Just how much can my job monitor me?
If it feels like Big Brother is watching you work, it’s because he probably is. Today’s employee monitoring systems are getting fancier by the day, but are they legal?
The short answer (unfortunately) is yes. However, employees do have rights. Keep reading to find out how far your boss might be allowed to go.
Who’s the boss(ware)?
If you thought spyware was just for hackers, think again. Employers are tapping into a whole new treasure trove of employee monitoring solutions, cleverly nicknamed “bossware.” The use of bossware dramatically increased during the pandemic as workforces moved from their cubicles to their couches.
Bossware programs allow employers to look into phone call history, text messages, emails and what you’re browsing on the internet. The latest and greatest systems enable companies to do much more.
One program called Spyzie tracks your activity and location during your work schedule through your smartphone. Another program called Clever Control keeps track of how long you’re at the keyboard. It also allows your employer to quietly turn on your computer’s camera and microphone and record what you’re up to … oof.
Some states, like California, have taken measures to further ensure employees know when and why their personal data is being collected. However, many of the rules for employee monitoring are still pretty broad.
Big Brother vibes
As employee monitoring tech reaches a whole new level, the question on everyone’s minds is … is all of this legal? To make a long story short, your company does have the legal right to monitor you if you’re using a company device.
In some cases, your employer can also track your personal devices. But they must receive consent from you as an employee to do so. If you’re using your own equipment, an employer can monitor your activity on company-provided programs like Slack, Microsoft Outlook and Teams.
Rule of thumb: If the program or device comes from your company, they have the right to spy away.
Know your rights
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