Glossary > Employment Law > Employee Privacy > Workplace Surveillance And Monitoring

Activity Monitoring

Activity monitoring in the workplace refers to the practice of employers tracking and observing employees' work-related activities, such as computer usage, internet browsing, email communication, or physical movements during work hours.

Example #1

An employer installs software on company computers to monitor which websites employees visit and how much time they spend on non-work-related activities.

Example #2

Using GPS tracking devices on company vehicles to monitor the routes taken by delivery drivers during their shifts.

Misuse

An example of misuse of activity monitoring could be if an employer uses surveillance data to discriminate against employees based on their personal characteristics, such as age, gender, or race. It is crucial to protect against misuse of activity monitoring to prevent unfair treatment, privacy violations, and potential legal issues.

Benefits

One benefit of activity monitoring is ensuring employee productivity and adherence to company policies. For instance, monitoring computer usage can help prevent excessive time spent on non-work-related websites, leading to improved focus and task completion.

Conclusion

It is essential to strike a balance between monitoring for legitimate reasons like productivity and security, while also respecting employee privacy rights and preventing discrimination or unfair treatment based on monitored data.

Last Modified: 4/30/2024