Employee Monitoring Methods

The importance of employee monitoring is well – understood. This article looks at some common methods employed for the same.

Employee Monitoring Methods

With electronic evidence playing an ever increasing role in business litigation, a majority of employers are starting to monitor their employees regularly. There are a variety of tools and techniques available to do this. Also, employers want to ensure that their employees are working hard. This enables them to identify good workers and reward them suitable when the time for increments comes. At the same time, the employees do not want every single conversation and action being known to their employer. Thus, there are some laws regarding the extent of surveillance that an employee can be subjected to. These are in place to protect the privacy of employees.

Computer Monitoring

Since a majority of work is done on computers nowadays, it makes sense that employers invest money in software to monitor the activity of their employees on the computer. They track the number of keystrokes, mouse clicks and time spent at the keyboard. They often discreetly take screenshots of the computer screens to determine that work is actually being done. Most employers typically have advanced sign in systems that force an employee to log in before working and log out before leaving the work desk. Thus, these are a direct measure of the time spent at the computer.

Cell Phone Monitoring

While it is illegal to monitor a private cell phone, an employer can monitor a cell phone issued by the company to an employee. There is a variety of software available which can track not only the received and outgoing calls on the phone, but also the location of the phone. Advanced GPS monitoring systems allow this. Employers can also remotely control these mobile phones. However this is not a widespread phenomenon. This is typically used when the phones issued to an employee are likely to hold secret, sensitive information. Thus, in case of loss or theft of the phone, a remote memory wipe can be executed.

Email Monitoring

Email has become the lifeline of corporate communications. It is impossible for any major business to exist without a well established email system. However, email is as much vulnerability as it is strength. Email provides employees with an easy channel to pass out sensitive information about the company or its clients. In some rare cases, trade secrets may also be passed out via email. Thus, to avoid such a scenario, most people use email monitoring software. This is specially tuned to detect certain trigger words and attachment types to avoid sensitive information being leaked out.

Video Surveillance

Video surveillance is the most common type of employee monitoring. It is employed in nearly every office. It is used especially to avoid theft of physical property, destruction of property, etc. It can catch a rogue employee in the act of harming or stealing property, thereby making a very strong case for the employer. Video surveillance can also monitor the actual amount of time that people sit and work at their desks. We, at Private Investigators UK can easily help you set up a proper video surveillance system and minimize blind spots.