From monitoring keystrokes to video
surveillance to GPS satellite tracking, today's employers are keeping
tabs on their employees. According to a 2005 survey by the
American Management Association (AMA), U.S. firms continue to record
and review employee communications and activities on the job. This
includes checking employee phone calls, e-mail messages, Internet
connections and computer files. Most observation takes place
because of increased technology available to employees, such as e-mail
and advanced online capabilities. Seventy-six percent of businesses
monitor employee Web use and 55 percent keep and review e-mail messages. But
companies are not just watching employees online. More than 51 percent
of companies said they participate in video surveillance for security
purposes. Thirty-one percent monitor employees' outgoing phone numbers.
And if you use a key card to access your job, you work for one of the
53 percent of companies that use them. Some groups think these practices violate employees' privacy rights. Organizations such as Workplace Fairness and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
are working to bring about legislation that protects employees' rights
to privacy in the workplace. Many companies, however, feel that since
the equipment is company owned and operated, employees must adhere to
company policies regarding personal use of technology.
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