There is no denying that most employees use their employer’s Internet for personal use. Trust me! Millennials who have just stepped into the corporate sector cannot live without accessing the Internet for their private use, no matter how much their employers may warn them not to. They do not consider the repercussions they might face, like official warnings, limited internet access, lawsuits, or even job loss. They want to work in their comfort zone without fearing getting caught due to excessive internet usage. Tracking online activities in today’s era is not an alien job. You may need to keep the right tracking channel(s) in place for precise results.
Most People Use the Internet for Personal Use at Work
When it comes to mature and seasoned employees they understand organizational policies and, perhaps, follow the code of conduct at work. They know that excessive internet usage at work can lead to severe consequences and be costly to their company. When your attention is diverted to other less important things, there is a high possibility of getting off track and losing focus on the bigger picture, which is the objective at hand.
Still, most employees feel reluctant to give up their bad habit of using the Internet for private use at work. Employers have blamed excessive social media use and other online activities, such as online gaming, online shopping, YouTube, etc., as the main reasons for excessive internet use at work.
According to a study, more than 80% of employees around the globe access the Internet for their personal use. Only 3% must face serious level repercussions for indecent acts like viewing pornography, gambling, and online betting during their working hours. This indicates that many employees do not fear losing their jobs, which encourages them to spend more hours on the Internet for personal use and less on work.
What is Employee Monitoring?
Employee monitoring allows employers to track their employees’ activities and engagement levels with the company and other work-related tasks, such as an employee’s productivity and efficiency. The employer can also track attendance and ensure security against potential threats.
Employee tracking and controlling have become the norm in the corporate sector. Employers who monitor their employees and closely monitor their online activities, perhaps through advanced tracking software or surveillance cameras, have more control over their workforce and job environment. Undoubtedly, technology has played a significant role in restricting employees to minimize their lousy conduct, which may lead to lethal consequences. So, it would not be wrong to say that everything employees do at work or on their office computers can be monitored or observed.
To What Extent Can Your Employer Watch Your Online Activities?
Your employers can watch everything you do in their office, from Internet and app usage to audio/video surveillance and bookkeeping to computer screen recording and downloads. Since you use your employer’s Internet, companies can record everything their employees do, 24/7. It is safe to say that employers can monitor and observe 100% of employee activity and communication.
Modern technology and advanced IT techniques have made monitoring online activities possible to the fullest. Although companies may not keep a focused eye on you every second of the day, surveillance cameras and recording devices keep the data backed up and can be searched anytime.
Quick advice: Do not try to fool your employers by using their Internet for personal use. They can track whatever you do with their Internet!
Does My Employer Have the Authority to Monitor My Computer – What is the Law?
Courts have usually given companies the right to monitor their employees at work with security and surveillance cameras and other monitoring devices if their personal space, such as bathrooms and dressing rooms, is not invaded. When it comes to monitoring employees’ online activities, employers have the right to monitor everything since they own and provide every company asset, such as office computers, internet service, sensitive information, and much more.
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