The Modern Workplace

A couple of recent articles in the New York Times and The Atlantic magazine caught my attention. Although the articles are from very different perspectives, both articles made me think about dishonest employees and how employers deal with them. 

• Online research and social media.  The internet may be the source of information that contradicts employees claims of injury, illness, emotional distress, or other personal circumstances in a way that is valuable to the employer in dispute.
• Monitoring software.  Employers can install software capable of monitoring almost any aspect of employees use of the employers electronic systems, including speed of performance, unauthorized accessing of data or internet sites, and email communication
• Surveillance methods.  These systems can include cameras, microphones, and facility access recording devices
• Remote tracking.  Employee location can be tracked through various GPS devices associated with cell phones, vehicles, and computers.

Research shows that employer surveillance works not only to discourage dishonesty; it may also improve business results. In the New York Times article, the author points out that when restaurant employees knew that they were being monitored, they increased their sales efforts while reducing their dishonest practices.