Ethical Implications of Employee Monitoring: What Leaders Should to Consider!

Employee monitoring, due to the increase in cyberloafing and lawsuits, has become more widespread and much easier with the use of new and cheaper technologies. Both employers and employees are concerned with the ethical implications of constant monitoring. While employers use monitoring devices to keep track of their employees' actions and productivity, their employees feel that too much monitoring is an invasion of their privacy. Thus, the ethics of monitoring employees is explored and current practices are discussed. This document further provides suggestions for reducing cyberloafing and encourages institution's to create and effectively communicate ethical standards for employee monitoring in their firms. The author has included actual samples of employees' perceptions and feelings from the surveys and discussions on being monitored.