Employee Internet and Computer Monitoring

Employers often wonder if it is legal to monitor their employees computer usage.  Well, the answer in short is yes and may be well worth the investment.  In this article we will discuss the pros and cons of monitoring your network computers in the office place.

Why is monitoring computer usage important in the workplace?

•  Wasting time:  email, shopping, instant messaging, and even job hunting.

•  Pornography:  Adult, Child, Sexual Harassment, all can stem from this.

•  Gaming

•  Peer-2-Peer file sharing

While all the above are damaging to the production of the employee’s time usage, some can lead to big lawsuits and fines such as file sharing.  File sharing has become a common place, however not all of its practices are legal.  The RIAA  (Record Industry Association of America) has really cracked down on piracy of music and other media that has not been purchased (licensed) to the individual or group.  Porn is disturbing to most people, however it is also the most common entry way for nasty virus, spyware, malware, and other infectious software.  So, ask yourself again why monitoring employee computers is necessary?  How can you afford not to?  Sometimes, unfortunately, employees may even download child related pornography which is very illegal in the United States and a Federal crime.  None of these acts should be allowed in the work place.

Some blocks in the road that may hinder the installation of a network monitoring software is existing Union contracts, company policies, etc.  It is much better that employees know that they are subject to be monitored at any given time.  Often this is first announced in a company memo or meeting.  After the software is installed, they will never know when their screen is being viewed or being recorded.  Many companies make it a policy that if certain aspects of  the policy is broken, then it can be grounds for termination of employment.  Being said like this keeps it serious from employer to the employee.

The only con with a monitoring program is really in the employee usage.  The software will record usage and text, so  if an employee is caught, he/shs is indeed caught with substancial evidence and no room to plead not guilty.   Thus, making it a much easier process to terminate the possition without nasty lawsuits being flinged.

So, how does one control or monitor computers on a network?

We recommend that you get in contact with the folks over at Pearl Software, Inc.  They will be glad to help you get connected with the right software for your business.  Their product lines are geared also for school and government as well as businesses.