Glossary > Employment Law > Employee Privacy > General

Employee Monitoring

Employee monitoring is the practice where employers observe or keep track of their employees' activities, behaviors, and communications while at work. This can include various methods such as video surveillance, computer monitoring, email scanning, and GPS tracking of company vehicles.

Example #1

An employer installs software on company computers to track employee keystrokes, internet usage, and the time spent on various tasks.

Example #2

An employer uses video cameras to monitor employees' movements and interactions in the workplace.

Misuse

Misuse of employee monitoring can lead to invasion of privacy and create a hostile work environment. For example, if an employer uses monitoring data to discriminate against employees based on personal characteristics unrelated to work performance, such as race or religion, it is a violation of their rights and can lead to legal issues.

Benefits

Employee monitoring, when used responsibly, can help ensure workplace safety, protect sensitive company information, prevent inappropriate behavior, and enhance productivity. For instance, monitoring can help detect and prevent cyber threats by identifying unusual computer activity that may indicate a security breach.

Conclusion

It is crucial to balance the need for monitoring with respect for employee privacy and rights. Employers should clearly communicate their monitoring practices to employees, obtain consent where required by law, and use the collected data ethically and transparently.