Final answer:
The misconception is that deleted e-mails cannot be retrieved; however, in reality, most professional organizations can recover deleted communications for various reasons. Option A is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The misconception regarding e-mail and internet privacy is option a: E-mail messages that employees erase or delete cannot be retrieved. In many cases, deleted emails can indeed be retrieved, especially in a professional setting where companies often back up communications for record-keeping or legal reasons. Contrary to what some may believe, an email is not completely gone once it's deleted from an employee's inbox.
Option b: Employers have great latitude in monitoring their own equipment, is correct. Employers often have policies that allow them to monitor their employees' use of company equipment, including emails sent from company accounts.
Option c: Employees' rights to privacy extend to their e-mail, while partially true in a personal context, can be misleading as this privacy does not necessarily extend to company email systems. In the workplace, an employer's right to monitor communications may supersede an employee's expectation of privacy on company systems.
Option d: E-mail monitoring may be done to prevent harassment, is also correct. Employers may monitor emails to ensure a safe and harassment-free workplace, which is a legitimate and legal practice.