Computer Monitoring In The Work Place – Computer Monitoring Software
Computer monitoring in the workplace is a contentious subject. For those who support it, it is a vital and necessary way to protect company interests and optimise work production. For those against, it is an aggressive intrusion of privacy.
Computer monitoring in the workplace involves using programs that are installed into the computer to keep a log of some or all of the activity that happens on that computer. Most of these types of programs are able to check the amount of time spent on particular tasks, such as email, and filter or monitor Internet usage, and relate this information to a remote computer. Some are also much more comprehensive, giving a detailed record of every command typed into the computer, and being able to take random screenshots of what is happening on the computer. More extreme monitoring can involve such invasive strategies as using the webcam to secretly record what employees are up to.
With the advent of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, employers are often concerned with the amount of productive time that is being lost during the working day spent on these sites. There is also growing concern that indiscreet employees may jeopardise companies by leaking information, or giving companies a bad name through these sites.
With privacy being so highly valued and protected these days, there are laws against extensive or overly detailed monitoring in the workplace, particularly when employees are not notified of it. Employers are urged to inform employees of the type and degree of monitoring taking place, and to maintain a practical level of monitoring that keeps employees accountable, but not under constant scrutiny.
It is clear that both arguments have their strengths, which suggests that computer monitoring in the workplace at a reasonable and open level is an acceptable and necessary part of being a member of the workforce.
By: Jimmy A Jones
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Filed under Computers And Technology by admin on Sep 7th, 2010.
