As the gap between the law and how technology and social media are used in the workplace continues to widen, how is it possible for employees and employers to better understand what is and is not acceptable when it comes to monitoring?
The accelerating pace of technological advancements means that employees now have access to more tools than ever before, such as mobile devices and social media. While using these can be beneficial, employers want to ensure that this way of working does not expose them to unforeseen risks. These could include the leakage of confidential information, security issues, privacy, and liability for employee comments or actions.
Therefore, employers have legitimate reasons for setting limits and acceptable usage patterns. It may also be prudent to monitor IT systems to learn what their employees are actually doing and how they are doing it. While technology can undoubtedly do this (most people would be shocked to see IT teams can do this), employers should also be aware of the legal implications.
