Employee monitoring

Employee monitoring is the use of various methods of workplace surveillance to gather information about the activities and locations of staff members. Businesses monitor employees to improve productivity and protect corporate resources. The main intention is to prevent unacceptable behavior before it can have a negative impact on the business.

History

The practice of employee monitoring has been around since the time of the industrial revolution, where supervisors would oversee the work of their employees directly. With the advent of technology, the methods of employee monitoring have evolved to include electronic and online methods.

Methods

There are several methods of employee monitoring. These include:

• Direct observation: This involves the direct oversight of the employee while they are performing their work tasks. This is the most traditional form of employee monitoring.

• Electronic monitoring: This includes the use of digital tools and software to monitor an employee's online activity. This can include email monitoring, internet usage monitoring, and computer monitoring.

• GPS tracking: This involves the use of GPS technology to track the location of employees, particularly those who are in field work or travelling for business purposes.

• Video surveillance: This involves the use of video cameras to monitor employee behavior in the workplace.

Legal issues

The legality of employee monitoring varies from country to country. In some jurisdictions, employers are required to notify employees if they are being monitored. In others, such monitoring is considered an invasion of privacy and is therefore illegal.

Ethical considerations

While employee monitoring can help businesses protect their resources and improve productivity, it also raises ethical concerns. These include the potential for invasion of privacy, the potential for misuse of information, and the potential for creating a hostile work environment.

See also

• Workplace surveillance
• Computer and network surveillance
• Privacy in the workplace

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