Belgium: a judgement on internet surfing for private matters

In a judgment from August 29, 2007, the Hasselt labour court rendered an interesting judgment about how to use emails and the internet at work. It approved the dismissal because of serious misconduct of an employee who had bypassed, for personal purposes, the informatics shields his employer had set up. (Ref. 070764.)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.


In this case, an employer, advised by the Claeys & Engel cabinet, had limited the access to the internet by installing a new firewall while adopting directive for employees using emails and the internet. This document was handed out to every employee after signature. Thus, employees were aware of the fact that the employer could monitor the workers comply with the rule. To break away from these controls, an employee had gotten, thanks to the former firewall, an internet access in order to, nota

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Spain: new terms and conditions for in-company training contracts
On 25 November, Spain's Council of Ministers approved a regulation on training contracts. This text defines the terms and conditions for hosting work-study students and interns doing professional...
2
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
3
Germany: apprenticeship openings fall sharply in manufacturing and chemicals
From 1 January 2026, Dutch collective agreements for temporary employment agencies will alter the employment conditions of temp workers. Agencies will be required to pay these workers at least the...