Controversial Monitoring
Whether or not employers should spy on their employees computer usage is a controversial subject. Monitoring the computer activities of employees isn’t something that makes most employers very popular. It can make employees feel uncomfortable and believe that their privacy is being invaded. This article will address why it is important for employers to monitor their company computers, and how they can go about doing it in a way that increases productivity but won’t offend their employees. Computer security is better security for everyone.
Monitoring Helps Stop Harassment
With new technology comes new threats to network security in managed it services. Cyber-bullying is becoming more and more common. Monitoring employee computers helps keep the workplace safe and harassment free. Employees making threats or harassing others from a company computer can create enormous legal issues that can lead to law suits. If no one knows what they are doing, then they can’t be stopped. Even though the company themselves are not doing the harassing, they can still be held liable for not stopping the employee who was responsible.
Protect Important Company Information
Embezzlement, fraud and theft can be caught sooner if a company is watching what employees are doing with the company information on their computers. Financial risks increase when employees with a grudge against a business owner seek revenge. Employees who are fired or passed up for promotions might decide to settle the score by deleting important information or files. They also might purposefully change numbers or words that could cause business owners problems in trying to correct them. Computer monitoring helps identify what is happening, and who is doing it, so they can be stopped in their tracks before more damage is done.
Business Computer Rights
Computers are the property of the business, not the employees. Businesses have a right to protect their computer assets from malware and viruses that can occur if employees go on websites that they aren’t supposed to. While warnings make be handed out advising employees not to go to certain websites or download unnecessary software, not everyone listens. By monitoring who is causing damage to computers, business owners can hold the person responsible. If everyone working was consistently honest and willing to admit that they were goofing off at work, then monitoring computers wouldn’t be necessary, but it is.
See also: Let Employees Help Grow Your Company’s Social Marketing
Employee Computer Rights
Employees deserve privacy. There are times that they might have private conversations on an instant messenger while they are working. It is understandable that they wouldn’t want their boss to read through what they are saying. It is best that private conversations be handled by cell phones or their own personal computers instead though. By discussing that monitoring will be taking place before hand, employees will be notified and feel less violated. Employers who monitor unnecessarily can find themselves deep in legal issues that protect employee’s rights. Talk with your employees about what you intend to do and why. Stay transparent in your company’s intentions to monitor and let them know it helps protect both them and the company. Also, don’t forget to post notices about the monitoring on each computer area and in the offices. {{cta(‘83409834-2e41-48f4-89e9-1aeb5b7e055b’)}}
Written By Kevin Gray
Hello! I am the Sales Manager and one of the Senior IT Consultants @ EnvisionIT Solutions. I help our clients envision great technology solutions that help their businesses grow. Let me know if you have any questions. I am an avid outdoorsman who loves fly fishing and camping. I also love sports – soccer, basketball, football….