Courts these days face many issues related to decisions made on the employer’s right to know versus the employee’s right to privacy. Employers’ interests seem to conflict with employees’ privacy rights these days. People are paid for their productivity, however, in recent times there is a great apprehension about wasting time, especially with surfing the Internet and social networks. This sometimes creates liability for an employer through the circulation of inappropriate material and the downloading of viruses. This leads to loss of precious time and money. Employees, on the other hand, find employers to be very intrusive as they track and monitor their every move.
Many privacy invasive techniques are used these days including but not limited to computer software that tracks movements, monitoring phones and emails. Other forms are taken as well as relevant to credit checks, background checks, circuit surveillance, location tracking, etc.
Some of these modes are discussed below.
monitoring the computer
The employee’s work habits can be easily tracked with the computer. Employees can be monitored at any time as the boss has access to the computer network and the terminal. Available computer software can help track any type of Internet usage, emails, and even keystrokes.
The boss can access the intranet and email system of a company without any problem. An employer may choose to monitor any mail going to or coming from the employee. Mail systems have backups, so even deleted mails remain in the system for later access.
call monitoring
Phone conversations can be tracked and monitored as long as the employee shares their consent with the employer. The organization must ensure that the employee is aware of the procedure in which calls are monitored.
Dialed phone numbers
A pen log allows you to record the phone numbers dialed by the employee. The numbers dialed along with the duration of each call can be viewed with this layout.
rental tracking
A location tracking software can be used for this purpose. Any movement of the employee through the workplace can be detected. This is mainly used for security purposes. In this way, the employer can verify the time that a person spends on each task.
Aside from people who have some type of misconduct to their name, others may choose to choose their right to privacy. Certain rights are described below.
background checks
An employer must keep the employee informed of such checks and also requires consent before proceeding with the checks.
checking personal things
Personal belongings cannot be searched at the workplace.
ยท Disclosure of employee information is offensive.
Although it is very obvious that some of these measures are extreme, all said and done, you are paid for productivity and that should be your main concern. That said, all of these measures should not affect you much as a responsible employee.