Today I was watching Good Morning America; It usually is a great way to wake up in the AM.. That is except for the lead in on the excerpt that I Just HAD to watch. “Everything You Need to Know About Office Spying” —- they then go on to mention that the MAJORITY of Bosses are Spying on Your Electronic behavior at work - The info can be found on their site at tinyurl.com/yepslv or http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TakeControl/story?id=2695968&page=1

Of course being the inquisitive Mind I am — I wondered were their numbers right? Were 9 out of 10 Employers REALLY watching the way you used the internet? Good grief— well okay, smart bosses, watching their investment, making sure that they are paying you to work, and not waste their dime and time, but, really, that many.. and what about my privacy??  This really isn’t legal?? Surly I have some rights?

  Actually with the right to work and right to fire — Yep it is legal…

 With the lead in from their own story on Good Morning America, here is something many don’t realize—  ”Last week, new federal rules went into effect that require U.S. companies to keep track of all the e-mails, instant messages and other electronic documents generated by their employees. According to a survey by the e-Policy Institute, 9 out of 10 employers already observe employee electronic behavior in some way.”

So what are the real numbers? and were GMA’s data really on the mark, are there that many bosses really watching?.. is my boss really able to see what I do on the internet live on their computer monitor, in another room.. Without me even knowing? Gee, nerve racking isn’t it.

On the flip side, with employees cracking down on usage of their employees being on the internet on their time and their dime..  And could this affect the way we recruit or how someone finds a job in the future?

So I checked out some other sites, this is a really hot topic today.. Even Forbes had a recent article titled-  Five Ways How To (Legally) Spy On Employees tinyurl.com/y4asnm

So here are some interesting Facts- As much as 92 Percent of employers will monitor your e-mail, record your conversations, video tape your moves in the office, search through your computer files, monitor your computer strokes, read all of your email, track your location via your cel phone or security badge or both – and even know that you are reading this article right now..  The American Management Association (AMA) conducted such a study, entitled the ”2005 Electronic Monitoring & Surveillance Survey”. http://www.amanet.org/press/amanews/ems05.htm

* 65 percent block access to specific sites, up from 27 percent in 2001
* 76 percent monitor Website visits
* 55 percent retain and review email messages
* 50 percent monitor computer files
* 35 percent track the content, keystrokes and time spent at the keyboard
* 92 percent of employers deny employee workplace privacy rights through electronic surveillance of some sort.
* 57% of employers block access to 900 lines and other unauthorized phone numbers
* 19% tape the calls of employees in selected job categories, and another 3% record and review all employees’ phone chat.
* Six percent of companies have fired employees for misusing office phones, and another 22% have  issued formal reprimands to those who abuse phone privileges.

The state workplace privacy rights laws are few and far apart, and they are more in favor of the Employer. On the most part they basically require that the employer tell the employees of the electronic surveillance.. of course there are areas that are off limits – like bathrooms, changing rooms, etc.. and of course it does depend on the State you live in. That new law that got passed, well I wonder does it give them more freedom?

Which makes you wonder, okay, this is legal, and sure I can understand wanting to monitor your investment Mr/Ms. Employer; But with Employer Spying on the rise, well when does it go too far? When does it cross over into snooping? Voyeurism? Just doing it for the Fun of it, rather than business as usual?

What is really interesting is that this is really quite cost effective technology in today’s world.. gee even with XP remote desktop I can see my other computer in another room, when I choose.. and that is via the software that came with my computer.. of course it is with permission, and I can tell when “I” am online w/in my computer.. (what a mouthful).. but, it really doesn’t take much to set up a system w/in an intranet, and of course where an individual would NOT be aware that their boss is spying or to what extent.

With all that in mind, it makes you wonder also, how safe are those candidates when we send them e-mails at work, call them on the job, and ask them to send the resume. Here is something that really jumps out as well, with more and more companies jumping on this bandwagon is it possible that we will see less internet activity from employees on the net? Will companies start monitoring their employees’ blogs, their Social Network Activity.

Definitely something to think about when writing exchanging that inter office banter with your best friend. What you may think as harmless may be something Your boss may consider a concern.

It may be a good idea to keep personal comments, personal shopping and personal activities to your home computer.

P.S American Management Association has their 2006 Survey out - for more recent information see http://www.amanet.org/press/amanews/2006/blogs_2006.htm.

Karen M

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ABOUT KAREN MATTONEN, CAC, CSP

As a recruiter, entrepreneur, and public speaker, Karen Mattonen  CAC, CSP  is a voice of reason and sensibility in today’s recruiting community. Her doing-well-by- doing-right philosophy is shaking up the status quo in an industry that needs to be shaken. She does this with conviction, leadership, and a distinctive voice that cries out for change. Karen has a new and future oriented vision of what recruiting can and should become: a profession we can be proud of for its ethical standing, professional conduct and ability to build great organizations.

Karen was a co-creator of the landmark webinar event – “EEOC Discrimination Debate.” This event featured senior members of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and staffing industry experts discussing and debating difficult issues about discrimination in today’s workplace environment. Company executives, hiring managers, recruiters, and human resource professionals from across the United States were invited to participate in the free Webinar and live panel discussion.

Karen also served as one of the panelists on the discussion team in the March, 2006 event.  Karen participates very actively in recruiting discussions relating to ethics, legal issues, and industry self-regulation. She has been consistent with her passionate and tireless advocacy and dedication to providing training to the recruiting and staffing industries, with a special focus on the ethical and legal dimensions. She lives on the west coast with her husband, her swimming pool and her passion to fix what is broken
As co-host of the popular podcast “The Recruiters Lounge,”Karen discusses her frank opinions on the recruitment industry with her co-host, Jim Stroud.