Carrier is ...deepsand | 04/11/2006 @ 10:43 AM (PDT)
ANYTHING is possible.mgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 10:44 AM (PDT)
Fail to see the CulpabilitySilentBob | 04/11/2006 @ 01:17 PM (PDT)
Yes, it is an inherited email addressmgordon@... | 04/11/2006 @ 01:40 PM (PDT)
Hrm...SilentBob | 04/11/2006 @ 02:01 PM (PDT)
spam-sexual harrassment????jacksdaddy1@... | 04/11/2006 @ 02:56 PM (PDT)
This needs a lawyers attention + Some Lovinjamas@... | 04/11/2006 @ 03:02 PM (PDT)
Don't think sodcooke@... | 04/12/2006 @ 07:16 AM (PDT)
How can nearly ALL of you miss the obvious???!!!bill@... | 04/12/2006 @ 08:33 AM (PDT)
the obvious ..metro_au | 04/13/2006 @ 01:03 AM (PDT)
define something that 'holds up'...noyoki | 04/13/2006 @ 05:28 AM (PDT)
You totally missed it?bill@... | 04/13/2006 @ 10:17 AM (PDT)
ALWAYS HAS???jamas@... | 04/13/2006 @ 09:27 PM (PDT)
Thank-you jamasnoyoki | 04/14/2006 @ 08:58 AM (PDT)
Where does he live?noyoki | 04/14/2006 @ 09:07 AM (PDT)
SPAM filter from the Manager's budgetwrlang@... | 04/13/2006 @ 04:33 AM (PDT)
Sexual Harrassment? Sure. Company liable? Definitely not.Daniel.Muzrall | 04/13/2006 @ 06:07 AM (PDT)
Liability...of course.ncrum@... | 04/13/2006 @ 08:46 AM (PDT)
Liability...of course.ncrum@... | 04/13/2006 @ 08:46 AM (PDT)
What planet is this person from???Lando56 | 04/13/2006 @ 11:30 AM (PDT)
What is "false" about it?noyoki | 04/14/2006 @ 09:03 AM (PDT)
Two suggestions for youtechrepublic@... | 04/16/2006 @ 06:08 PM (PDT)
Send a note to your manager with cc to the ladyjsargent | 05/05/2006 @ 12:50 AM (PDT)
Do your best.jsargent | 05/05/2006 @ 01:13 AM (PDT)
Call it "stalking" not harassment.Absolutely | 06/29/2007 @ 06:35 PM (PDT)
I have a Better Question!!! Can the Company Promoted in the Spam Be heald Rhonuheroes | 08/01/2009 @ 06:53 PM (PDT)

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