Future Business Ideas

Employee monitoring is increasingly becoming a matter of prime importance. Is monitoring the employee ethical is a million dollar question. In today's highly competitive and highly networked world it has become a norm to monitor the employees. Some of the reasons why employees are being constantly monitored are data breach, data theft and some based on the regulatory requirements. Defense and Government employees handling highly sensitive issues are vigorously monitored fearing traitors and spies.

In IT, ITES and BPO the employees are monitored using latest software and the web based technology. This is mainly done by recording web based e-mail (including AOL, Hot mail, Yahoo), all file attachments and downloads, all e-mails including pop3 (user names and passwords), chat and IM with complete logs, detecting watchwords and notifications and stealth mode and password protection features.

The implementation of employee monitoring software enables the employer to track the employees and their activities irrespective of the geographical location. Employee log in and out time, work hours and the leaves can be easily obtained with the single click of a mouse. The organizations are using the Global Positioning System to track the mobile working force.

Employee monitoring software is used by the employers to ensure that the employees are doing a good job. Interestingly for some employees monitoring them acts as a motivator. But the same can have a drastic effect on different set of employees. They feel intimidated and their privacy being intruded. This is one of the important reasons of employee attrition at call centers. According to the survey done on call center professionals it is observed that the professionals are even monitored on their toilet breaks as frequent breaks might cause a fall in attending the number of clients calls. This is not only excessive, it is really bordering on illegal in most cases. Remember to be ethical in your employee monitoring practices. It is really the right thing to do.

Monitoring the employees no doubt increases the productivity but care has to be taken to strike a perfect balance between ethics and the monitoring process. It is advisable to communicate to the employees regarding the implementation of employee monitoring system. This step makes the employees feel that the employers are respecting their individuality. It should be made clear the purpose of monitoring is not to restrict their freedom but for overall safety. All the policies and procedures of the employee monitoring program should be clearly documented in an 'open book' model. This facilitates the employees to become more responsible and cooperate with the employer. The employees become aware of the risks and rewards associated with the monitoring program. This is good for the company revenue streams as well as for boosting sales, morale, and production rates.