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Does it seem ethical for organizations to monitor employees?

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Anaya Grewal
Does it seem ethical for organizations to monitor employees?

How ethical do you think it is for organizations to monitor employees? Some say that this practice can be beneficial, while others believe that it’s invasive and an invasion of privacy. To better understand where each side of the issue stands, consider these three points from both sides of the argument.


What is Employee Monitoring Software


Employee monitoring software is one of several productivity tools designed to help employers increase efficiency. Generally, these programs give managers access to information about what their employees are doing on company computers or during work hours. Employee monitoring software may also show managers where employees are spending time when they should be working. The term monitoring might make these programs sound threatening or unethical, but most businesses use them fairly and ethically—especially if they’re invested in creating a productive workplace environment.


Why do people use Employee Monitoring Software?


Employees don’t work harder because you yell at them, and they may even become less productive as a result. Instead of relying on outdated (and ineffective) management techniques, employers should focus on increasing employee motivation and job satisfaction by empowering employees with effective communication and feedback. The end result: happier, more motivated workers who will be proud to tell others that they work for your organization—even if you don’t install surveillance software! How do you know employee monitoring is necessary?: If your employees are wasting time or acting inappropriately at work, there could be consequences for their actions—including losing their jobs.


By installing employee monitoring software, employers can keep tabs on employee productivity without being overly intrusive in their day-to-day lives. However, each situation is different; there are many companies that use workplace rules and policies to prevent employees from wasting time or doing anything dangerous during working hours. Should every employer implement employee monitoring?: No one tool works best for every business, so it’s up to individual employers to decide how much oversight is needed. But while some employees might grumble about being spied on at work, other employees will actually feel empowered by knowledge that someone cares enough about their performance that they have installed tools designed to help protect both company and employees alike.


Major Ethical Consequences of Employee Monitoring


Why is employee monitoring a big deal? The major consequences of employee monitoring have to do with trust. When employees see that their employer is constantly looking over their shoulder, they feel vulnerable and guarded in what they do at work. In some instances, when employees feel like their privacy has been invaded, they can become so uncomfortable that productivity suffers or they begin searching for a new job elsewhere. Employee morale plummets as workers are no longer able to be themselves around their co-workers. Instead, they are forced into feeling like their actions are being observed all day long by someone who isn’t interested in helping them succeed but only interested in watching them fail.


Tips to Maintain Employee Monitoring Ethics


As technology becomes more advanced, employers are increasingly implementing software that monitors employee behavior. For many employees, having monitoring software at work can feel invasive and intimidating. While employers have a legal right to monitor their employees, they should always take steps to maintain an ethical workplace. If done improperly, employee monitoring software can jeopardize employee productivity and morale. Here are some tips on how employers can monitor their employees without sacrificing workplace ethics. Key Steps in Implementing Ethical Employee Monitoring Software: Employers who implement tracking software often base its use on annual job performance reviews.


Employees who perform poorly may be subject to additional scrutiny; however, employees who receive consistently high ratings will not be tracked unless there is reason to believe he or she has begun acting in an unethical manner. This way, employees who routinely provide excellent service do not suffer as a result of those few bad apples. Encourage Feedback: Business owners should encourage employees to voice any concerns about potential abuse of employee monitoring software before implementation begins.


Conclusion


There are many reasons why employers want to know what employees are doing at work. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if an employer doesn’t have a clear process that follows company guidelines, then they run into serious legal problems.


SOURCE: Is It Ethical for Organizations to Monitor Employees?

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Anaya Grewal
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