Under the laws, employers have all the right to keep an eye on the employees.  However, there is a certain line beyond which, if employer peeps in the matters of the employees, it gets unethical. It is not unusual that companies keep a track of employee emails, their internet browsing and related activities. True that, there is nothing wrong with this kind of attitude, as company has all the rights to make sure their confidentiality is not exposed.

It may depend upon the company policy; however, the driving reasons often fall within the mentioned ones:

One of the researchers has proved that employee monitoring is not only essential, but also a necessity. It withholds compliance with the rules and regulations, ensures prevention of workplace harassment and provides necessary evidences in the case of a lawsuit. Therefore, it is mandatory for the company to make sure that they make such feasible plans that employee monitoring is executed in a manner that it does not go beyond legal and ethical means.

This excerpt particularly highlights the ways through which employers can legally and ethically monitor employees at work –

1: Written policies:

There should be a corporate policy framework, which should be known to all. For example, if the company does not allow using gaming websites during the working hours, then it must be so well stated that employees take care of it.

2: Employees monitoring software:

The software must be used while making sure that the employees know they are being tracked. They must know that they are liable to answer about any misuse as computers and all the information, being exchanged is the company’s property. Therefore, prior knowledge would eliminate the idea of being unethical, and would make the act legal too.

This kind of Android spy software must only be used in the employer-provide Smartphone, and not the one which employee owns. It would be truly unethical keeping the track on private and personal calls.

3: Security cameras:

The employer must not install surveillance cameras in the areas where employees relax – also, in the places where they are placed must be in the employees’ knowledge.

4: Talk to workforce:

As a responsible employer, one must clearly state employees about the horizons beyond which they cannot proceed. If employees would be notified prior to the monitoring, they would be less likely to follow the mistakes. In addition, the punishment for the wrongful acts must be mentioned in the policies so that employees know what would be the result of the unethical acts.

5: Block unwanted websites:

There is no harm in blocking all those websites, which an employer thinks is not suitable for a better workplace environment. In can include porn sites specifically. It can also include:

In order to have a committed and devoted workforce, the company must make sure that employees feel associated with the name. That is how they would work under all ethical situations without hurting the company or any other policy. Employee monitoring under ethical and legal regulations can turn the company into more profitable one. Therefore, make sure plans are made with the mutual understanding so that 100 percent results can be achieved.