Another prevention method for employers is implementing software that monitors employees’ internet searching. This will allow managers to monitor the employees and when a manager finds the employee is not doing what they are supposed to be doing, they can hold that employee accountable for their actions. The consequence could be coaching them, providing disciplinary action, or terminating them depending on the internet usage policy of the company. When coaching an employee the company representative needs to ensure that they don’t threaten actions they are unwilling to follow through with or are not in line with company policy.
The website below lists the Top Ten Employee Monitoring Software Programs you can purchase, which highlights these top three monitoring softwares:
1) SONAR
2) Spector CNE Investigator
3) Spytech NetVizor
http://employee-monitoring-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
There are some downsides to internet usage monitoring. For instance, companies will have to pay another employee to monitor employees’ actions, so the company will either end up losing money to ensure its employees stay productive or losing money through the loss of productivity of its employees while they surf the internet. In the latter instance, employers always have the option to performance manage their employees if they are not finishing their work timely.
In conclusion, you need to identify the problem and take the appropriate actions, whether that is educating your employees or implementing monitoring software to monitor the employees’ actions.
Cited
http://www.techsupportalert.com/pdf/m1847.pdf
I think that this is one of those instances where employers have to decide whether using software to monitor inernet use will create longterm value or not. I personally think that using an intranet with different blocks in place at different levels of management is easier.
ReplyDeleteRebecca Ries
I think that monitoring employees' internet searching is an invasion of their privacy. While it is true that employee monitoring software programs can increase the productivity of workers, I think that it would make employees feel inferior and therefore, unimportant. They would be less willing to put forth their best effort if they feel that they have to be watched like young children.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate to say it, monitoring employee searching may be necessary. As someone who likes to surf the internet (especially when I'm bored), I wouldn't like this; however, you have to consider the productivity of the business. How can a business stay productive & competitive if employees are slacking off while they're on the clock? I think that having software there to monitor use is a good solution. In all fairness, I think that if a business were to implement this, employees should be informed that they're being monitored. On the other hand, if the company doesn't feel like it's interfering with business, I wouldn't even bother.
ReplyDeleteIn the effort try to reduce Internet misuse in workplace, I think there are many questions involve different aspects of the issue that organizations have to face such as what are the ethical ramifications of controlling employee behavior in the workplace? Is the company acting ethically when spy ware or other software that monitors all employees based on the inappropriate behavior of a few is installed? Is monitoring for control eroding the employee / employer relationship and undermining trust? Does a company have the right to deny the reading of private email during lunchtime or after work hours? Are companies realizing the anticipated results gained from the switch from thick to thin client terminals?
ReplyDeleteUyen Pham
As one responder mentioned, employees would feel like children if they are watched over to the degree the stated software programs offer. I think that in the business world sometimes that is exactly what needs to be done. The Internet has become a tool for almost any business, as well as leisure activities; attempts to remove a familiar part of a person’s life for eight hours a day can lead to issues. When an employee is at work they are getting paid to perform their duties, if they are misusing the Internet during company time then they should be dealt with accordingly. Goal of companies are mostly to maximize profit, which is a lot harder to do with employees wasting time on anything but their jobs.
ReplyDeleteKyle White
In my opinion monitoring employees it is just to much. Everyone deserves a little bit of privacy, even in the work place. Each employee should be familiar with company policies, should have goals to achieve and at the end should be evaluated. It is unnecessary to check on the employees 24/7. When an employee fails to complete assigned tasks, because instead of working was surfing in the internet, the consequences will be drawn and he will be punish. The employer must have more confidence and faith in his employees.
ReplyDeleteKrzysztof Kwasniewicz