As a business, your employees need to be held to a certain standard. In order for them to perform efficiently, they have to be notified that their actions are being watched. While some will say this is a “Big Brother” business tactic, it can save your thousands of dollars of lawsuits.
Monitoring employee computers is mandatory if you want to protect your company’s reputation. So in this quick guide, we’ll show some tips on how you can get your employees on board!
Contents
Start With Written Policies
Before using software, you need to have a corporate policy on device and Internet usage that clearly explains employee responsibilities. Make sure that it supports your case if your organization faces a legal challenge.
Employers need to define security needs and risks, weigh employee expectations. Create rules for acceptable email usage, social network, instant messaging, as well as downloading apps and software. Also, think using an electronic code of conduct for your employees to sign.
The policy needs to spell out how the monitoring process is done and how the data will be stored or destroyed. Protect the business by placing a high-level manager in charge of placing checks and balances in their power.
Technology Software
When monitoring employee computers, try to use software to make your life easier. There is a multitude of products that help with monitoring computers, networks, and mobile devices.
To reduce the chance of office friction, collecting your sensitive information and the time it takes to spend on a task, use technology that alerts you to certain problems, so you can pry less and focus on what matters.
You should also block or filter some Web content, such as hate sites and porn that can create a hostile working environment and grow into a dangerous problem.
Inform Your Workforce
You have to explain the risks to your business to protect its integrity. Start by telling your team about the importance of your company’s digital policy, the limits on employee privacy, and that you’ll be monitoring them.
“Your business needs to have full transparency and consent of your employees before monitoring them. Or you’ll run into legal or morale issues.” Stanford’s risk and security analyst, Andrew Walls states. Also, letting people know that you’re watching can have an important effect.
Only Connecticut and Delaware require their employers to notify their employees about electronic monitoring, but it’s a practice that should be used in every company.”
Reassure your employees by saying “We’re not digital voyeurs. We’re not monitoring you to snoop in on your personal information. We are monitoring you so we can create a compliant workplace. Encourage your employees to keep their private conversations on their personal smartphones and home computers.
Conclusion
To conclude, we believe that monitoring employee computers is dependent on your team. This means that you should create a system that keeps your employees aligned with your policy. Ultimately, you’ll save money, time, and keep your employees dedicated to your company by following these procedures.
Do you have any additional questions about monitoring your employees? Tell us in the comments below.
